Please describe your proposed solution.
Our proposed solution aims to integrate the Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources (FHIR) standard with the Cardano blockchain to address the challenges in health data exchange. We perceive the problem as a lack of transparency, trust, and interoperability in the current healthcare data exchange system.
Our approach combines the strengths of FHIR, an API-focused standard for health data exchange, with the secure and immutable nature of the Cardano blockchain. By leveraging blockchain technology, we ensure the verifiability, privacy, and integrity of health data transactions.
To demonstrate the impact of our solution, we will conduct a proof of concept to showcase the benefits of the FHIR-Cardano integration, such as improved data exchange auditability. Simply put, the FHIR will power the exchange between two facilities (A & B). The exchange will only happen upon a handshake in Cardano blockchain where a proof of transaction will also be recorded.
What sets our solution apart is the unique combination of FHIR and Cardano blockchain, which provides a secure and transparent platform for health data exchange. This solution benefits healthcare providers by enabling efficient and trustworthy data sharing, patients by safeguarding their privacy, and Cardano by showcasing the blockchain's potential in revolutionizing healthcare systems. Ensuring safe and reliable health data accessibility is vital to Cardano's mission of building a decentralized and inclusive ecosystem that positively impacts global industries.
How does your proposed solution address the challenge and what benefits will this bring to the Cardano ecosystem?
The proposed solution directly addresses the challenge by integrating the Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources (FHIR) standard with the Cardano blockchain. This integration brings several benefits to the Cardano ecosystem:
- Enhanced Data Security and Privacy: By leveraging the blockchain's immutability and cryptographic features, our solution ensures secure and private health data exchange. This fosters trust among participants in the Cardano ecosystem and strengthens data protection.
- Increased Adoption and Community Growth: The integration of FHIR with Cardano can open up new opportunities for healthcare providers to engage with the Cardano ecosystem. This integration encourages health IT providers to adopt Cardano and leverage its capabilities, thus expanding the user base and driving community growth.
- Interoperability and Efficiency: The integration enables seamless data exchange between healthcare providers, promoting interoperability and streamlining healthcare operations. This efficiency gains value for the Cardano ecosystem by demonstrating the scalability and usability of blockchain technology in solving key challenges within the healthcare industry.
- Compliance with Healthcare Regulations: As the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) mandates the use of FHIR for health IT providers, our solution aligns with regulatory requirements. By integrating FHIR with Cardano blockchain, we ensure future compliance and position Cardano as a leading platform for healthcare data exchange.
While quantifying the exact impact is challenging, our project aims to attract healthcare providers and industry stakeholders to the Cardano ecosystem over the long term.
Note that this project is to build a proof of concept (POC). The benefits mentioned will take place upon the actual adoption of the concept.
How do you intend to measure the success of your project?
<u>Proof of Concept</u>
Note that the proposed project will be a proof of concept (POC) stage to show two health facilities exchanging via FHIR (from facility A server to facility B serve) and the proof of transaction is placed in Cardano blockchain. The exchange only happens upon a handshake made in the blockchain by the two parties. This is how the success of the project will be measured.
<u>Technical Measures</u>
To ensure technical success and productivity, the project will implement measures such as code stability, simplicity, testability, team velocity, and knowledge sharing. Stable code, simplicity in design, comprehensive testing, and collaborative practices will be prioritized to maintain high-quality development standards.
Please describe your plans to share the outputs and results of your project?
Developers Community:
- Github: The project's outputs, such as the app's source code and documentation, will be shared here. Hopefully, this will engage developers, encourage collaboration, and potentially lead to further improvements and contributions.
- Reddit: The project's app and its features can be posted on platforms like Reddit. This will potentially generate visibility and attract attention from developers, entrepreneurs, and tech enthusiasts.
User Reviews and Feedback:
Over time, users of the app will provide reviews and feedback on the said platforms. These reviews will be valuable in evaluating usability, identifying gaps, and understanding user needs. The feedback will guide future versions of the app and inform further research and development activities.
Research and Development:
The results generated from the project, including user feedback, technical insights, and lessons learned, will be utilized in future research and development activities. The project team (and others who are working on this open source) can analyze the data and identify opportunities for improvement, innovation, and expansion. This iterative process will fuel ongoing advancements and ensure that the project remains responsive to evolving user needs and technological advancements.
By employing these dissemination strategies and leveraging user feedback, the project aims to engage the developer community, generate awareness and interest, and utilize the project's outputs to drive further research, development, and innovation.