The impact of eHealth and blockchain technology in healthcare: a qualitative research of medical professionals of Estonia

This study aimed to analyze the perception of healthcare workers of Estonia on the impact of eHealth and blockchain technology in healthcare, after over a decade of its nationwide adoption, and their perceived benefits and challenges of its implementation. A qualitative research was conducted invol...

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Main Authors: Bruno Soares, António Ferreira, Pedro Veiga
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Universidade Católica Portuguesa, Instituto de Gestão e das Organizações da Saúde 2025-04-01
Series:Gestão e Desenvolvimento
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Online Access:https://revistas.ucp.pt/index.php/gestaoedesenvolvimento/article/view/17686
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author Bruno Soares
António Ferreira
Pedro Veiga
author_facet Bruno Soares
António Ferreira
Pedro Veiga
author_sort Bruno Soares
collection DOAJ
description This study aimed to analyze the perception of healthcare workers of Estonia on the impact of eHealth and blockchain technology in healthcare, after over a decade of its nationwide adoption, and their perceived benefits and challenges of its implementation. A qualitative research was conducted involving a semi-structured interview of eleven participants, selected amongst healthcare professionals such as doctors, nurses and managers of healthcare institutions. The eleven participants referred to eHealth as a great tool which facilitates access to patient’s medical data, saving time and improving communication with other healthcare providers and patients. Data overload, insufficient computer skills and the disparities on access by particular groups of the population are amongst the challenges on the implementation of eHealth. This study highlights the perceptions of healthcare workers, on the impact of eHealth and blockchain technology, specifically detailing its benefits and challenges, after a decade of its adoption in Estonia. There is positive correlation between eHealth literacy and health-related behaviors for health promotion in the future and the majority of the participants are of the opinion that being able to access their own medical data, prescriptions, information about their condition, may increase patient’s compliance to advice and treatment regimes proposed by healthcare providers.
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spelling doaj-art-682d46739fbf484a90337c9c5e60fb7a2025-08-20T02:06:41ZengUniversidade Católica Portuguesa, Instituto de Gestão e das Organizações da SaúdeGestão e Desenvolvimento0872-556X2184-56382025-04-013310.34632/gestaoedesenvolvimento.2025.17686The impact of eHealth and blockchain technology in healthcare: a qualitative research of medical professionals of EstoniaBruno SoaresAntónio FerreiraPedro Veiga This study aimed to analyze the perception of healthcare workers of Estonia on the impact of eHealth and blockchain technology in healthcare, after over a decade of its nationwide adoption, and their perceived benefits and challenges of its implementation. A qualitative research was conducted involving a semi-structured interview of eleven participants, selected amongst healthcare professionals such as doctors, nurses and managers of healthcare institutions. The eleven participants referred to eHealth as a great tool which facilitates access to patient’s medical data, saving time and improving communication with other healthcare providers and patients. Data overload, insufficient computer skills and the disparities on access by particular groups of the population are amongst the challenges on the implementation of eHealth. This study highlights the perceptions of healthcare workers, on the impact of eHealth and blockchain technology, specifically detailing its benefits and challenges, after a decade of its adoption in Estonia. There is positive correlation between eHealth literacy and health-related behaviors for health promotion in the future and the majority of the participants are of the opinion that being able to access their own medical data, prescriptions, information about their condition, may increase patient’s compliance to advice and treatment regimes proposed by healthcare providers. https://revistas.ucp.pt/index.php/gestaoedesenvolvimento/article/view/17686eHealthBlockchainHealthcareEstonia
spellingShingle Bruno Soares
António Ferreira
Pedro Veiga
The impact of eHealth and blockchain technology in healthcare: a qualitative research of medical professionals of Estonia
Gestão e Desenvolvimento
eHealth
Blockchain
Healthcare
Estonia
title The impact of eHealth and blockchain technology in healthcare: a qualitative research of medical professionals of Estonia
title_full The impact of eHealth and blockchain technology in healthcare: a qualitative research of medical professionals of Estonia
title_fullStr The impact of eHealth and blockchain technology in healthcare: a qualitative research of medical professionals of Estonia
title_full_unstemmed The impact of eHealth and blockchain technology in healthcare: a qualitative research of medical professionals of Estonia
title_short The impact of eHealth and blockchain technology in healthcare: a qualitative research of medical professionals of Estonia
title_sort impact of ehealth and blockchain technology in healthcare a qualitative research of medical professionals of estonia
topic eHealth
Blockchain
Healthcare
Estonia
url https://revistas.ucp.pt/index.php/gestaoedesenvolvimento/article/view/17686
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