Healthcare App Development: A Detailed Guide

The healthcare industry has grown tremendously in the past few years. The involvement of technology in healthcare has given rise to the number of healthcare apps and software and the number of healthcare app on various online platforms have also increased.

Various healthcare businesses have upgraded their services and shifted to digital solutions that help them attract more target audiences and improve their business’s ROI. Likewise, it is the right time for you to invest in developing a healthcare app that will help you grow your business.

But if you do not know where to begin, this blog is worth a read. In this blog, we take you on a journey that embarks on the breakdown of the complete process of healthcare app development. Along with that, we will also discuss the factors, regulatory compliances, and advantages of developing healthcare apps in detail.

So, let’s start but before, let’s explore some of the latest market statistics of the healthcare and app development development industry.

Market Statistics: Healthcare Application Development 

Before going into the details of the healthcare app development process, let’s check the market stat of the healthcare industry:

• According to a report by Business of Apps, the healthcare app development industry is estimated to grow from US $8.21 billion in 2022 to US $ 35.7 billion by the end of the year 2030.

• A study by Fortune Business Insights states that the healthcare app development industry will exhibit a CAGR of approximately 40% in the forecasted period of 2023 to 2030.

• It is estimated that 90% of physicians use smartphones at work to provide mHealth services.

As you can see these numbers show tremendous growth in the healthcare app development industry, you should upgrade your healthcare business with a customized mobile app. Let’s move to major challenges that may face while developing a healthcare app for your business. 

Overcoming the Challenges in Healthcare App Development

There are various challenges people usually face while developing a healthcare app that you need to overcome to develop an engaging app for the user. 

Some of these challenges are as follows:

Challenge 1: While developing a healthcare app, the security of patient data is one of the biggest concerns.

How to Resolve: A healthcare app must be secured with emerging technologies, such as blockchain, which can help to secure user data from cyber-attacks. The healthcare data of a user is highly sensitive and you must take primitive measures to ensure there shouldn’t be any privacy issues.

Challenge 2: Healthcare apps are sometimes difficult to integrate on different wearable and non-wearable devices.

How to Resolve: A healthcare app must be easily accessible to connect with various wearable and non-wearable devices. You can enable your healthcare app with IoT (Internet of Things) technology to make it easier for the user to get a hassle-free wearable and non-wearable device integration experience.

Challenge 3: The user of a healthcare app can be a teenager, an adult, or a senior citizen. Some healthcare apps are hard to understand which leads to lesser user engagement.

How to Resolve: The design of your healthcare app should be user-friendly so that it should be easy for users to navigate through the entire app. Also, it should contain essential features such as booking an appointment, mPrescription, online medicine delivery, remote patient monitoring, and more, to fulfill the needs of patients of all ages. 

Challenge 4: Healthcare apps are not only used by doctors but also by patients. Providing less health awareness and literacy on a healthcare app can be challenging.

How to Resolve: A healthcare app has various visitors, including both doctors and patients which is why it should contain necessary health awareness and literacy of healthy habits, preventive measures, first-aid instructions, and more, to educate the patients and save themselves from being sick. 

These are some of the challenges that you must include that you may face while developing a healthcare app. Using our healthcare app development solutions, you can resolve these challenges easily and develop a reliable healthcare app.

Develop a Healthcare App With Our Step By Step Guide

As you have read the challenges that may arise while developing a healthcare app and how to resolve those challenges. It’s time to move further towards the development process of a healthcare app. Let’s check the step-by-step healthcare app development guide.

Step 1. Identify the Problem

The first and foremost step in the development process of a healthcare app is to analyze the problem. List the problems you want to resolve with your online healthcare solution. You should also look for other apps available on various online platforms and their USPs (Unique Selling Proposition) and pain points. It will help you design a clear structure for your healthcare app.

You should also analyze your potential target audience. Define the age group, geographical location, gender, niche, and other categories that can define your potential target audience.

