While blockchain is often seen as a financial tool, the technology is increasingly being adopted in new and exciting ways. This includes mental health and coaching initiatives, says Dagmara Aldridge (Chief People and Culture Officer at Zumo).
Speaking on the sidelines of the recent London Blockchain Conference, Aldridge noted that there are many opportunities that blockchain technology can offer the mental health space.
‘So probably the most obvious one is around security and storage of mental health records. Blockchain technology offers a lot of privacy. And the encryption methods are much more superior due to their decentralised nature and the ability to keep those records separate,’ she said.
‘It decreases the risk of potential breaches. But I think more excitingly, the interoperability of blockchain (is a key benefit),’ she said. So imagine a world where mental health records or any medical records can be shared between not only mental health practitioners but also mental health providers to improve the quality and the continuity of mental health.’
Securing patient records and preventing misinformation
Aldridge noted that the immutability of blockchain and its global nature can democratise access to mental health support and information.
‘There’s so much misinformation when it comes to the Internet. And I think that can be catered for with the usage of blockchain technology and the creation of peer support networks and peer support groups where people can support each other in their mental health recovery journey,’ she said.
Aldridge added that blockchain technology allows this to be done anonymously and through verifiable ways, which decreases the burden on the mental health system.
However, she cautioned that blockchain is still a relatively nascent technology and that extra precautions need to be taken when dealing with people’s mental well-being. ‘So like with any technology we need to balance how we utilise it because there are potential risks and of course, there are great opportunities,’ she said.
She gave the example of using chatbots and AI machine learning built on top of the blockchain which would act as a first responder to people facing a crisis rather than being relegated to a waiting list of two to three years.
The human element is still needed.
Despite all of the potential benefits which blockchain technology can offer, a human element will always be necessary, said Aldridge.
‘With greater access to things, there is a risk that we become over-reliant on technology and we reduce the human-to-human contact even further. And whilst I’m a great supporter of AI and its capabilities, nothing can really replace that person-to-person kind of interaction.
‘Because the limitation of AI that we often don’t talk about is that the way our emotions are stored, created and processed is actually in our bodies and AIs don’t have bodies. Therefore, they cannot provide emotional support, which is something that only peer-to-peer interaction can provide,’ she said.
Using BSV blockchain for patient records
The healthcare industry is experiencing a significant shift in handling patient data and records. Fortunately, blockchain technology can enhance patient treatment with its secure, transparent, seamless data-sharing nature.
Although adopting the technology may come with challenges, a strategic approach to these challenges makes blockchain technology in healthcare effective as transformative patient care that redefines the standards of healthcare excellence.
