Systems and methods of providing a personal digital record

Abstract

There is proposed a method and system for providing a digital medical certificate for an employee, including the steps of creating a unique heath record profile for the employee, creating a unique employer profile for an employer, and creating a unique medical provider profile for a medical provider. The employee authorising access by the medical provider to their unique heath record profile. The medical provider undertaking a medical assessment of the employee and subsequently uploading medical assessment results to the unique heath record profile of the employee. The employee authorising access by the employer to their unique heath record profile or a part thereof and the employer accessing the medical assessment results of the employee, wherein the medical assessment results are verified by an independent verification service provider, which issues the digital medical certificate.

Description

[0001] SYSTEMS AND METHODS OF PROVIDING A PERSONAL DIGITAL RECORD

[0002] FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The present invention relates to systems and methods of providing a personal digital record, also referred to as employment medical passport. In one aspect, the invention relates to a digital employment medical passport produced after assessing an employees’ medical examination or examinations. This can be done as part of employment medical examination or assessments.

[0004] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The medical assessment of employees or potential employees is becoming increasingly common as part of the employment landscape. Medical examinations in the workforce include pre-employment, post-employment, incident, for cause, periodic and exit health assessments / medicals conducted by occupational health professionals to monitor and maintain employees' health according to regulations. In some cases, a candidate may need to undertake up to ten different pre-employment medicals for ten different employers for whom they will be working as a contractor or casual. Moreover, once employed the employee will need to undertake regular medical assessments to remain current in their compliance with regulations.

[0006] This situation has led to issues relating to pre-employment medicals, including increased time and costs due to repeated assessments, heightened privacy concerns from handling multiple sets of medical data, significant operational delays in hiring and onboarding processes, and reduced overall efficiency from redundant tasks. Companies typically require up-to-date medically and legally compliant preemployment test data. As a result, many industries are turning to digitisation as a solution to streamline the process, protect patient and employee privacy, while at the same time ensuring streamlined transfer and sharing of medical data for employees who work across multiple organisations and with their current employer (should there be only one employer involved, e.g. mining).

[0007] So-called health passports are tools that have been used in medical practice to help patients make lifestyle changes to reduce the future burden of chronic disease. The most widely used health passports in practice are mother-child health passports, vaccine passports, organ transplantation passports, disability passports, mental health passports, and disease-specific passports such as autism passports, and cancer and diabetic passports. The data in a health passport, is not a person’s complete medical record, rather it contains specific information on patient demographics, diagnoses, allergies, immunizations, lab test results, medications, and related medical histories.

[0008] Digital health passports have also been used in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. These digital health passports provide verified proof of COVID-19 vaccination status and test results. However, significant concerns remain regarding technical interoperability, standardization, and data integration across different systems, even within the same country.

[0009] Moreover, in workplace health and safety practice, most software applications focus on occupational health and human resource management within organizations for tracking and managing workers' data. These tools are typically designed for the benefit of the organization rather than the employee.

[0010] Other health-based digital work passes are disclosed in the published prior art, such as in US Patent Application 2023 / 298416 and US Patent 11 ,514,737, both in the name of Abbott Laboratories.

[0011] It should be appreciated that any discussion of the prior art throughout the specification is included solely for the purpose of providing a context for the present invention and should in no way be considered as an admission that such prior art was widely known or formed part of the common general knowledge in the field as it existed before the priority date of the application.

[0012] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0013] It is an object, therefore, to provide a digital verification system that addresses one or more of the problems outlined above associated with the current systems, or at least provide the public with a useful alternative. One object of the present invention is to provide a method for creating a secure digital medical passport for an individual, which is owned and managed by the individual, whereby they can undertake a single medical examination and securely shared the resultant medical data with multiple employers or prospective employers. The foregoing objects should not necessarily be considered as cumulative and various aspects of the invention may fulfil one or more of the above objects. In some aspects of the invention the employees and companies are assisted in actively manage health compliance.

[0014] Moreover, the employee is able to have a secure centralised mobile repository of their occupational health data, credentials and related workforce medical information.

