[论文解读] Applying Software Patterns to Address Interoperability in Blockchain-based Healthcare Apps

Peng Zhang, Jules White+2 more|arXiv (Cornell University)|Jun 5, 2017

Blockchain Technology Applications and Security参考文献 3被引用 96

一句话总结

本文主张使用基础的软件设计模式（Abstract Factory、Flyweight、Proxy、Publisher-Subscriber）来模块化和扩展基于区块链的医疗应用，通过 DASH 案例研究来解决互操作性挑战。

ABSTRACT

Since the inception of the Bitcoin technology, its underlying data structure--the blockchain--has garnered much attention due to properties such as decentralization, transparency, and immutability. These properties make blockchains suitable for apps that require disintermediation through trustless exchange, consistent and incorruptible transaction records, and operational models beyond cryptocurrency. In particular, blockchain and its smart contract capabilities have the potential to address healthcare interoperability issues, such as enabling effective interactions between users and medical applications, delivering patient data securely to a variety of organizations and devices, and improving the overall efficiency of medical practice workflow. Despite the interest in using blockchain for healthcare interoperability, however, little information is available on the concrete architectural styles and patterns for applying blockchain to healthcare apps. This paper provides an initial step in filling this gap by showing: (1) the features and implementation challenges in healthcare interoperability, (2) an end-to-end case study of a blockchain-based healthcare app we are developing, and (3) how applying foundational software patterns can help address common interoperability challenges faced by blockchain-based healthcare apps.

研究动机与目标

• 在区块链和智能合约的背景下，激发并界定医疗保健的互操作性。
• 识别基于区块链的医疗应用的架构特征与实现挑战。
• 演示软件设计模式如何解决区块链医疗应用中的互操作性挑战。
• 提供一个端到端的案例研究（DASH）以说明基于模式的解决方案。

提出的方法

• 描述与医疗互操作性相关的区块链概念和以太坊智能合约。
• 分析医疗保健领域的互操作性挑战（可演化性、数据存储、安全性和可扩展的通知）。
• 提出一个端到端的案例研究（DASH）并记录遇到的实现挑战。
• 将四个基础模式（Abstract Factory、Flyweight、Proxy、Publisher-Subscriber）应用于 DASH 以解决互操作性问题。
• 讨论模式之间的交互以及基于模式的设计在以太坊为基础的医疗应用中的权衡。

实验结果

研究问题

• RQ1 如何应用软件模式来提高基于区块链的医疗应用的模块化和互操作性？
• RQ2 在医疗保健领域，Abstract Factory、Flyweight、Proxy 和 Publisher-Subscriber 模式可以解决哪些互操作性挑战？
• RQ3 在医疗情境下将这些模式应用于以太坊智能合约时，实际的设计与实现考虑因素有哪些？
• RQ4 基于模式的设计如何影响类似 DASH 的应用的演化、存储效率、安全性和可扩展性？

主要发现

• 基础模式可以对区块链医疗应用进行模块化和扩展，减少强耦合并促进演化。
• Flyweight 通过在许多患者账户之间共享共用的内在数据，同时将外在数据分离，从而帮助最小化链上存储。
• Proxy 提供了一种通过链下或基于代理的访问模式来在链上数据不可变性、隐私和可升级性之间取得平衡的方法。
• Publisher-Subscriber 使对护理团队的可扩展、事件驱动的通知成为可能，而不必让区块链承受持续的事件处理负担。
• DASH 案例研究揭示了初始挑战（强耦合、资源重复、可扩展性）并展示了模式采用如何解决这些问题。