USD 43.5 billion. That was the value of the mobile health (mHealth) market in 2022. By 2028, that value is expected to be USD 314.60 billion. (That is not a misprint.) With the rapid growth of technology, healthcare organizations are increasingly turning to mobile apps to revolutionize patient care and streamline their processes. After all, more and more people expect efficiency, and healthcare is no exception.
Let’s take this time to explore the world of healthcare app design and development and how Ayokay can help your organization create a user-friendly, secure, and efficient mHealth app to improve your patients’ outcomes.
Why Healthcare App Design & Development Is Important
In our technology-driven world, more and more people expect efficiency, and healthcare is no exception.
The development of mobile applications has revolutionized the U.S. healthcare system. Healthcare app designs focus on creating user-friendly and secure health solutions.
That’s where these applications have a leg up—they streamline healthcare needs into one swift package. Patients can now view their medical records, set up appointments, and even interact with their providers, all from an app.
In this article, we’ll explore the process of app development in the healthcare space and what developers need to consider when creating these types of applications.
The Benefits of App Development in Healthcare
Before we dive into the development process, let’s talk about the benefits of developing an app for healthcare organizations.
1. Improved Patient Engagement and Empowerment
Mobile apps can greatly simplify the complicated and intimidating aspects of healthcare systems.
Dealing with bills and making appointments via phone call can be time-consuming. A great healthcare app design gives patients the freedom to do these tasks through mobile billing, online appointment booking, and telehealth checkups.
Patients also have access to their health information, appointment reminders, and other helpful health resources—sometimes in a single app.
All-in-all, these benefits can lead to patient empowerment. When people are able to easily manage their healthcare needs, they’ll feel more confident and positive about their health.
2. Enhanced Communication Between Patients and Providers
Sometimes messages between healthcare practitioners and patients can be lost in translation.
Luckily, healthcare app design can be used to facilitate communication, such as through secure messaging systems or telemedicine services. In fact, telehealth is so useful that Statista, India estimates the market will increase by 31% by 2025.
Healthcare application development provides a more efficient exchange of information, which can result in building rapport between patients and providers. Perhaps most importantly, patients will always be informed, so they’ll have more control over their health outcomes.
3. Improved Data Collection and Analysis
Mobile health applications can also be used to help with data collection and analysis. They allow patients to monitor their health and share real-time information with healthcare providers.
These apps gather a diverse range of data points, including symptoms, vital signs, and medication adherence. With this information, they then can generate comprehensive and up-to-date patient profiles.
Doctors and providers can use this data to identify trends and predict health outcomes. Ultimately, the information they get from such applications can help them create future treatment plans with more tailored advice.
4. Streamlined Administrative Processes
Healthcare apps aren’t only for patients. They also have a wide range of benefits for administrative staff.
First, applications can be used to help practitioners digitally organize and share patient records. This ensures that information is stored safely and efficiently. Additionally, apps can be used to streamline administrative processes, such as scheduling appointments or ordering prescriptions.
Overall, healthcare mobile app development can minimize manual paperwork and reduce errors. By simplifying administrative processes, it also greatly reduces the burden on staff members and allows them to prioritize patient care.
The Process of App Development in Healthcare
Now that we’ve discussed the benefits of app development in healthcare, let’s look at the process of making the app itself.
Define Your Goals and Objectives
Before you start your healthcare mobile app development, it’s important to define your goals and objectives.
Take your time with this process, making sure that your goals are relevant to the services your app will provide.
Ask yourself questions like: What do I want my app to accomplish? Who am I targeting with this app? What features do they need?
As soon as you’re able to answer these questions, creating the healthcare app design will be much easier, as it keeps you focused on your main objectives.
Research Your Potential User Base
Once you have a clear understanding of your goals, you should begin researching the potential users of your app.
Consider factors like age, gender, location, and health conditions when creating user profiles to better understand the needs of your target audience. You can find this information by looking at your current customer base. You can also browse your competition’s user base for even more data.
If there’s a broad range of people that will be on your app, make sure it’s user-friendly for all users. The goal is to have a platform that makes healthcare more accessible, not confusing.
Choose a Platform
After you’ve conducted your research, it’s time to start looking at various platforms for your app development project.
Popular options include iOS, Android, and web-based platforms. Consider the pros and cons of each platform to decide which one is right for you. Remember, the more users that can access your app, the better.
There are a few factors you should consider before deciding. For example, make sure your choice can keep up with the complexity of your healthcare app design. Also, evaluate potential costs and time constraints for each platform. The platform’s capabilities, such as hardware features and software integrations, must align with the app’s functionality.
Find a Development Team
Now that you know which platform you’ll be using, find a development team who can bring your vision to life. Consider the team’s experience, portfolio, and communication style to find one that fits your needs. An effective app development team should possess diverse skills, including programming languages (Swift, Java), UX/UI design, and project management.
Be sure to also look at their timeline for completion and cost estimates. Healthcare application development can be expensive, so make sure you partner with a team that’s high quality as well as affordable. Like, oh I don’t know . . . Ayokay!
Design and Test Your App
Once you’ve chosen a development team, it’s finally time to start designing your app.
Make sure that your healthcare app design is streamlined. Work with your team to create the features that will best serve your target audience and ensure they are user-friendly and intuitive.
After the design phase is complete, test your app to make sure it’s working properly. This can help you identify any bugs or issues that need to be addressed before releasing the app. Keep in mind that this won’t be a quick process. Ironing out bugs and perfecting your app could take anywhere from a few months up to a year.
Conclusion
Healthcare organizations are increasingly looking to provide better care for their patients. A tried-and-true way to do this is by creating a mobile app that makes healthcare less intimidating and more streamlined. Healthcare application development isn’t easy, but it’s worth it—for practitioners and patients alike.
Ready to revolutionize your healthcare organization with a custom mobile app? Ayokay will help you navigate the complex world of healthcare app development and design, ensuring a seamless and secure experience for your patients and staff. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and discover how we can bring your vision to life.
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Jack Shepler is a Marketing and Search Engine Optimization expert. He founded Ayokay, award-winning marketing, and web design firm in Indianapolis, Indiana that has built brands, increased sales for businesses, and helped nonprofit organizations fulfill their missions since 2011. He uses his decades of experience to educate through the Ayokay blog and through public speaking. You can follow him on LinkedIn.
