This is the Health Science Data slide deck by Nicole Tay from the core curriculum in Science Distributed's Chain Event: Georgetown, a blockchain in health science research symposium held at Georgetown University on 12 May 2018

1. Health Science Data
&
Blockchain Technology
Nicole Tay, MPH

3. How can we use blockchain as a tool for
better health science?
GOOD FOR NOT GOOD FOR
• Immutable real-time record of events
• Highly sensitive information (security)
• Small data (like transactions) on-chain
• “Mediator” in network of disparate parties
• Automating certain processes
• Storing large data on-chain
• MOST PROBLEMS

4. Multi-site Study Design
• Multiple PIs working from multiple
respective sites, running the same study
• Good: Enrollment #s, diverse locations &
diverse populations à external validity
• Bad: Coordination/ administrative lag,
Human error

5. Blockchain for Pre-data Collection
• IRB approval process
• Multiple IRB approvals required for
each site
• Changes to study materials introduces
error and inconsistencies
• Same study reviewed at different levels

6. Blockchain for Data Collection
• Multi-site research
• Real-time bio-surveillance
• Estonian government
• The power of aggregate health data without
compromising patient privacy
• Possibilities for clinical trial recruitment
• Sourcing patient data directly from patients!

7. Blockchain for data sharing
• $200 BN annually on redundant and poorly designed research
• Off-chain databases, immutable record of peer-to-peer transactions
• Scientists retain ownership of data with full transparency
• Can also use blockchain as a record of corroborated/added findings
Sharing is difficult!
• Security Risks
• Trust “Lost” Science
Redundant Science;
Inefficient Spending

8. Greenspan’s Rules for
“Avoiding a Pointless Blockchain Project”
• Shared database
• Multiple writers
• Absence of trust
• Disintermediation
• Transaction interaction
• Set the rules
• Pick your validators
• Back your assets

9. Big Take-aways
• Better methods make for better science
• Blockchain as a tool for better science
• --but is NOT a silver bullet
• Big data on the blockchain makes it slow
• Storage of research off-chain, Transactions recorded on-chain
• Collaboration within and across disciplines is crucial!