[0015] The invention could be broadly understood to comprise an employee medical passport or Employment Medical Passport (EMP), being a digital certificate. The employee medical passport may be a digital mobile application that securely stores employment medical data of an employee. In doing so the work passport becomes the source of truth for employees and their employment medical history. In addition to storing, it also acts as a central authoritative channel through which employees, medical service providers and employers and regulatory bodies can interact. The employee’s data and medical records may be verified by a third party, in real time. Third party may be an external regulated government body that verifies the health records. In this way employees are able to present their employment medical information to new employers thereby negating the need to undergo duplicate, costly, time-consuming, paper-based medical assessments.

[0016] The present invention therefore permits multiple existing employers or prospective employers to be able to rely on the data knowing it has been independently validated and verified. The medical passport thereby reduces costs, time improves health surveillance and regulatory health compliance in addition to risk management, and ensures real time validation of the medical data required by new employers.

[0017] In one aspect of the invention, but not necessarily the broadest or only aspect, there is proposed method of providing a digital medical certificate, comprising the steps of: creating a unique heath record profile for an employee; creating a unique employer profile for an employer; creating a unique medical provider profile for a medical provider; the employee authorising access by the medical provider to their unique heath record profile; the medical provider undertaking a medical assessment of the employee and subsequently uploading medical assessment results to the unique heath record profile of the employee; the employee authorising access by the employer to their unique heath record profile, medical assessment results or parts thereof; and the employer accessing the medical assessment results of the employee; wherein the medical assessment results are verified by an independent verification service provider, which issues the digital medical certificate.

[0018] The employee authorising access by the medical provider to their unique heath record profile may be in house, or external access.

[0019] The medical provider may be selected from a group including, but not limited to a medical doctor, heath practitioner, occupational therapist, mental health professional, or any other qualified person.

[0020] The medical records may be selected from a group including, but not limited to, medical test results, drug test results, occupational therapy result, heath assessment results, mental health assessment results, or any other results relating to the health and / or well-being of the employee.

[0021] In one form multiple employers, having their own unique employer profile, can be authorised to access the medical assessment results of the employee or multiple employees.

[0022] In one form multiple medical providers, having their own unique medical provider profile, can be authorised to access the medical assessment results of the employee or multiple employees.

[0023] The independent verification service provider and or employer can verify the medical assessment results of multiple employees to thereby issue a corresponding digital medical certificate.

[0024] The employee may selectively withdraw the access by a specific employer to their unique heath record profile or medical assessment results. This can be done at the time of employment termination or shortly thereafter.

[0025] The employee may control the access by a specific employer to parts of their unique heath record profile or medical assessment results, for instance where the employee is employed across different industries. In this way the employee can provide relevant results and information to meet industry specific requirements, without divulging unrelated medical information. The reader will appreciate that access to the unique heath record profile and related medical assessment results are controlled by the employee, who authorises access thereto.

[0026] In one form the digital medical certificate is an employment medical digital passport, which covers, pre-employment medical assessments, post-employment assessments, return to work assessments, periodic assessments, incident, and exit medicals.

[0027] In another aspect of the invention there is proposed a medical providers portal. Medical providers may use the system to conduct pre-employment, postemployment, and return-to-work medical assessments digitally. Medical providers use a range of secure digital mobile and desktop applications to undertake the tests and report their medical findings. This portal ensures secure, real time, integration with the Employment Medical Passport Platform.

[0028] In still another aspect of the invention there is proposed an employer management portal. Employers may access a secure web portal and a range of digital mobile medical assessment tools to manage all employment medical records. This portal allows employers to verify the medical status of employees, their medical history and streamline the hiring process by accessing verified health data.

[0029] The employment medical digital passport or employment medical passport may utilise digital credential to provide comprehensive digital data of an individual's health information, specifically tailored for employment. It encompasses various employment-related health data, including medical history, immunizations, occupational health assessments, and other relevant metrics.