Step 2. Define Features and Functionalities

After defining your target audience, you should start outlining the features and functionalities of your healthcare app. A healthcare app is packed with enormous features and functionalities that must draw user attention to provide them with detailed assistance.

Step 3. Design UI/UX

The next step in the development process of a healthcare app is designing its UI/UX. The UI is the first part of the app the user interacts with. Using a healthcare app can be difficult for users, thus you should design the UI/UX of the app in a simple, attractive, and practical way to gain the attention of more users.

You should use attractive background colors, fonts, optimum font size, and other elements of the user interface. A mHealth app should be designed in a way that it must be user-friendly and easy to navigate for the user.

Step 4. Develop a Prototype/MVP

Developing the MVP (Minimum Viable Product) of a healthcare app is a crucial step in the development process. The MVP serves as the foundation for the final product and helps to validate the concept and its features. To develop an MVP, you first need to identify the core features that you want to include in your app. You can then create a prototype of your app to test the feasibility of the concept.

The MVP can be used to gather feedback from potential users to refine the app’s features and functionality. Once you have a successful MVP, you can move forward with the development process of the healthcare app and start building the final product.

Step 5. Test Your App

After developing the final product of your healthcare app, you should move forward to the next step which is testing. Testing is a rigorous process in the entire development process of a healthcare app as it requires thorough iterations.

You should go for various testing methods, including unit testing, integration testing, functional testing, regression testing, and more. These testing processes will help to examine the various aspects of your healthcare app. You can also conduct beta testing to check your app with the real-time users of the app and get the outlook of your potential target audience.

Step 6. Deploy It On Various Platforms

Once the app is tested using various testing methods and is free from bugs, you can deploy it on various platforms, such as Google Play Store, Apple App Store, and more. Make sure your app fulfills all the requirements, rules, and regulations of these platforms so that there shouldn’t be any complications while uploading your app.

Step 7. Support & Maintenance

The development process of a healthcare app doesn’t end just with deploying it on app stores, you also have to provide support and maintenance of the app to the users. Support and maintenance involve fixing any technical glitches, bugs, or errors that may arise in the app. 

It also includes updating the app with new features and functionalities, as well as ensuring that the app complies with the latest regulatory requirements and industry standards.

Following these steps, you can develop a modern and engaging healthcare app that can help you stand out from the crowd, and attract a wider target audience.

Diverse Categories of Healthcare Apps

Now that you have learned the development process of healthcare apps, let’s come across the different types of healthcare apps that you can develop.

1. Wearable Apps

Wearable apps are a type of healthcare app that can integrate the wearable devices of a user, such as smart watches, smart bands, and other wearable devices. It helps users with activity tracking, heart rate monitoring, sleep tracking, smart notifications, navigation services, environment monitoring, and more.

2. Telemedicine Apps

Telemedicine apps are another type of healthcare app that is used for treating or monitoring a patient remotely. With the help of telemedicine apps, patients can consult top healthcare experts from anywhere without the need to move in person. Telemedicine services include real-time online meetings with doctors, remote monitoring, and more.

3. Educational Apps

An educational app for healthcare is a mobile application designed to provide users with information, resources, and tools related to health and medical topics. These apps aim to educate users on various aspects of healthcare, ranging from general health and wellness to specific medical conditions and treatments.

4. Online Pharmacy Apps

An online pharmacy app is one where users can order medicines and get them delivered to their doorstep. The use of online pharmacy apps is growing among users as using these apps you can easily find medicines at discounted prices, clear composition of medicines, and more. Some apps also offer medicine reminders according to the prescriptions.

5. Appointment Scheduling Apps

With the help of an appointment scheduling app, one can schedule their appointments with doctors or book their tests online. Appointment scheduling apps can help users optimize their resources, reduce their waiting time, enhance the patient experience, and more.

Thus, these are some of the common types of healthcare applications that you can develop for your business. 

