Imagine health care where multiple organisations can work together seamlessly without the usual hassles or worries.  This is possible through smart contracts (SCs).

SCs are not new to us. They are digital agreements that self-execute. They are designed to work automatically without needing manual input. This is a big deal in health care, a sector filled with sensitive information that needs to be protected and shared constantly.  So why is this big deal?

The key players here are trust, decentralization,  immutability, and traceability. These are the reasons smart contracts are so useful.  Smart contracts ensure that data is accurate, unchanged, and can be traced back to its source. This means that health information is always reliable and can be shared safely.

Smart contracts have been used in other sectors for quite some time. Mostly in sectors that require the sharing of information is vital.  BUT here in lies the problem: health care has not kept up.  It lies behind. . Why?  Some notable scientists are of the opinion that: 1)  SCs are complicated to understand. 2)   People are stuck in old ways of thinking. Sc planning and upkeep are difficult. Many studies have used tools to solve these problems and have helped show the benefits of smart contracts. However, there is a gap between these studies and the actual use of smart contracts in health care.

In reality, smart contracts are already being used in some parts of health care. For example, they are used when important information needs to be shared between different systems. There are also companies that use SCs to manage their data. This data could be electronic health records, or insurance data.

Making smart contracts work in health care is not easy. It needs a change in the way health care organisations work and think. It needs a rethink about how to use technology to solve problems. However, it is possible. Many organisations have already started exploring how to use smart contracts.

Will it work?  Will smart contracts be the future of health care?

Do not be surprised if you see  smart contracts being used more in health care in the years to come. What started as a slow movement is picking up speed. But  there is a lot of work to be done. Deciding on how to use SCs  of how to fit them into existing health care systems remains to be seen.

The problem is not that SCs are not a good fit. The problem lies in whether people and organisations can adapt to the change and implement them effectively. .

Organisations and people need to learn more about smart contracts. They need to understand how they work and how they can be used. They need to develop the skills and knowledge to create and use smart contracts. They need to rethink their systems and processes.  They  need to be able to see the advantages and overcome the challenges.  This is easier said than done. It will take time.

The journey to using smart contracts in health care has just started.  However, with its ability to improve efficiency, reliability. And accuracy in health care, they should become a key part of the future of health care.

The Future of Health Care: Smart Contracts and Sharing

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