5 Benefits of Docker for the Healthcare Industry
Published: 2023-01-29 14:54:53

Docker containers have rapidly become a popular technology in the healthcare industry, providing a number of benefits to healthcare providers, researchers, and patients alike. In this blog post, we will explore some of the key ways in which Docker containers can be used in healthcare and how they can help to improve patient care and outcomes.

## Containerisation of Medical Imaging Software, allowing for more efficient and secure sharing of patient data between healthcare providers


![Image1](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/2dre6yu0gbvo0wwt5jkt.png)



One of the primary uses of Docker containers in healthcare is the containerisation of medical imaging software. [Medical imaging](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medical_imaging) is a crucial aspect of patient care and diagnosis, but sharing and storing these large and sensitive files can be a challenge. Docker containers provide a secure and efficient way to share and store medical imaging data, ensuring that it is easily accessible to authorised healthcare providers while also maintaining patient privacy. Hence, it allows for more efficient and secure sharing of patient data between healthcare providers.

An example of containerised medical imaging software is [DICOM](https://www.dicomstandard.org/) (Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine) on Docker. Docker is a platform that allows for creating and deploying containers, which are isolated and lightweight environments for running applications. By containerising DICOM, healthcare providers can easily share and access patient imaging data securely and efficiently, without worrying about compatibility issues or potential security breaches.

There are publicly available Dockerfiles and Docker Compose files for DICOM. Here's an example Dockerfile for setting up a DICOM server using dcm4che, an open-source DICOM server:

```
FROM eclipse-temurin:11

RUN apt update -y && apt install -y  wget unzip
RUN wget -q https://sourceforge.net/projects/dcm4che/files/dcm4chee-arc-light5/5.20.0/dcm4chee-arc-5.20.0-mysql.zip && \
    unzip dcm4chee-arc-5.20.0-mysql.zip && \
    rm dcm4chee-arc-5.20.0-mysql.zip && \
    mv dcm4chee-arc-5.20.0-mysql dcm4chee

EXPOSE 8080 11112

CMD ["/dcm4chee/bin/run.sh"]
```

Here's an example Docker Compose file to run a DICOM server along with a MySQL database:

```
version: '3'
services:
  dcm4chee:
    build: .
    ports:
      - 8080:8080
      - 11112:11112
  db:
    image: mysql
    environment:
      MYSQL_ROOT_PASSWORD: root
      MYSQL_DATABASE: dcm4chee
```

## Deployment of Electronic Health Record (EHR) systems in a scalable and secure manner


![Image2](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/fydwae8kp9p6rc404w9b.png)



Another key use of Docker containers in healthcare is the deployment of electronic health record (EHR) systems. [EHRs](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electronic_health_record) are essential for the modern healthcare system, but they can be difficult to deploy and maintain. Docker containers provide a scalable and secure way to deploy and run EHR systems, making it easier for healthcare providers to access and share patient data.

Electronic Health Record (EHR) systems can be deployed using Docker containers and orchestrated using Docker Compose. Here's an example Dockerfile to deploy an EHR system:

```
FROM php:7.3-apache

RUN apt-get update && apt-get install -y \
    libssl-dev \
    libcurl4-openssl-dev \
    libjpeg-dev \
    libpng-dev \
    libfreetype6-dev \
    zlib1g-dev

RUN docker-php-ext-install pdo_mysql mysqli mbstring gd

COPY . /var/www/html/
```

Here's an example Docker Compose file to run the EHR system along with a MySQL database:

```
version: '3'
services:
  ehr:
    build: .
    ports:
      - 80:80
  db:
    image: mysql
    environment:
      MYSQL_ROOT_PASSWORD: root
      MYSQL_DATABASE: ehr
```

With these Dockerfiles and Docker Compose files, the EHR system can be easily deployed and scaled in a secure and efficient manner.

## Creation of Portable and Reproducible Research Environments for Data analysis and Machine Learning in Healthcare

![Image4](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/gf5iykmfbtz0mnxnx5kn.png)



Docker containers can also be useful in the research side of healthcare. They provide a way to create portable and reproducible research environments for data analysis and machine learning. This allows researchers to easily share their data and methods with others and reproduce their results, which is essential for verifying and building on previous research. Additionally, by using containers, researchers can avoid the risk of dependency issues or version conflicts that might arise when working with multiple libraries or tools.