Advantages of Healthcare Apps

Developing a healthcare app can be beneficial for both healthcare professionals as well as patients. Let’s discuss the advantages of developing a healthcare app:

1. Easy Access to Healthcare Services

Healthcare apps provide easy and convenient access to a wide range of healthcare services. Users can schedule appointments, access medical records, and communicate with healthcare professionals at their fingertips. 

This eliminates the need for physical visits and long waiting times, ensuring that individuals can receive the care they need promptly and efficiently.

2. Precise Diagnostics

Healthcare apps offer advanced diagnostic features that empower users to self-assess symptoms, track vital signs, and receive personalized recommendations based on their health data. 

This enables individuals to have a better understanding of their health status, facilitates early detection of potential health issues, and improves the accuracy of diagnosing conditions, leading to more effective treatment plans.

3. Enhanced Patient Monitoring

Healthcare apps revolutionize patient monitoring by enabling remote monitoring and real-time data collection. Users can track their health metrics, such as blood pressure, glucose levels, or sleep patterns, and securely share this information with healthcare providers. 

This continuous monitoring allows healthcare professionals to detect any deviations from normal health patterns, intervene promptly, and adjust treatment plans accordingly. It enhances disease management, reduces the risk of complications, and improves overall patient care.

4. Save Costs

The utilization of healthcare apps can help individuals reduce their overall healthcare costs in several ways. By providing access to virtual consultations and telemedicine services, healthcare apps eliminate the need for physical visits to healthcare facilities, saving on transportation. 

Additionally, remote patient monitoring can prevent costly complications and hospital readmissions by enabling early intervention and timely adjustments to treatment plans, resulting in significant cost savings for both individuals and healthcare systems.

So, these are some of the benefits of developing a healthcare app for a business. Let’s move forward and explore the features that you can add to your healthcare app.  

Emerging Features of a Healthcare App

There are various features of a healthcare app that make an app attractive and engaging for users. Here we have listed some of the emerging features of a healthcare app that you must add to your healthcare app.

1. Online Appointment Booking

Healthcare apps offer the convenience of online appointment booking, allowing users to schedule their appointments with healthcare providers seamlessly. This feature of a healthcare app eliminates the need for phone calls or physical visits, saving time and ensuring efficient healthcare delivery. 

Users can browse through available time slots, select a suitable appointment, and receive confirmation, all within a few clicks.

2. Alerts & Reminders

Healthcare apps provide personalized alerts and reminders to help users stay on top of their healthcare routines. These reminders can include medication schedules, upcoming appointments, or health screenings. 

The app sends notifications at the designated times, ensuring timely adherence to treatment plans and promoting better health management.

3. Online Medicine Delivery

To enhance convenience, healthcare apps now offer online medicine ordering and delivery services. This feature of a healthcare app is liked by a larger number of users. Users can conveniently order their prescribed medications from within the app, eliminating the need to visit a physical pharmacy. 

The app connects users with partner pharmacies, and users can track their orders and receive doorstep delivery, ensuring timely access to essential medicines.

4. mPrescription

Healthcare apps simplify the prescription process through their mPrescription features. Healthcare providers can generate digital prescriptions within the app and securely share them with patients. 

This eliminates the need for paper prescriptions and enables easy access to prescriptions for medication refills or consultations with other healthcare professionals, streamlining the overall healthcare journey.

5. Report Analysis

Healthcare apps go beyond storing medical reports by offering analysis and interpretation features. Users can upload their medical reports, such as lab results or imaging scans, and the app provides understandable insights and explanations. 

This empowers individuals to have a better understanding of their health status, facilitating informed discussions with healthcare providers and supporting proactive healthcare decision-making.

6. Electronic Health Record (EHR)

Healthcare apps prioritize the management of Electronic Health Records (EHR). With this feature of a healthcare app, users can securely store and access their medical history, test results, and treatment records within the app. 