[0030] The digital medical passport enables employees to easily share their medical information with one or more employers across various industries and may provide a standardized and independent framework that is tailored for particular industries. The medical passport reduces the need for repeated medical exams, thereby lowering costs, addressing privacy concerns, and minimizing operational delays.

[0031] The medical passport promotes greater employee mobility by streamlining paper-based processes and may provide a digital credentialing tool for managing work-related health assessments, incidents and records. The present invention may therefore allow employees to access and share their occupational health information with relevant providers, employers or potential employers as needed. Unlike general medical records, this passport focuses solely on employment-related health data.

[0032] The reader will appreciate that the key features of the present invention, include, but are not limited to:

[0033] 1. Employer can verify the medical reports or data uploaded and shared with them by the employee;

[0034] 2. Employer can get a copy of the results from the medical provider (employer usually pays so they usually get a copy), but we will have permission in there so they can decide;

[0035] 3. Employee as your method outlines always gets a copy;

[0036] 4. Employee can share;

[0037] 5. Employee uses the system as a secure storage location for credentials, certificates, medical history, results and assessments; and

[0038] 6. We will provide access to and a separate portal or website for the medical provider through which they can securely integrate and share results via a secure data exchange or common platform back end.

[0039] The data held by the digital employment medical passport, includes, but is not limited to:

[0040] 1. Identity;

[0041] 2. Medications;

[0042] 3. Medical History;

[0043] 4. Vaccinations;

[0044] 5. Employee Consent;

[0045] 6. Incident and Health Reporting;

[0046] 7. Credentials;

[0047] 8. Assessment Results and History;

[0048] 9. Training;

[0049] 10. Test Results and Test History;

[0050] 11. Certificates;

[0051] 12. Appointments;

[0052] 13. Messaging between Medical Clinic, Employer and Employee; and

[0053] 14. Their own individual QR code that facilitates the entire process.

[0054] Table 1 sets out aspects or functions of the present invention noting some of the corresponding or related features. The reader will appreciate that this is not a complete list of the functions and features of the present invention and other features or functions may be used without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0055] Table 1 : Functions and features of Employment Medical Passport

[0056] In a preferred form, the method steps are contained within an algorithm of a software program. Therefore, in another aspect of the invention there is proposed a software program for implementing at least some of the steps of the method.

[0057] The software program may be implemented as one or more modules for undertaking the steps of the present invention on a computer system or systems. The modules can be packaged functional hardware units for use with other components or modules. The reader will appreciate that multiple processing units, such as but not limited to, central processing units (CPU) or graphical processing units (GPU) may be used to undertake the steps of the method either at a single or several geographical networked locations.

[0058] Relevant application software may be stored in a computer readable medium such as electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, system, device, propagation medium, or computer memory. In one possible form, the system described herein includes hardware coupled to a microprocessor, microcontroller, System on Chip ("SoC"), or any other programmable device.

[0059] In still another aspect of the invention a dedicated an apparatus may be used for implementing a step or steps of the above method. The dedicated apparatus may include embedded software or firmware with corresponding hardware that is designed to perform one or more dedicated functions. The apparatus may also include processor / s and memory component / s, wherein the data is temporarily stored in the memory component / s, before it is transmitted at predetermined intervals or is interrogated by a separate device to retrieve the data. The memory component / s may be non-volatile, flash or cache storage device / s.

[0060] The processor / s and the memory component / s cooperate with each other and with other components of a computer or computers to perform the functionality described herein. Some of the functionality described herein can be accomplished with dedicated electronics hardwired to perform the described functions.

[0061] Communication between the components of the system may be by way of long-range or short-range networks, such as but not limited to low power radio network, microwave data links, 3G / 4G / 5G telecommunications networks, BLUETOOTH®, BLUETOOTH® Low Energy (BLE), Wi-Fi, LoRa™, NB-IOT, Ethernet, Fibre channel (FC), other types of wired or wireless network, or be connectable to a device that utilises such network / s.

