Addison Taylor
From providing medical services to streamlining insurance applications, many businesses nowadays have a vested interest in improving their field with the help of healthcare apps.
Diversido as a healthcare app development expert has shared info about the most demanded categories of medical & healthcare apps on the market today.
Telehealth
Telehealth apps are changing the way many medical institutions provide services today. With the pandemic raging, there has never been a more rapid increase in the demand for telehealth services such as telemedicine for diabetes. Telehealth refers to the process of providing healthcare services remotely with the help of technology. There are five main types of telehealth.
1. Telenursing
Telenursing involves patients calling or having a video conference at the doctors’ office. During the conversation, a nurse can ask general questions about complaints and determine whether a patient should come in person or can communicate with a doctor via telehealth equipment.
2. Telepsychiatry and teletherapy
Telehealth has made medical services more accessible, especially in rural areas. Psychiatric and therapeutic types of treatment benefit greatly from new technology. Many people struggle with mental issues nowadays. The pandemic has only exacerbated the magnitude of the problem. Telepsychiatry and teletherapy allow licensed professionals to consult and console their patients remotely. It also enables patients to prevent the possibility of exposure to dangerous viruses during the session.
3. Teleradiology
The demand for radiologists is rising and this field of medicine is particularly appealing to many young professionals as it can be done completely remotely. A patient can take MRIs, X-rays, or a CT scan at the nearest or most convenient location. The imagery is sent via a secure network to a radiologist to be interpreted. A radiologist then writes their interpretation and sends it to the patient’s primary physician who has ordered the scan.
4. Teledermatology
High-quality cameras have made the rise in teledermatology possible. After the initial visual examination of a patient, all the necessary tests can be performed in laboratories, with results being sent to a doctor electronically. Based on them, a dermatologist can determine the course of treatment. Teledermatology is particularly useful when treating patients with chronic conditions.
5. Telerehabilitation
Many patients in need of physical therapy find it difficult to receive it because of the pandemic. Recovering from trauma, with health still vulnerable, many patients wish to reduce their exposure to harmful viruses. Telehealth apps help physicians deliver services that patients cannot receive in person during these difficult times. It is worth mentioning that CDC recommends the use of telemedicine as it helps to curb the spread of the coronavirus.
mHealth
mHealth is deciphered as mobile health. It is used by people to monitor their physical condition. mHealth encompasses a wide range of applications, fulfilling health app ideas of all kinds. These apps use sensors of mobile phones, smartwatches, and other devices to increase their functionality.
Some of the most commercially successful types of mHealth apps include fitness apps, sleep-tracking apps, and dieting apps (we do not recommend using dieting apps without consulting with a doctor first). mHealth apps have attracted attention from a wide range of businesses.
mHealth Apps in the Insurance Industry
Insurance companies that deal with health and life insurance are highly interested in information that smartwatches provide about their owners. Some companies that provide insurance for their employees encourage them to wear smartwatches with pre-installed apps for a certain period. The software shares the data with insurance companies, helping them to determine whether a person can get lower insurance rates.
mHealth Apps for Employees Involved in Physical Labor
From waiters to warehouse workers, many people around the world are doing labor-intensive work. The health and wellbeing of such employees should be one of the top priorities for their employers. A smartwatch helps to monitor the physical parameters of an employee when they are at work, as well as promptly inform necessary parties in case of injury.
For certain activities that require maximum concentration, such as driving, smartwatches can inform an owner and their management if they are getting sleepy or are too tired to operate a vehicle.
mHealth Apps Used by People to Monitor Their Well-Being
A successful mHealth app can be a great business in certain perspectives. As we have mentioned, many such apps acquire significant commercial success, with fitness and sleep-tracking apps being among the most popular.
According to one survey, representing about 11 thousand participants from 12 countries, approximately 62% of adults are dissatisfied with the quality of their sleep. This makes for a large demographic that can benefit from the latest technologies in the field of sleep monitoring. Being able to track their sleeping patterns, users can understand what exactly is causing insomnia or other issues in their daily habits or environment. This data can also provide doctors who treat these patients with necessary details, making it easier to determine an appropriate course of treatment.
What Are the Qualities of a Good Healthcare App?
Security
Security is the primary concern and the top priority for every professional dealing with information as sensitive as medical records. Depending on the area where your app will be available, you might need to comply with certain rules and regulations to ensure the security of your client’s personal information. For instance, if you plan to operate in the US, you should be HIPAA compliant. Many app developers hire HIPAA compliance officers to make sure that nothing falls through the cracks. However, as a rule, specialists dealing with EHR software development lay compliance into the program foundation
Availability and Scalability
The availability of healthcare apps for Android and iOS users alike is critical for their success. It should be available to the widest audience possible, including people who use relatively outdated technology. Such apps should also have the potential for scalability, meaning that they should handle as many user queries as needed.
Ease of Use
Neither patients nor medical professionals would want to spend a lot of time learning how to use a complicated system, not to mention that the more straightforward an app is, the more people will embrace it. Make sure that your tool is clear for less tech-savvy users by avoiding complex interfaces and navigations.
Telehealth and mHealth apps are two large groups of healthcare apps. Individuals often use mHealth to monitor their health, including the quality of their sleep and their medical parameters during a workout. The most successful apps are secure, easy to use, available to most individuals and are able to handle as many users as needed.
Many businesses use apps healthcare functions to provide their clients, patients, and employees with more opportunities and a better, safer environment. Ask yourself, how can your business use a healthcare app to improve? If you have an idea in mind, you can order an app to be created for your business.
