Enabling Value Co-Creation in Healthcare through Blockchain Technology

Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022 Dec 21;20(1):67. doi: 10.3390/ijerph20010067.

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the need to manage complex relations within the healthcare ecosystem. The role of new technologies in achieving this goal is a topic of current interest. Among them, blockchain technology is experiencing widespread application in the healthcare context. The present work investigates how this technology fosters value co-creation paths in the new digital healthcare ecosystems. To this end, a multiple case study has been conducted examining the development and application of blockchain by 32 healthcare tech companies. The results show blockchain technology adoption's current and potential impacts on value co-creation regarding data and resource sharing, patient participation, and collaboration between professionals. Three main areas of activity emerge from the case studies where blockchain implementation brings significant benefits for value co-creation: improving service interaction, impacting actors' engagement, and fostering ecosystem transparency.

Keywords: blockchain technology; healthcare ecosystem; value co-creation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Blockchain*
  • COVID-19* / epidemiology
  • Delivery of Health Care / methods
  • Ecosystem
  • Humans
  • Pandemics
  • Technology

Grants and funding

This article is based upon work from COST Action 19136, International Interdisciplinary Network on Smart Healthy Age-Friendly Environments (NET4Age-Friendly), supported by COST (European Cooperation in Science and Technology).