[0062] Some of the components of the system may be connected by way of a communication device such as, but not limited to, a modem communication path, a computer network such as a local area network (LAN), Internet, or fixed cables. Some aspects of the system may communicate in real time via the aforementioned devices for processing of one or more modules at one or more physical location(s) while users are interacting with one or more module(s) at another physical location(s). The system may utilise cloud servers and may include embedded software or firmware with corresponding hardware that is designed to perform one or more dedicated functions of the present invention.

[0063] The software program may alternatively be stored in a computer readable medium on a storage device such as a hard drive, a magneto-optical disk drive, CD- ROM, integrated circuit, a radio or infra-red transmission channel between the computer and another device, a computer readable card such as a PCMCIA card, a flash drive or any other of the number of non-volatile storage devices as either standalone devices or as part of a dedicated storage network such as storage area network (SAN).

[0064] The foregoing is merely exemplary of relevant computer readable mediums. Other computer readable mediums may be practiced without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0065] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0066] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate an implementation of the invention and, together with the description and claims, serve to explain the advantages and principles of the invention. In the drawings, Figure 1 is an overview of aspect of the digital employment medical passport of the present invention;

[0067] Figure 2 is a schematic of the present invention, illustrating the different entities utilising the system;

[0068] Figure 3 is a flow chart of the workflow for an employee utilising the present invention;

[0069] Figure 4 is a flow chart of the workflow for an employer utilising the present invention;

[0070] Figure 5 is a flow chart of the workflow for a medical provider utilising the present invention;

[0071] Figure 6 is a flow chart of a sequence of events experienced by an employee during an employment health assessment, wherein the employee manages the cost;

[0072] Figure 7 is a flow chart of a sequence of events experienced by an employer in relation to an employee’s health assessment, wherein the employer manages the cost;

[0073] Figure 8 is a flow chart of a sequence of events experienced by medical provider during conducting health assessment;

[0074] Figure 9 is a flow chart of a sequence of events experienced by an employee during sharing medical results with an employer;

[0075] Figure 10 is a flow chart of a sequence of events experienced by an employer during receiving shared medical results; and

[0076] Figure 11 is a schematic of a blockchain based quantum safe model of the present invention.

[0077] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED AND EXEMPLIFIED EMBODIMENTS

[0078] Similar reference characters indicate corresponding steps throughout the drawings. Referring to the drawings for a more detailed description, there is illustrated a method of providing a digital work passport 10, demonstrating by way of examples, arrangements in which the principles of the present invention may be employed.

[0079] As illustrated in Figure 1 , the digital work passport 10, also referred to as the employment medical digital passport or just digital passport, incorporates the concepts or Digital health 12, Occupation health medical records 14 and Health passport 16 in general. The skilled addressee will appreciate that the digital passport 10 provides a system or method 18 for securely sharing confidential data between Employees 20, Employers 22, and Health Providers 24. As illustrated in Figure 2, the confidential data may also be shared with Government Agencies 26. The system 18 also provide verification 28 of the confidential data contained within the digital work passport 10.

[0080] The system 18 provides a comprehensive platform tailored to meet the needs of employees 20, employers 22, and medical providers 24 involved in medical assessment and result management.

[0081] Figure 3 illustrates the Employee’s workflow 30, wherein an employee 20, registers as a user 32, allowing them to create accounts and manage profiles by inputting initial medical history and completing necessary details 34. Consent management 36 features enable employees to review electronic consent forms and sign informed consents 38. Medical assessment functionalities 40 include tracking assessment progress, inputting assessment results, and facilitating review and confirmation of results by doctors.

[0082] Employees 20 can access 42 their results, final reports, and certificates through a user-friendly interface, with real-time notifications for result availability and QR code verification ensuring data integrity. The platform also supports handling requests for medical certificates and provides options for sharing results, reports, and certificates 44 with employers 22, who can review 46 and track accessed information while ensuring compliance with privacy regulations. The system 18 also allows the employee 20 to withdraw authorization 48, such as when employment is terminated.

