Published Online:March 2026
Product Name:The IUP Journal of Supply Chain Management
Product Type:Article
Product Code:IJSCM010326
DOI:10.71329/IUPJSCM/2026.23.1.5-23
Author Name:R Sujatha, B Uma Maheswari, D Kavitha and S Sivasankari
Availability:YES
Subject/Domain:Strategic
Download Format:PDF
Pages:5-23
This study aims to review the existing literature on blockchain applications in healthcare, identifying the opportunities and challenges associated with its implementation. A systematic literature review was conducted using the PRISMA methodology to gather relevant studies published between 2016 and 2023. Data were collected from reputable databases, including Scopus, ScienceDirect, ProQuest, and Elsevier, using predefined keywords related to blockchain and healthcare. The search yielded 2,199 documents, of which 62 journal articles were selected for in-depth analysis. Key themes identified in the literature include blockchain applications in Electronic Health Record (EHR) management, data security, clinical trials, medical billing, and healthcare supply chain management. The review indicates that blockchain enhances healthcare management by improving data security, facilitating interoperability, and reducing administrative costs. The decentralized nature of blockchain ensures secure data sharing among healthcare stakeholders while maintaining patient privacy. Blockchain applications in EHRs, supply chain tracking, and fraud prevention in medical billing demonstrate significant improvements in operational efficiency. However, the study highlights key challenges, such as scalability issues, regulatory uncertainties, and interoperability with existing healthcare systems. Despite its benefits, the adoption of blockchain in healthcare is hindered by regulatory constraints, technical limitations, and high implementation costs. Future research should focus on developing standardized protocols and regulatory frameworks to facilitate widespread adoption of blockchain in healthcare.
Technological transformation has changed present and future perspectives on life. The rise of cryptocurrencies and their underlying technology has paved the way for the applicationof blockchain in various domains. Blockchain is a distributed ledger technology that stores transactional data in blocks connected to a chain of nodes (Nakamoto, 2008).