This centralized and easily accessible health information enhances continuity of care across healthcare providers, ensuring comprehensive and coordinated healthcare services.

7. Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM)

Integrating the Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) feature of a healthcare app, allows users to monitor their health parameters continuously. These apps connect with wearable devices or home monitoring kits to track vital health signs, such as heart rate, blood pressure, or glucose levels. 

Healthcare providers can remotely access and analyze this data, enabling proactive interventions and personalized care.

8. Telehealth

Telehealth features in healthcare apps revolutionize the way individuals access healthcare services. Users can have virtual consultations with healthcare professionals, regardless of their physical location. 

Through secure video calls or audio chats, users can seek medical advice, receive diagnoses, discuss treatment plans, or ask questions, ensuring convenient and timely access to healthcare expertise.

9. Video Conferencing

Healthcare apps incorporate video conferencing capabilities to enable virtual face-to-face interactions between patients and healthcare providers. This feature of a healthcare app enhances the quality of remote consultations, allowing healthcare professionals to visually examine patients, discuss symptoms, and provide personalized recommendations. 

Video conferencing promotes effective communication and fosters a stronger patient-provider relationship.

10. Wearable Integration

Healthcare apps seamlessly integrate with wearable devices, such as fitness trackers or smartwatches, to monitor health data continuously. The app collects data on physical activity, sleep patterns, heart rate, or other vital signs from these wearables. 

This integration provides users with real-time insights into their overall health and well-being, empowering them to make informed decisions and track their progress.

11. Seamless Payment

Healthcare apps prioritize a seamless payment experience for users. They offer secure and convenient payment options for services such as consultations, medication purchases, or lab tests. 

Users can make payments within the app using various methods, such as credit/debit cards or digital wallets. This feature ensures a hassle-free and convenient payment process, eliminating the need for cash transactions.

12. Multi-Lingual

To cater to diverse populations, healthcare apps increasingly provide multilingual support. Users can access the app and receive healthcare information in their preferred language, promoting inclusivity and ensuring effective communication between healthcare providers and patients with language barriers. 

This feature of a healthcare app enhances accessibility and user experience, increasing the reach and impact of healthcare services.

13. Smart Customer Support

Healthcare apps incorporate smart customer support features, such as chatbots or AI-powered assistants, to enhance user experience and provide instant support. These virtual assistants can address user queries, provide guidance, or offer basic medical information. 

Smart customer support ensures that individuals can access the help they need whenever required, improving engagement and satisfaction with the app.

By integrating these modern features into your healthcare app, you can make it more innovative and intuitive. These features of a healthcare app can easily drive user attention to your app and increase app engagement.

Following the Best Practices of the Healthcare Industry

There are various rules and regulations that you should follow while developing a healthcare app. Some of these rules and regulations are as follows:

1. HIPAA

HIPAA stands for Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 which helps healthcare businesses to secure their information, and data privacy, safeguard prescriptions and hospital reports, and more. It is essential to use HIPAA compliance for healthcare apps especially those that are enabled with EHR (electronic health records).

2. GDPR

GDPR stands for the General Data Protection Regulations, which is a European data protection law. This law can be used for both European and non-European organizations as it can minimize data collection, design product privacy, obtain informed consent, enable user rights, implement strong security measures, and more.

3. HL7/FHIR

HL7/FHIR stands for Health Level Seven/ Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources compliance that defines the regulations to share the online. The healthcare data exchanged online between two systems must not be tempered while moving from one system to another. 

This practice is based on internet data sharing and its security and privacy. It helps to secure user healthcare data.

4. OWASP

OWASP is an abbreviation for the Open Worldwide Application Security Project. It is a non-profit foundation that helps to improve the security of your healthcare app. 

It secures your app from unstable data exposure, collapsed authentication, external entities, broken access control, security misconfiguration, and more.

5. IEC 62443

IEC 62443 are compliances that set a standard for industrial automation and control system security. It can help users and healthcare organizations secure their apps from cyber-attacks and other security threats.