[0083] Figure 4 illustrates the Employee’s workflow 30, wherein an employer 22 utilize the system 18 for user registration 52 and profile management 54, enabling them to add authorized staff and efficiently manage employee documents. This includes searching for employees 56, receiving notifications about shared documents 58, and requesting access to medical results, reports, and certificates 60. Employers 22 can review and audit health assessment results, track employee health data, and manage access requests securely 62. The system 18 ensures transparency and compliance with data privacy regulations, providing a robust framework for employers to access and utilize employee health information responsibly. The system sends a notification to the relevant employee 20 that their records have been reviewed 64. Figure 5 illustrates the Medical Provider’s workflow 66, wherein medical providers 24 benefit from functionalities such as user registration and profile management 68, ensuring credentials verification and seamless onboarding. Assessment management 70 features enable providers to schedule assessment appointments, make payments, manage health assessment requirements, and send questionnaires and consent forms to employees. Medical assessments 72 are conducted securely, with features for documenting findings, confirming results, and generating fitness-to-job reports and certificates. Results management 74 includes sharing reports with employers based on employee authorization 76 and tracking medical history, ensuring continuity of care and compliance with regulatory standards.

[0084] Overall, the system 18 in one embodiment comprises a Downloadable App 80 provides all stakeholders with features for appointment scheduling 82, payment management 84, robust security measures, including user authentication and data encryption 86, and comprehensive audit trails 88. The system 18 prioritizes user experience with a user-friendly interface, support channels, and real-time notifications, making it a reliable and efficient tool for managing medical assessments and health data across various organizational contexts.

[0085] Figure 6 illustrates some of the sequence of events experienced by an employee 20 using the system during an employment health assessment 40. Figure 7 illustrates some of the sequence of events experienced by an employer 22 in relation to an employee’s health assessment 40 and accessing the records thereof. Figure 8 illustrates some of the sequence of events experienced by medical provider 24 during conducting health assessment 40.

[0086] As illustrated in Figure 9, when an employee 20 wants to share medical results 88 with an employer 22, the employee 20 enters their login 90 and either responds to a request 92 or selects a relevant employer 94. The records are then shared 44, wherein access can be withdrawn 48 by the employee 20.

[0087] As illustrated in Figure 10, for an employer 22 to receive medical results 88 from an employee 20, the employer 22 enters their login 90, adds the employee 20 to their platform and then either responds to a request 100 from the employee 20, or sends a request 102 to the employee 20. Once authorised the records are then accessed 104. In one embodiment the system 18 incorporates blockchain technology 106, wherein the access 108 by the employer 22, access 110 by the employee 20 and verification 112 by the independent third party 114 occurs within a blockchain based quantum safe model.

[0088] The steps of the method of the present invention are contained within three general workflows, being the Employee workflow, the employer workflow and the Medical provider workflow. The following is an overview of some of the steps, the reader should however appreciate that the present invention is not limited to them.

[0089] 1. Registration and Profile setup

[0090] Employee:

[0091] • Registers on the platform.

[0092] • Completes personal profile and initial medical history.

[0093] Employer:

[0094] • Registers on the platform.

[0095] • Sets up organizational profile and adds authorized staff.

[0096] Medical provider:

[0097] • Registers on the platform.

[0098] • Completes profile and submits credentials for verification.

[0099] 2. Consent management

[0100] Employee:

[0101] • Receives, reviews, and electronically signs consent forms.

[0102] Medical provider:

[0103] • Sends medical consent forms and questionnaires to the employee.

[0104] 3. Appointment management

[0105] Employee:

[0106] • Requests a medical assessment

[0107] • Schedules an appointment

[0108] Employee:

[0109] • Requests a medical assessment

[0110] • Schedules an appointment

[0111] Medical provider:

[0112] • Receives and confirms assessment requests.

[0113] • Schedules appointments, sends reminders and reschedules. 4. Accounting

[0114] Employee:

[0115] • Make payment

[0116] • Request refund

[0117] Employee:

[0118] • Make payment

[0119] • Request refund

[0120] Medical provider:

[0121] • Receives and confirms payment

[0122] • Make refund

[0123] 5. Conducting Medical Assessment

[0124] Employee:

[0125] • Attends the scheduled medical assessment.

