Though it may still seem like a concept out of a science fiction movie, blockchain is quickly becoming a reality for businesses of all sizes. And as this innovative technology continues to develop, more and more industries are starting to see its potential applications. The health industry is no exception – in fact, according to Greg Van Wyk of Austin Asset, blockchain could hold the key to resolving some of the sector’s most pressing issues. Here’s why businesses in the health industry should be paying attention to blockchain.
The Importance of Blockchain to The Health Industry
The health industry is one of the most important sectors in our society. It is responsible for the well-being of our citizens and plays a vital role in the economy. The sector is constantly evolving and growing as new technologies and treatments are developed. However, this growth also brings new challenges. One of the biggest challenges facing the health industry today is how to keep pace with the ever-changing landscape.
One way that the health industry can keep up with the ever-changing landscape, according to Greg Van Wyk, is by adopting blockchain technology. Blockchain is a database that is distributed and enables tamper-proof, secure, and transparent transactions. This makes it an ideal solution for the health industry, which needs to store and share large amounts of data securely.
Another advantage of blockchain is that it can help to reduce the cost of health care. For example, by using smart contracts, hospitals can automate the billing process and reduce the administrative costs associated with processing claims.
Furthermore, blockchain can also be used to create a secure and tamper-proof medical record system. This would allow for better data sharing between different stakeholders in the healthcare ecosystem, such as doctors, insurers, and patients.
How The Health Industry Can Start Leveraging Blockchain
The health industry has been notoriously slow to adopt new technologies. This is understandable, given the sensitive nature of health data. However, the potential benefits of blockchain technology are too great to ignore.
Blockchain could potentially revolutionize the way health data is stored and shared. It could make it easier for patients to control their own data and for researchers to access anonymized data sets.
There are already a number of startups working on applications of blockchain in healthcare. Some are focused on patient-centered applications, while others are focused on provider-centered applications.
Patient-centered applications include things like electronic health records (EHRs). These systems could use blockchain to give patients more control over their own data, says Greg Van Wyk. EHRs built on blockchain could also be more secure and tamper-proof than traditional EHRs.
Provider-centered applications include things like claims processing and clinical trials. Blockchain could potentially make these processes more efficient and transparent.
The Concluding Thoughts
Overall, blockchain technology has the potential to transform the health industry. It can help to make processes more efficient and reduces costs. In addition, it provides a secure platform for data sharing and collaboration. As the health industry continues to grow and evolve, blockchain is likely to play an increasingly important role. Therefore, Greg Van Wyk highly recommends all operators associated with healthcare start leveraging blockchain technology as soon as they can.