Key trends in healthcare mobile app development
Healthcare mobile development has become a key driver of innovation, responding to the growing demand within the healthcare industry.
According to a 2024 report by leading market research company Technavio, it's estimated that by 2026, about $29 billion will be invested in cloud computing and technologies within the US healthcare market—valued at $665 billion by 2028.
Unsurprisingly, in the last few years, the healthcare industry and medical institutions specifically have turned to companies like Accelone for their expertise in developing mobile app services. This trend, coined mHealth, is growing in importance across different segments within the industry and is expected to continue as digital health becomes the norm rather than the exception.
What are healthcare apps?
Healthcare apps are technological applications devoted to improving people's health. Most are mobile solutions built to cooperate with healthcare institutions by enhancing the patient engagement experience.
For about the last decade, healthcare app development has branched into different types of digital health services. These services are set to improve every sector within the healthcare industry, improving engagement with patients and equipping them with a deeper understanding of their health status.
How mobile apps are transforming healthcare
Today, patient-doctor relationships are increasingly digital. Whether it's the calendar app on your phone to save an appointment or a wearable device that monitors your heart rate, software for the healthcare industry is becoming more and more relevant. Here are a few reasons why:
Increased Patient Engagement
Whether through apps or wearable tech, new tools and software place users, patients, at the center of the equation. As the adoption of such devices and technology grows, so does the sense of responsibility over owning one's health.
With greater access to monitoring and tracking vital signs, patients with health-related conditions can become more aware of blood sugar levels, carbohydrate intake, heart rate, etc. This information helps patients take a more active role in their self-care.
Advancements in Telemedicine and Remote Patient Monitoring
The World Health Organization (WHO) has referred to telemedicine as "healing from a distance", with doctors taking appointments via online video platforms.
The reason for its continued success is convenience. Patients can attend appointments and avoid commuting issues, traffic jams, or last-minute setbacks. On the other hand, doctors can monitor remotely by diagnosing and treating patients at a distance.
Integration of Wearable Technology
Wearable tech continues to grow in popularity, driven by advancements in biosensor technology, which have enabled its integration into various devices through applications. The Internet of Things (IoT), which collects patient data in real time and transforms it into actionable insights for healthcare providers, makes this possible.
While the most common use of wearables is fitness and health management, the data they generate also supports remote patient monitoring (RPM). Patients can track their blood pressure, heart rate, and sleep patterns and share this information with their doctors, facilitating quicker responses to unforeseen anomalies.
Leveraging AI and Machine Learning
AI and Machine Learning (ML) are ubiquitous, and healthcare is one of the industries with the most impact. Today, healthcare apps with integrated AI capabilities that can analyze medical data and provide real-time diagnoses aren’t as surprising as they might have been a few years ago.
The same can be said for ML. This field of artificial intelligence can track patient symptoms and monitor for the development of other illnesses. With effective analytics in place, doctors extract precise insights into patient diagnoses that, in turn, allow them to prescribe treatments and drugs more efficiently.
Managing pain effectively: A case study
At Accelone, we were called to develop an app for post-surgical patients to manage and overlook their opioid intake and help physicians monitor patient recovery progress. Specific challenges for the app's development included:
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Creating a user-friendly experience.
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Offering thorough data tracking and real-time alerts for doctors.
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Complying with HIPAA regulations.
We developed a mobile health app that prompted patients to track their pain and medication use while doctors examined patient logs in real-time. Lastly, the developed app ensured it stored no personal data on mobile devices.
Need help developing your own healthcare mobile app?
Over the last decade, mobile app development has become widespread, and healthcare institutions haven't been immune to these technological advancements. Healthcare apps have become vital to improve doctor-patient engagement and healthcare delivery.
The latest trends in healthcare app development enable enhanced experiences for patients and medical workers. By taking an active role in people’s overall well-being, healthcare apps help patients become fully aware of their health statistics while simplifying and streamlining processes for healthcare professionals.
Contact us today if you’re searching for healthcare app development services for your medical institution.