[0126] • Complete questionnaires

[0127] Medical provider:

[0128] • Conducts the assessment, performs tests, and documents results.

[0129] • Confirms results

[0130] • Create a fitness-to-job report.

[0131] • Create certificate

[0132] 6. Results Management

[0133] Medical provider:

[0134] • Input all data in the platform

[0135] • Shares the results, report, and certificate with Employer under the signed informed consent by Employee

[0136] Employee:

[0137] • Receives notifications of available results.

[0138] • Views results and history on the platform.

[0139] • Manages sharing and selective withdrawal of access to the results

[0140] Employer:

[0141] • Receives notifications and reviews shared documents.

[0142] • Requests further access if needed.

[0143] • View results

[0144] • Evaluate results

[0145] • Manages to document The skilled addressee will appreciate that present invention may utilise various known technological methods, some of which are outlined below.

[0146] Frontend

[0147] React: Used for building the web portal interface for employers and medical providers, offering a secure responsive and interactive user experience.

[0148] Flutter (Dart): Used for developing the cross-platform mobile application, providing a consistent user experience on both iOS and Android devices.

[0149] Backend

[0150] Node.js: Serves as the runtime environment for the server-side application, ensuring scalable and efficient handling of requests.

[0151] Nestjs: A progressive Node.js framework for building efficient and scalable server-side applications, used to structure the backend services and API endpoints.

[0152] Infrastructure

[0153] Serverless Cloud Infrastructure: Deployed using cloud platforms like AWS Lambda, Google Cloud Functions, or Azure Functions to ensure scalability, flexibility, and cost-efficiency.

[0154] Secure Data Storage: Health data is stored securely in compliance with regulatory regimes (e.g., HIPAA, GDPR). Encryption and access controls are enforced to protect sensitive information.

[0155] Security and Compliance

[0156] Data Verification

[0157] Health data is verified by an independent third party to ensure accuracy and trustworthiness. This process includes the validation of medical assessments and the integrity of the stored data.

[0158] The independent third party can be an industry medical service provider and / or accredited and authorised agency.

[0159] Regulatory Compliance

[0160] The system complies with relevant regulatory regimes, including HIPAA and GDPR. This ensures that all medical data is handled with the highest standards of privacy and security. Encryption and Access Control

[0161] All data in transit and at rest is encrypted using industry-standard protocols, including the use of quantum safe encryption. Access controls are implemented to ensure that only authorised personnel can access sensitive information.

[0162] Technology Stack

[0163] Mobile

[0164] Employee Access: the mobile application, developed using Flutter, provides employees with a secure digital medical passport.

[0165] The key features include:

[0166] Secure Storage: health data is securely stored on the device with encryption. Portability and Standardisation: employees can easily present their medical data to new employers.

[0167] Accessibility: the app offers a secure, user-friendly interface for managing medical information.

[0168] Web

[0169] The web portal, built with React and Node.js, offers robust functionality for employers and medical providers:

[0170] Employer Access: employers can log in to manage employment medical records, verify employee health data, and streamline the hiring process; and

[0171] Medical Provider Access: medical providers can conduct digital assessments, update medical records, and ensure data integrity.

[0172] In one embodiment, there is provided a Blockchain-Based Quantum-Safe (BBQ) model designed to enhance the security of digital medical passport systems.

[0173] The present solution begins with a thorough analysis of the various stakeholders participating in the blockchain network:

[0174] • Government Agencies: These include health departments and public health authorities responsible for overseeing and regulating the system.

[0175] • Verifier: Regulatory bodies that ensure compliance with health standards and protocols.

[0176] • Health Provider: Hospitals, clinics, GPs, and specialists who provide medical services and contribute to the medical data.

[0177] • Sample Assist: Companies that develop blockchain platforms and provide digital identity services.

[0178] • User: Patients or employees who are the primary beneficiaries and users of the medical passport.

[0179] • Employer: Entities that require proof of medical passports for verification purposes.

