TEKsystems, an industry leader in Full-Stack Technology Services, Talent Services, and real-world application, has partnered with global healthcare IT market intelligence, research, and standards organization HIMSS Analytics. This partnership was to conduct a focus group with healthcare IT leaders on the topic of blockchain solutions.
In addition to hosting the focus group, TEKsystems will also be attending HIMSS 2019, which will be held in Orlando from February 11–15, 2019. Ben Flock, TEKsystems’ Chief Healthcare Strategist, and Dennis Genetski, Global Delivery Executive for TEKsystems, will be available during the event to elaborate upon the results of the blockchain focus group.
The focus group was conducted to understand the challenges that healthcare IT experts are currently facing with relevance to blockchain development and implementation, and to determine possible solutions for launching pilot programs from concept to reality. Participants in the focus group were asked to consider how blockchain could improve healthcare businesses and what obstacles they may see in the way. They were also asked about top industry short-term and long-term use cases.
During the discussion, participants noted that one of the biggest barriers to implementation of blockchain in the healthcare sector was the lack of education surrounding blockchain, making it difficult for them to master it within their organizations. Other barriers included concerns about data ownership, loss of control of data and revenue streams, red tapes. The fact that healthcare is, by nature, a risk-averse industry when it comes to new technology also acted as a barrier to growth.
“What we’re currently seeing in the healthcare industry is a lot of excitement surrounding blockchain’s potential, but there is some reluctance when it comes to testing and implementing,” Flock says. “Healthcare tech leaders want to know the best use cases that will produce the best ROI, but there is apprehension surrounding being the first to do so. It’s clear that there is an immediate need for education, validation, and quantification. Take provider credentialing—all physicians are required to be credentialed and make that information public and updated annually. Today the process is lengthy, manual and costly. Blockchain technology could automate the entire credentialing process. It’s a great use case because it’s low risk and uses public information, serving up a strong business ROI as a proof of concept.”
