The massive mobile technology growth that we are witnessing today has radically altered several sectors. Mobile apps are omnipresent, from the realm of entertainment to the manner in which banking institutions communicate with their customers.
In such a setting, it may not be prudent to assume that all of these developments have had no impact on the healthcare sector. Can we, however, dismiss the rise in the number of mobile health apps as a passing fad? Certainly not. The key aspect that can (and does) stimulate healthcare application development is the plethora of new chances that this form of software provides for the sector.
In this article, we will discuss the advantages of adopting mobile applications in Healthcare Software Solutions and how the healthcare system has changed as a result of the introduction of apps. And we are confident that these advantages will encourage you to develop a few amazing healthcare app concepts.
But first, let’s evaluate if the market for mobile apps in this field is actually as developed as it appears.
The healthcare mobile app market
According to the findings of numerous research, the number of apps developed for the health industry is increasing these days. But, more importantly, it will continue to grow. Based on this information, we may conclude that the demand for healthcare development will rise as well. And the reasons for this are straightforward.
The market’s development is shaped by the wants of its clients. It will be strange to assume that in this age of absolute digitalization, users will say “no” to mobile apps one day. Customers are becoming increasingly demanding, and sellers (as well as service providers) have no choice but to deliver products and services that satisfy ever-higher standards.
The scenario is the same with healthcare apps. In this instance, not only one group of market players, but both healthcare practitioners and patients, have the ability to influence the development of the app market.
The market is anticipated to reach $49.12 billion by 2020. In comparison, the market size in 2012 was roughly $1.95 billion. There are no specific figures for future estimates. However, we can anticipate that the advancement of technologies such as 4G and 5G, as well as the expansion of the mobile device industry, will have an impact on the future of healthcare.
But why is healthcare app development gaining traction? The answer can be found in the benefits of these mobile applications.
Why is it advantageous to utilize healthcare apps?
Before we get into the list of advantages of mobile health technology, it is necessary to note that these advantages apply in both directions: to healthcare establishments and to patients. This quality makes them particularly valuable.
However, let us not concentrate solely on one peculiarity. Let us delve deeper into this topic.
- There is no need to go long distances
Yes, mobile apps today still cannot transport patients to doctors. But, at the very least, they can assist persons living in rural and isolated locations in gaining access to high-quality services, receiving professional recommendations, and scheduling appointments with doctors without having to travel to a hospital only to ask a receptionist to add their name to a waiting list.
Furthermore, such apps allow consumers to acquire drugs without leaving their houses.
- Cost savings
The introduction of a mobile app in the healthcare industry is an excellent way to reduce prices for patients because many chores may be completed through the app.
Furthermore, by connecting with the hospital through an app, users may view the expenditures in real time. As a result, when they receive their final bill, it will not come as a surprise to them or their family because they have had time to prepare their budget.
- Simplified and secure payment processes
When you need to pay your medical expenditures, how does a standard payment method appear (or used to look)? Yes, you can now pay in cash or with a credit card. However, you must spend time standing in line to do so.
With an app, you can do anything in a matter of seconds with a handful of touches. Furthermore, with secure payment methods that are frequently integrated into apps today, you can be certain that your money is protected.
There are also a few more payment-related benefits. First and foremost, if you fail to make a payment, your app will notify you. Second, you can generally choose the best payment plan for you using an app.
- Improved workflow for healthcare professionals
Do you remember how medical personnel used to work with all of their documentation back in the “pre-IT” era? They had to cope with tens of thousands of documents. It is obvious that such a method of working was extremely inconvenient and time-consuming.
Various forms of software now assist doctors and nurses in storing patient records. And smartphone apps are really useful in this situation. Furthermore, using an app, doctors can make recommendations for urgent instances almost instantaneously, perhaps saving someone’s life.
- The growth of the IoT healthcare market
IoT (Internet of Things) is aggressively capturing new market categories. The medical industry is not an exception. The IoT healthcare market is rapidly expanding, and according to certain projections, the market will reach $136.8 billion by 2021.
IoT is capable of facilitating a wide range of duties for healthcare workers by simplifying access to massive volumes of data via smart devices and equipment that, for example, can help track patients’ vital statistics in real-time.
As health wearables and fitness trackers gain popularity, we should expect more serious professional devices to gain acceptance among a wider audience in the near future.
- Improved diagnostic accuracy
Better workflow equals greater accuracy. The danger of a diagnostic error is reduced since clinicians have access to a healthcare data network via an app. Doctors can provide the most efficient treatment because they can see the complete patient’s history.
Furthermore, machine learning technology has the potential to significantly assist the field. Machine learning for medical diagnosis can provide additional support for the doctor’s point of view in order to avoid errors.
- The ability for individuals to track their health status
Patients’ health status is no longer a mystery with a decent app. They do not need to see a doctor to follow up on the results of their analysis. An app can effortlessly display all health parameters.
- The appearance of a new business model
Healthcare mobile app trends have significantly altered the sector. Many patients are already aware that traveling to a hospital is not the sole option if they require a doctor’s suggestion.
Furthermore, applications enable the provision of additional offers to patients, such as referral programs, discounts, and rating systems. All of these capabilities, and many more, are now available owing to healthcare mobile app development firms.
- Patient convenience
Let us acknowledge that any firm or organization that decides to build a mobile application for the healthcare industry prioritizes patients. That is correct. Any healthcare institution that wishes to offer an app must first deliver fresh benefits to its clients.
It is much easier to identify a necessary specialist, arrange an appointment, check reports, get information on any diagnosis, and compare pricing for drugs and services with a mobile app (and this is still not an exhaustive list of all the chances available today).
Furthermore, with mobile apps, there are more opportunities to employ features like video and online chats, which might provide a lot of new prospects for both sides.
- A strong brand for healthcare institutions
This benefit is especially important for healthcare facilities. Despite the fact that mobile applications are highly popular these days, there are still not many firms in the healthcare sector who have launched their apps. That is, by providing a useful mobile app, a healthcare organization has every opportunity to improve its position among the target audience and win the hearts of its patients.
Wrapping Up
As you can see, healthcare mobile apps benefit both sides of the industry. However, they can also provide significant benefits to a third party – regulators. This is another argument that may be used to justify the need to promote mobile apps in this market. For example, a Mobile App Development Company in Dubai can work with healthcare regulators to develop apps that meet regulatory standards and can be used to monitor and track healthcare data, improving overall healthcare outcomes.
However, if you are considering developing an app in this field, keep in mind that the first thing you should consider while developing a concept is the list of benefits that this solution may provide to patients and doctors. Though technological aspects are vital, the value of your app is the most important factor in its success.