[0180] These stakeholders represent the core actors within the system. In a fully implemented system, there would also be integration of legal and regulatory experts, research and academic institutions, insurance companies, and standardisation organisations.

[0181] The Blockchain-Based Quantum-Safe (BBQ) network will involve a comprehensive analysis of these parties to redefine how medical passports are managed. The system will be aligned with major regulations such as the Australian Privacy Act, HIPAA, and GDPR to ensure that the data using and sharing mechanisms over the blockchain adhere to international standards and legal requirements. This strategic approach aims to bolster the security and privacy of medical data while facilitating a robust and compliant data-sharing environment.

[0182] Understanding how health data operates on the blockchain is important. Key mechanisms include decentralization, preventing single points of failure, and consensus mechanisms like Proof of Work and Proof of Stake, which validate transactions securely. Cryptographic hashing ensures immutable blocks, while smart contracts automate processes, reducing fraud. Encryption safeguards sensitive data, permitting only authorized access. Permissionless blockchains offer different access control levels. By employing these mechanisms, blockchain ensures the security, integrity, and privacy of health data, revolutionising healthcare data management.

[0183] The techniques include lattice-based cryptography, hash-based signatures, code-based cryptography, MQ-based cryptography, and isogeny-based cryptography. These methods provide robust protection against quantum attacks by leveraging mathematical hardness assumptions. By integrating these advanced cryptographic techniques into blockchain networks, developers can ensure the security and integrity of data and transactions, safeguarding against potential threats from quantum adversaries in the future.

[0184] There is therefore proposed a model that enhances the security and privacy of medical passports by integrating blockchain technology with quantum-safe cryptography, preparing for future advancements in blockchain computing, particularly the emergence of quantum computing. The system may comprise the following components:

[0185] (1 ) Blockchain Infrastructure: Utilising a decentralized blockchain network, medical passport data is stored and managed in a tamper-resistant manner. Each network participant maintains a copy of the blockchain ledger, ensuring transparency and data immutability;

[0186] (2) Smart Contracts: Programmable self-executing contracts, known as smart contracts, automate access control and data sharing on the blockchain network. These contracts enable efficient and secure management of medical passport permissions;

[0187] (3) Quantum-Safe Cryptography: To safeguard medical passport data from potential quantum attacks, the model integrates quantum-safe cryptographic algorithms into the blockchain network. These algorithms leverage mathematical principles resistant to quantum computing threats, ensuring robust security against future advancements in quantum technology.

[0188] The skilled addressee will now appreciate the advantages of the illustrated invention over the prior art. In one form the illustrated invention provides a method of provided a digital work document or passport. The technology stack and architectural design of the digital medical employment management system services the occupational needs of employers, employees and medical providers.

[0189] The advanced digital medical wallet enables employees to store their employment health data securely knowing they can share it as they move seamlessly between employers. Through a standardised encrypted framework, the Employment Medical Passport promotes greater workforce participation and mobility as employees move between employers and across industries. The solution leverages encryption and mobile technology as well secure cloud infrastructure to ensure maximum privacy, security and compliance and portability of employee health data. Moreover, the EMP provide control for employees over the storage, management and sharing of their employment medical data.

[0190] The secure digital medical employment management platform leverages modern technologies and secure cloud infrastructure to provide a comprehensive ecosystem of digital solutions for managing employment medical data end-to-end. At the centre of the ecosystem is a digital medical passport, which enhances data portability, reduces redundant medical assessments, promotes standardisation, industry and employment mobility, while ensuring regulatory compliance. The integration of React, Node.JS, NestJS, Flutter, and Serverless Cloud Infrastructure ensures a scalable, secure, and user-friendly platform for employees, employers, and medical providers.

[0191] Various features of the invention have been particularly shown and described in connection with the exemplified embodiments of the invention, however it must be understood that these particular arrangements merely illustrate the invention, and it is not limited thereto. Accordingly, the invention can include various modifications, which fall within the scope of the invention. In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising" is used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention.

