## 6 Applications of Blockchain in Distributed Decision-Making
### Healthcare  
Blockchain technology in the healthcare industry offers a novel method of decentralized decision-making for managing patient data and conducting medical research. It revolutionizes the way data are kept, exchanged, and utilized among many parties involved, such as healthcare professionals, patients, and researchers. The use of blockchain enables a transition from conventional centralized data management systems, which can entail substantial bureaucratic burdens and certain weaknesses, to a more secure, transparent, and efficient decentralized framework [90].  
The decentralized feature of blockchain is highly advantageous in the administration of patient data. Within this system, medical records are distributed throughout a network of nodes, therefore preventing centralization and reducing vulnerability to cyberattacks and illegal access. Every record on a blockchain is marked with a timestamp and connected to preceding records, forming an immutable historical data sequence. The inherent immutability of blockchain guarantees that once medical information is documented, it is impossible to alter or erase, hence preserving the integrity of medical data. Moreover, blockchain technology enables patients to have enhanced authority over their own medical data. By utilizing cryptographic keys for access control, patients have the ability to grant or withdraw data access to healthcare practitioners, researchers, or other parties [91]. This process enables patient-centered decision-making. Such a high degree of control not only improves the protection of patient confidentiality but also increases confidence in the healthcare system, since patients are aware that their data are being handled safely and with their explicit permission.  
Blockchain has the potential to significantly transform the sharing and utilization of data in medical research as well. The system enables the secure collection of health data from many sources while preserving patient privacy, therefore facilitating more comprehensive research projects that need extensive databases. Accessing de-identified patient data allows researchers to obtain a substantial amount of information without violating the privacy of individuals. This enables faster research procedures and promotes the advancement of tailored treatments. Blockchain also tackles substantial obstacles in clinical studies. It may be utilized to monitor the status of permission forms, guaranteeing their currency and integrity [92]. In addition, blockchain enables the continuous monitoring of clinical trial methods and outcomes, enhancing the transparency and dependability of study findings. This feature not only aids in adhering to regulatory mandates but also enhances the trustworthiness of the completed study.  
Despite this, applying blockchain technology in the healthcare sector calls for the overcoming of certain obstacles. Ensuring that the technology is scalable enough to handle the significant volume of data usually found in healthcare environments, building a regulatory framework that especially addresses the unique qualities of blockchain in healthcare, and encouraging a cultural change that makes it simpler for healthcare professionals and institutions to accept blockchain technology serve as significant challenges, among many others ([PERSON] et al., 2020).