Designing a Practical Blockchain-Based Model for Electronic Health Records (EHR) in Iraqi Medical Institutions

Abstract

In Iraq, the fragmented systems within the healthcare sector struggle to protect patient-sensitive data, maintain data integrity, and enable interoperability, as highlighted. This review will focus on how blockchain technology can overcome these earlier challenges by improving the security and efficiency of information systems. Health Information Systems (HIS) are challenged with data breaches, cyber-attacks, and an interoperability gap in their healthcare information infrastructure due to blockchain decentralized, immutable transparency qualities. It creates a safe place for medical records storage and operation that can improve data integrity, security, privacy, and ease of use, eventually decreasing administrative inefficiency. This paper discusses the current situation of HIS in Iraq, which is faced with a lack of resources, poor standardization, and little technology uptake due to resistance. It analyses blockchain-enabled solutions to secure e-health records (EHR) and health information exchange HIE or clinical decision support systems (CDSS) to improve health delivery. Primary interventions implemented at the community level (e.g., identified key strengths of blockchain, including data security, patient outcomes, and process streamlining). The model of the blockchain-based EHR system in the Iraqi healthcare system is proposed and demonstrated, thus highlighting the need for technical development, regulatory basis, and stakeholder collaboration. We will discuss some challenges like scaling, regulatory burden, and technical specialty. The paper comes to an end by suggesting pragmatic solutions, which are implementation-phased, capability-building, and embracing standards. With blockchain, Iraqi medical establishments will enhance the quality of care by creating an encrypted, patient-centered.