Claims

CLAIMS1 . A method of providing a digital medical certificate, comprising the steps of: creating a unique heath record profile for an employee; creating a unique employer profile for an employer; creating a unique medical provider profile for a medical provider; the employee authorising access by the medical provider to their unique heath record profile; the medical provider undertaking a medical assessment of the employee and subsequently uploading medical assessment results to the unique heath record profile of the employee; the employee authorising access by the employer to their unique heath record profile, medical assessment results or parts thereof; and the employer accessing the medical assessment results of the employee; wherein the medical assessment results are verified by an independent verification service provider, which issues the digital medical certificate.

2. The method of providing a digital medical certificate in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the medical provider is selected from a group including, a medical doctor, heath practitioner, occupational therapist, mental health professional, or any other qualified medical / health professional.

3. The method of providing a digital medical certificate in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the medical records is selected from a group including, medical test results, drug test results, occupational therapy result, heath assessment results, mental health assessment results, or any other results relating to the health and / or well-being of the employee.

4. The method of providing a digital medical certificate in accordance with claim 1 , wherein multiple employers, having their own unique employer profile, are authorised to access the unique heath record profile, medical assessment results or parts thereof, of the employee or multiple employees, each having their own unique heath record profile.

5. The method of providing a digital medical certificate in accordance with claim 1 , wherein multiple medical providers, each having their own unique medical provider profile, is authorised to access the unique heath record profile,medical assessment results or parts thereof, of the employee or multiple employees, each having their own unique heath record profile.

6. The method of providing a digital medical certificate in accordance with claim 5, wherein the independent verification service provider verifies the medical assessment results of the multiple employees to thereby issue a corresponding digital medical certificate to each individual employee.

7. The method of providing a digital medical certificate in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the employee controls the access by a specific employer to parts of their unique heath record profile or medical assessment results.

8. The method of providing a digital medical certificate in accordance with claim 7, wherein the employee selectively withdraws access by a specific employer to their unique heath record profile or medical assessment results or parts thereof.

9. The method of providing a digital medical certificate in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the digital medical certificate is an employment medical digital passport, which covers, pre-employment medical assessments, postemployment assessments and return to work assessments.

10. The method of providing a digital medical certificate in accordance with claim 9, further including a medical providers portal, wherein a medical provider can use the medical providers portal to conduct pre-employment, postemployment, and return-to-work medical assessments digitally.11 . The method of providing a digital medical certificate in accordance with claim 1 , further including an employer management portal, wherein an employer accesses a secure web portal and digital mobile medical assessment tools to manage all employment medical records, to thereby allow the employer to verify the medical status of an employee or potential employee, their medical history and assist in the hiring process by providing access to previously verified health data of the employee or potential employee.

12. The method of providing a digital medical certificate in accordance with claim 9, wherein the employment medical digital passport utilises digital credential to provide comprehensive digital data of an individual's health information,specifically tailored for employment, selected from a group including: medical history, immunizations, and occupational health assessments.

13. The method of providing a digital medical certificate in accordance with claim 12, wherein the employment medical digital passport permits employees to share their medical information with employers across various industries, and provides a standardized and independent framework tailored to a specific industry or industries.

14. The method of providing a digital medical certificate in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the method steps are contained within a software program.

15. The method of providing a digital medical certificate in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the employee creates the unique heath record profile, manages the heath record profile, accesses medical assessment results, consents to access to their unique heath record profile, medical assessment results or parts thereof, and selectively withdraws said consent.

16. The method of providing a digital medical certificate in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the employer creates the unique employer profile, manages the unique employer profile, requests access to the unique heath record profile, medical assessment results or parts thereof of an employee, verifies or rejects access requests from an employee, and views the unique heath record profile, medical assessment results or parts thereof of the employee.

17. The method of providing a digital medical certificate in accordance with claim 15, wherein the medical provider creates the unique medical provider profile which is verified by an independent verification service provider, manages their unique medical provider profile, receives assessment requests from both an employee and an employer, conducts medical assessment, and shares the results of the medical assessment with the employee, and the employer based on the employee’s consent.

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