Other than these, you should also follow HAPI and HITECH for compliant software development and DICOM, FHIR, ICPC-2, CDA, ICD-10, and CPT which are healthcare standards for effective coding styles.

Integrating Cutting-Edge Technologies in Your Healthcare Apps

This is the era of technology and we need to evolve accordingly. Integrating your healthcare app with cutting-edge technology will help you stay ahead of the curve. Let’s have a look at some of those technologies that can help you make your app more engaging and interactive.

1. AI & ML

By integrating artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) algorithms into healthcare apps, you can leverage powerful data analysis and pattern recognition capabilities. AI and ML can assist in diagnosing diseases, predicting outcomes, personalizing treatment plans, and improving patient monitoring. 

These technologies can analyze vast amounts of medical data, learn from patterns, and provide valuable insights to healthcare professionals, enhancing the accuracy and efficiency of healthcare delivery.

2. Cloud Computing

Cloud computing offers numerous benefits for healthcare apps. By leveraging cloud infrastructure, you can securely store and access large volumes of health data, including electronic health records (EHR). 

Cloud-based apps enable seamless data sharing between healthcare providers, facilitate remote access to patient information, and enhance collaboration among medical teams. 

Additionally, cloud computing ensures scalability, reliability, and cost-effectiveness in managing healthcare app resources.

3. IoMT

IoMT refers to the network of medical devices, wearables, and sensors interconnected through the internet. Integrating IoMT technology in healthcare apps allows for real-time monitoring of patient health parameters, such as heart rate, blood pressure, or glucose levels. 

This enables remote patient monitoring, early detection of health issues, and timely intervention. IoMT also facilitates data-driven decision-making, improves patient engagement, and enhances overall healthcare outcomes.

4. Blockchain

Blockchain technology offers enhanced security, privacy, and interoperability in healthcare apps. By leveraging blockchain, you can ensure tamper-proof storage and sharing of sensitive patient data, such as medical records or consent forms. 

Blockchain technology enables secure patient identification, streamlines data exchange between healthcare providers, and enhances data integrity. 

Additionally, blockchain-based smart contracts can automate and streamline healthcare processes, such as insurance claims or supply chain management, reducing administrative overhead and improving efficiency.

Thus, by integrating these emerging technologies into your healthcare app or software, you can fulfill your patients’ needs, enhance their user experience, and make your app stand out from the competition. 

Conclusion

In conclusion, healthcare apps have become an essential part of the healthcare industry. With the increasing involvement of technology in the healthcare sector, the healthcare app development industry is estimated to grow tremendously in the coming years.

To develop a healthcare app for your existing healthcare business, you can contact the best healthcare app development company. Quytech has 12+ years of experience in developing secure and intuitive healthcare apps. We have successfully delivered various mobility apps for our remarkable healthcare clients. We develop innovative healthcare solutions by understanding client requirements and providing solutions accordingly.

 You can visit our portfolio to get more information on the same.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are mHealth apps?

mHealth is a healthcare app that can be used on smartphones and can be integrated into wearable and non-wearable devices. These apps can help to examine the calorie count, water intake, workout, and other activities of a person.

2. How much time is required to develop a healthcare app?

It may take around 3 months to 6 months, or even more to develop a healthcare app, depending on the complexity of the app.

3. What is the cost of developing a healthcare app?

It is difficult to calculate the exact cost of developing a healthcare app, as it depends on various factors, such as the app’s platform, features and functionality, size, and others. You can contact our experts to get more details.

4. How can I monetize my healthcare app?

The monetization strategies that you can use in a healthcare app are:

• In-app purchases

• In-app advertisements

• Subscriptions

• Promotions

• Partnerships

5. What technologies are most used in healthcare apps?

The most used technologies in healthcare apps are:

• AI & ML

• IoMT

• Blockchain

• Cloud Computing