Blockchain-Enabled Secure Credentialing and Access Management for Remote Healthcare Providers and Patients Across Fragmented Digital Health Platforms
Lisa Mmesoma Udechukwu
*
University of Southern California, 3551 Trousdale Pkwy, Los Angeles, CA 90089, United States.
Oluwadayo Mafolasere Olaniyi
University of the Cumberlands, 6178 College Station Drive, Williamsburg, KY 40769, United States of America.
Eweoya Adebukola Oluyinka
Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Along Oyo, Ilorin Road, 210214, Ogbomoso, Oyo State, Nigeria.
Omobolaji Olufunmilayo Olateju
University of Ibadan, Oduduwa Road, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria.
Rukayat Oluwabukola Olasege
Ottawa University, 1001 South Cedar Street, Ottawa, KS 66067, United States.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
This research developed a blockchain-enabled framework to enhance secure credentialing and access management for remote healthcare providers and patients across fragmented digital health platforms. Addressing inefficiencies in traditional systems such as lengthy verification delays and data silos, the study employed a design science approach, integrating Hyperledger Fabric and Ethereum smart contracts. Simulations using synthetic healthcare datasets demonstrated a significant improvement, including a 99.99% reduction in credential verification time (to 14 seconds), a 650% throughput increase (to 1,876 TPS), and a 94.7% reduction in security breaches, with 97.8% interoperability success across 234 systems. The framework achieved 99.93% authentication accuracy and 41% administrative cost savings. While results show strong potential, the reliance on simulations may not capture full real-world complexities, and high initial deployment costs remain a constraint. Regulatory compliance, particularly with evolving standards such as HIPAA, was considered essential for implementation. Future work will focus on real-world pilot deployments, AI-driven fraud detection, and the establishment of standardized protocols to support scalability and interoperability. Overall, this study advances secure and efficient healthcare delivery by enabling real-time credentialing and interoperable access, fostering patient-centric care in telemedicine.
Keywords: Blockchain, credentialing, remote healthcare, interoperability, access management