TY - JOUR
T1 - A decentralized and privacy-preserving framework for electronic health records using blockchain
AU - Alahmari, Saad
AU - Alshardan, Amal
AU - Al-Wesabi, Fahd N.
AU - Sorour, Shaymaa
AU - Alghushairy, Omar
AU - Alsini, Raed
AU - Khadidos, Alaa O.
AU - Duhayyim, Mesfer Al
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2025 The Authors
PY - 2025/7
Y1 - 2025/7
N2 - As healthcare services have become increasingly digitized, Electronic Health Records (EHRs) have become widely adopted, providing seamless data exchange among providers. Conventional EHRs, however, are extremely vulnerable to cyber threats because patients' sensitive data is centralized and transmitted electronically. The paper proposes a decentralized, privacy-preserving framework for managing EHRs on blockchains in order to address these security and privacy concerns. Using cryptographic techniques, such as homomorphic encryption and zero-knowledge proofs, the proposed system enhances security and ensures data integrity. Additionally, the model facilitates scalable, efficient, and secure access to patient records through the integration of cloud-based storage and blockchain. Using smart contracts, we also ensure compliance with healthcare regulations by regulating access control and authentication. As a result of performance evaluations, the proposed approach is demonstrated to be feasible, and the advantages it offers in terms of security, privacy, and efficiency are highlighted.
AB - As healthcare services have become increasingly digitized, Electronic Health Records (EHRs) have become widely adopted, providing seamless data exchange among providers. Conventional EHRs, however, are extremely vulnerable to cyber threats because patients' sensitive data is centralized and transmitted electronically. The paper proposes a decentralized, privacy-preserving framework for managing EHRs on blockchains in order to address these security and privacy concerns. Using cryptographic techniques, such as homomorphic encryption and zero-knowledge proofs, the proposed system enhances security and ensures data integrity. Additionally, the model facilitates scalable, efficient, and secure access to patient records through the integration of cloud-based storage and blockchain. Using smart contracts, we also ensure compliance with healthcare regulations by regulating access control and authentication. As a result of performance evaluations, the proposed approach is demonstrated to be feasible, and the advantages it offers in terms of security, privacy, and efficiency are highlighted.
KW - Blockchain Technology
KW - Cryptographic Techniques
KW - Electronic Health Records (EHRs)
KW - Privacy-Preserving Framework
KW - Smart Contracts
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=105003976895&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.aej.2025.04.069
DO - 10.1016/j.aej.2025.04.069
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:105003976895
SN - 1110-0168
VL - 126
SP - 196
EP - 203
JO - Alexandria Engineering Journal
JF - Alexandria Engineering Journal
ER -