Interview/ Dr.Alevtina Duboritskaya, A Researcher for Blockchain-based Medical Data

 

Postdoctoral researcher Dr.Alevtina Duboritskaya studying blockchain-based medical information, personal information protection, and agent-based data exchange visited Korea last December 01 (Sat) to give a seminar presentation at Seogang University and to plan joint international project. In December 03 (Mon), we interviewed Dr.Alevtina Duboritskaya and professor Suyong Park of Seogang University at Ricci Hall, Seogang University. In December 05 (Wed), she went back to Switzerland.

Professor Park explained about that “Dr.Alevtina Duboritskaya is conducting an unique study on agent-based blockchain system. She believes that cross-bordering of various data such as medical data and international traveling data cannot is only available with blockchain. She stated that a joint system and data base can be created for sharing the information domestically and that blockchain is necessary for the data to cross the border. Focusing on such fields, she visited Korea this year”.  

 

Please introduce yourself.

I completed my doctor’s degree at Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne and I am currently working as a researcher at University of Applied Sciences Western Switzerland and joint researcher at Swisscom (Telecommunication Company). I am mainly studying on blockchain-based medical information, personal information protection, other information protection, and agent-based data exchange. I am also researching on protecting the personal information and privacy when distributing and using such data.

What made you to visit Korea?

I came to Korea for joint study with Seogang University and seminar at Seogang University. I actually started studying medical information exchange with State University of New York and I started joint study with Seogang University in Korea. My goal is to allow mutual exchange of medical data from all over the world.

It is hard for domestic hospitals to manage medical data together. When exchange the data with other countries, it is important to solve the authenticity and forgery issue. In such aspect, blockchain is a very effective field.

Also, blockchain-based agents already made prototypes. When coin companies cooperate with such agents, they can actually solve authenticity and forgery issue when exchanging the information between countries.

I am already cooperating with university research teams and hospitals. However, I haven’t found any start-up business partners. So, I would like professor Suyong Park to introduce me some Korean blockchain companies. It would be great if the blockchain companies carry out global business.

 

Can you tell me the progress of the project?

In research level, I succeeded in connecting the data from actual hospitals and completed tests in blockchain-based exchange. I plan to apply such system in companies soon.

 

Is there any motive for starting such study?

First, the medical fields had issues in exchanging the information. When sending medical data to other hospitals, the doctors experienced the inconvenience of printing the medical data and sending via mail. Also, when sending medical data via online, the hospital had to request consent from patients. There were also cases where the patients forgot about consenting on sending the medical data via online after many years. Therefore, I thought blockchain would be appropriate for the medical field. 

I also have a personal motive. I genetically have a diabetes. However, the hospitals hare having issues in exchanging the medical data with other hospitals and I experience great inconvenience when traveling. When I get sick while travelling, I had to be in the hospital for all day long and even unnecessary information was exchanged. I started studying blockchain-based medical data exchange for such motivations.

In such aspect, I strongly believe that exchange of medical data between countries based on the blockchain would hold great advantages.

Is there any case for applying blockchain-based information exchange?

I know some businesses trying to apply information exchange to some extent. However, blockchain-based information exchange is not available in actual life. Although MIT is currently researching on information exchange, there is no global issue yet. My plan is to promote international exchange between South Korea, United States, and Switzerland. My study is unique as it focuses on global blockchain-based privacy. 

Is there any hospital participating in the system?

Although there is no partner hospital in Switzerland, Stony Brook University Hospital of the United States is participating in the system. Since the system is in the beginning stage, there aren’t many partners. But I plan to increase partners. 

How long would it take for the system to be actualized in real life?

The system involving hospitals from various countries would be technically available within 2 years. However, the most significant issue is the legal problem for each country. So, it would take longer than 2 years.

I am hoping to see more developments through exchange with Seogang University and professor Suyong Park.

 

Reporter Kyeongtaek Lee (mcqingze@gmail.com)의 기사 더 보기

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