TY  - JOUR
AU  - Velmovitsky, Pedro Elkind
AU  - Miranda, Pedro Augusto Da Silva E Souza
AU  - Vaillancourt, Hélène
AU  - Donovska, Tania
AU  - Teague, Jennifer
AU  - Morita, Plinio Pelegrini
PY  - 2020
DA  - 2020/12/4
TI  - A Blockchain-Based Consent Platform for Active Assisted Living: Modeling Study and Conceptual Framework
JO  - J Med Internet Res
SP  - e20832
VL  - 22
IS  - 12
KW  - health care
KW  - blockchain
KW  - Internet of Things
KW  - aging
KW  - informed consent
KW  - mobile phone
KW  - computing methodologies
KW  - computer security
AB  - Background: Recent advancements in active assisted living (AAL) technologies allow older adults to age well in place. However, sensing technologies increase the complexity of data collection points, making it difficult for users to consent to data collection. One possible solution for improving transparency in the consent management process is the use of blockchain, an immutable and timestamped ledger. Objective: This study aims to provide a conceptual framework based on technology aimed at mitigating trust issues in the consent management process. Methods: The consent management process was modeled using established methodologies to obtain a mapping of trust issues. This mapping was then used to develop a conceptual framework based on previous monitoring and surveillance architectures for connected devices. Results: In this paper, we present a model that maps trust issues in the informed consent process; a conceptual framework capable of providing all the necessary underlining technologies, components, and functionalities required to develop applications capable of managing the process of informed consent for AAL, powered by blockchain technology to ensure transparency; and a diagram showing an instantiation of the framework with entities comprising the participants in the blockchain network, suggesting possible technologies that can be used. Conclusions: Our conceptual framework provides all the components and technologies that are required to enhance the informed consent process. Blockchain technology can help overcome several privacy challenges and mitigate trust issues that are currently present in the consent management process of data collection involving AAL technologies. 
SN  - 1438-8871
UR  - https://www.jmir.org/2020/12/e20832
UR  - https://doi.org/10.2196/20832
UR  - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/33275111
DO  - 10.2196/20832
ID  - info:doi/10.2196/20832
ER  -