Google and The Blockchain
GOOGLE IT
Google has the advantage of being at the forefront of information technology. The growth of IT in the last few decades is simply astonishing, more interestingly there is no end insight and google has shown innovative prowess in both research and business ventures.
GOOGLE IN MEDICINE
Google’s investment in pharmaceuticals, cancer and aging research reveals the company’s foresight and determination to be relevant in the future. Recent investments in Calico (California Life Company), and her goal to extend the average human lifespan by 20 to 100 years though ambitious is achievable.
Wearable medical devices have drawn a lot of attention in recent years as electronic chips have become smaller and increased communication has been shown to improve patient outcome. The market share for wearable technologies in healthcare was projected to exceed $2.9 billion in 2016, comparable only to sport devices. Wearable Technology is setting the stage to seamlessly deliver patient data to doctors in real time and in some cases initiate defined treatment protocol (McNickle 2012). Google's smart contact lenses, will certainly be ground breaking. The patient will be carrying a mini-lab in the lens which is communicating with a medication administration equipment. Such technology will probably be applicable to other medical conditions requiring close monitoring and timely intervention like congestive heart failure and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease just to name a few.
IN EHR
Google could also significant disrupt the healthcare industry in EHR. Google remains in the forefront of IT and may be directing this industry into the next phase of IT development with complete digitalization of information. The healthcare industry will certainly not be spared. Everything that can be digitalized will be digitalized. This tech giant by its capability and size can bring some unity to EHR. The real strength of google in disrupting healthcare and other major industries is in her domination of data and information. The management of “big data” obtained from human interaction with google is a gold mine. In my opinion the integration of the EHR, social media information, patient registries and the development of portals to run on mobile and smart devices will provide the platform to the future of patient care.
How and at what point will Blockchain technology alter the future of Google in Healthcare?
How fast can we go?
Works Cited
McNickle, Michelle. Information week. 10 31, 2012. http://www.informationweek.com/mobile/10-wearable-health-tech-devices-to-watch/d/d-id/1107148 (accessed 03 31, 2016).