Research environments for data analysis and machine learning in healthcare can be created using Docker containers. Here's an example Dockerfile to set up a Jupyter notebook environment with TensorFlow and the scikit-learn library for machine learning:

```
FROM jupyter/tensorflow-notebook

RUN pip install scikit-learn
```

Here's an example Docker Compose file to run the Jupyter notebook environment:

```
version: '3'
services:
  jupyter:
    build: .
    ports:
      - 8888:8888
```

With these Dockerfiles and Docker Compose files, researchers can easily create portable and reproducible research environments for data analysis and machine learning in healthcare.

## Isolation of sensitive patient data in compliance with regulations such as HIPAA

![Image4](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/vjt9yyqtozjfpfswscex.png)



Another important use of Docker containers in healthcare is the isolation of sensitive patient data. Healthcare providers are subject to strict regulations such as HIPAA which govern the handling of patient data. Docker containers provide a way to isolate and protect sensitive patient data, ensuring that it is only accessible to authorised individuals and that it is in compliance with regulations.

Sensitive patient data can be isolated and protected in compliance with regulations such as HIPAA using Docker containers. However, creating a Dockerfile and Docker Compose file alone is not sufficient to ensure HIPAA compliance. Proper security measures such as encryption, secure data transmission, and access control must also be implemented.

Here's an example Dockerfile to set up a secure PHP web application for storing sensitive patient data:

```
FROM php:7.3-apache

RUN apt-get update && apt-get install -y \
    libssl-dev \
    libcurl4-openssl-dev \
    && docker-php-ext-install pdo_mysql mysqli mbstring

COPY . /var/www/html/

RUN chown -R www-data:www-data /var/www/html/ && \
    chmod 700 /var/www/html/
```

Here's an example Docker Compose file to run the PHP web application along with a MySQL database:

```
version: '3'
services:
  web:
    build: .
    ports:
      - 80:80
  db:
    image: mysql
    environment:
      MYSQL_ROOT_PASSWORD: root
      MYSQL_DATABASE: web
```

It is important to note that while the above example demonstrates a basic setup for a secure web application, it is not intended to provide a comprehensive solution for HIPAA compliance and additional security measures may be necessary.

## Development and deployment of telemedicine applications, allowing for remote consultation and treatment of patients


![Image6](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/xs2z18k14v3w5cio1e3p.png)



Docker containers can also be used in the development and deployment of telemedicine applications. Telemedicine allows for remote consultation and treatment of patients, which is especially useful in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. By using Docker containers, healthcare providers can quickly and easily deploy telemedicine applications, allowing patients to receive care from the comfort of their own homes.

Telemedicine applications can be developed and deployed using Docker containers. Here's an example Dockerfile to set up a Node.js based telemedicine application:

```
FROM node:14

WORKDIR /app
COPY package*.json ./

RUN npm install
COPY . .

EXPOSE 3000
CMD [ "npm", "start" ]
```
Here's an example Docker Compose file to run the telemedicine application along with a MongoDB database:

```
version: '3'
services:
  telemedicine:
    build: .
    ports:
      - 3000:3000
  db:
    image: mongo
    environment:
      MONGO_INITDB_ROOT_USERNAME: root
      MONGO_INITDB_ROOT_PASSWORD: password
      MONGO_INITDB_DATABASE: telemedicine
```

With these Dockerfiles and Docker Compose files, telemedicine applications can be easily developed, tested, and deployed, allowing for remote consultation and treatment of patients.

In conclusion, Docker containers are a powerful technology that can be used in a variety of ways in the healthcare industry. From containerising medical imaging software to deploying EHR systems, from reproducible research to isolation of sensitive patient data and telemedicine, Docker containers provide a range of benefits to healthcare providers, researchers, and patients alike. By using Docker containers, healthcare providers can improve patient care and outcomes while also ensuring compliance with regulations and protecting patient privacy.