Paper Type
Complete
Abstract
This study aims to assess the environmental impact of an innovative solution utilizing blockchain technology in healthcare, specifically for managing patient consent. Blockchain technology seeks to reduce costs and enhance the quality of care. However, despite being virtual technologies, digital technologies, particularly blockchain, rely on physical infrastructures that produce significant environmental impacts and consume high levels of energy during production, use, and end of life. The environmental impacts of these technologies have been subject to significant scrutiny. A comparative Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) was conducted between two solutions for managing patient consents in clinical trials. The results indicate that the proposed blockchain solution reduces its environmental impact by an average of 44% compared to the current paper-based solution, while preserving equivalent functionality.
Paper Number
TR-1195
AI Translated Summary
Blockchain technology is becoming popular in healthcare, especially for managing patient consent in clinical trials. This study looked at how blockchain could be more eco-friendly compared to traditional paper methods. Even though blockchain is digital, it still needs physical infrastructure that uses energy. Researchers compared the environmental impact of blockchain with paper-based consent systems using a method called Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), which evaluates the environmental effects of a product or system from start to finish. They discovered that blockchain reduces environmental impact by 44% while still doing the same job. Think of blockchain as a digital ledger, a secure way to store and manage data. In healthcare, it can enhance the tracking and security of patient permissions and medical records. However, running blockchain networks requires a lot of energy, which is a concern, especially since its effects in healthcare haven't been fully explored. The study focused on a French project called Consent Chain (CC), which uses blockchain to better track and secure patient permissions. The research showed that blockchain needs fewer trips and less paper, which greatly reduces its environmental footprint compared to paper systems. While blockchain has many advantages, it also faces challenges like meeting regulations and ensuring data accuracy. Despite these obstacles, blockchain has the potential to support global goals for environmental sustainability and social well-being by reducing environmental impacts. The study concludes that with careful planning, blockchain technology could play a key role in creating a more sustainable and efficient healthcare system.
Recommended Citation
Bourdon, Isabelle; Armaghan, Negar; and Martinez, Sylvain, "Environmental Impacts of Blockchain for Patient Consent" (2025). AMCIS 2025 Proceedings. 1.
https://aisel.aisnet.org/amcis2025/translated/translated/1
Environmental Impacts of Blockchain for Patient Consent
This study aims to assess the environmental impact of an innovative solution utilizing blockchain technology in healthcare, specifically for managing patient consent. Blockchain technology seeks to reduce costs and enhance the quality of care. However, despite being virtual technologies, digital technologies, particularly blockchain, rely on physical infrastructures that produce significant environmental impacts and consume high levels of energy during production, use, and end of life. The environmental impacts of these technologies have been subject to significant scrutiny. A comparative Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) was conducted between two solutions for managing patient consents in clinical trials. The results indicate that the proposed blockchain solution reduces its environmental impact by an average of 44% compared to the current paper-based solution, while preserving equivalent functionality.
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