Tag: telehealth

Patient Engagement Software

Patient Engagement Software: How is it Evolving & Transforming Healthcare

Posted on | by Ami Kothari

Healthcare is changing with each new invention. Technology is an important part of healthcare. With it, the gap between healthcare providers and patients is decreasing. 

There is an increasing use of technology to interact with healthcare. Patients’ engagement with healthcare facilities is changing. The software solutions transform healthcare delivery and improve patient outcomes, from patient portals and mobile health applications to remote monitoring systems and wearables.

Patients want to be more involved in their healthcare decisions. They are more aware of their conditions and can make informed decisions. This empowerment comes from better access to information. 

Over time, patient engagement software has improved. They play a significant role in the changing healthcare world. It even leads to better outcomes for the patient. 

Patient-centralized care becomes an innovative approach to the healthcare industry. In this approach, patient care and engagement are at the center of their health journey. This article explores how patient engagement software is transforming healthcare.

How Patient Engagement Software is Transforming Healthcare

Patient engagement is driving key change in the world of medicine. Let us look at some of them. 

Increased patient satisfaction and outcomes

This software provides patients with more information about their condition. With more information, they know how to cope. They better have access to healthcare providers. The patients are more empowered to make active changes. 

This improves patient satisfaction with the care received. The outcomes are better as they are inspired to make positive changes. Here is how healthcare IT solutions and services can help to improve patient care.

Improved patient-provider connection

With patient engagement software, patient and doctors are more in touch. This software has made medical attention more accessible. With video calls and messages, the patient can stay updated. All of these reduce the need for visiting the doctor in person.

Better learning and self-management

Patients have better access to info. The software promotes the patient to take action as they know what to do. They can work towards preventing adverse health conditions. 

Lowered healthcare costs and readmissions

The software can help reduce patient readmission. With better monitoring, patients can stay home and get medical attention. They can make virtual visits via the apps. The ER can take a breather as it will be less crowded.

The doctors can monitor the patients who stay home. This allows them to recover from the comfort of their home. They can prevent health issues with more knowledge. 

6 Types of Patient Engagement Systems

Patient engagement software comprises many systems and tools. They are designed to enhance patient involvement and improve healthcare outcomes. In this section, we will explore several types of patient engagement systems. 

6-Types-of-Patient-Engagement-Systems

1. Telehealth

Telehealth has gained importance in these times. The global pandemic pushed everyone to choose remote healthcare services. These services focus on providing medical services in their own home. It may be a consultation or getting a prescription. Telehealth makes it all possible. 

Video calls and messages connect the patient and provider. These tools help overcome the physical barriers between them. 

Telehealth is ideal for those in remote places. They can connect to doctors in far-off places. It is helpful to those who have issues with mobility. 

2. Patient Portals

In this app, patients can view their medical information and get refills. Specialized software is available to make schedule appointments. 

Patients can communicate with their healthcare providers. They can manage their records through these software products. 

With all these conveniences, patient engagement rates become high. They take an active role in their health. 

3. Health Data Analytics

Health data analytics systems bring in a lot of new data sources. It analyzes patient data from different sources. They may be electronic health records, wearables tech, and patient reports. They find patterns and trends to help healthcare providers make informed decisions. 

These systems help prepare personalized treatment plans. It can help spot high-risk patients and improve care delivery.

4. Automated Appointment Reminder Systems

Missing appointments can affect your health. It will affect your treatment and journey to good health. Automated appointment reminder systems can help reduce this. It uses text messages, emails, or phone calls to keep patients in the loop. 

This software can help reduce missed appointments. Providers can manage their schedules better. Patients get timely care, and healthcare providers can improve their efficiency. 

5. Remote Patient Monitoring

Remote patient monitoring is helping everyone keep track of their health. It takes the help of connected devices and wearable gadgets. It can collect and send real-time health data to healthcare providers. Doctors can monitor patients who stay at home. They can monitor vital signs, medication, and symptoms. 

Providers can watch their health status, spot warning signs early, and act. Doctors can provide proactive and personalized care.

6. Healthcare Payment Automation

Healthcare payment automation systems make transactions easier for patients. With automation, patients can do billing, and payments online. 

Patients can review and manage their healthcare expenses better. They will get automated reminders on their devices. These systems improve patient satisfaction and make the processes smoother. 

Innovative Technologies That Enhance Patient Engagement Solutions

Technology is improving at breakneck speed. The medical world is warming up to adopting this tech. Patient engagement software is getting better by the day. There is exciting new tech that is disrupting the world of patient engagement. They are the: 

  1. Internet of Things (IoT)
  2. Artificial Intelligence (AI)
  3. Blockchain

Innovative Technologies That Enhance Patient Engagement Solutions

1. Internet of Things (IoT) Implementation

IoT consists of devices such as wearables and connected sensors. They enable remote monitoring of a patient’s vital signs. It can keep track of physical activity and sleep patterns. With regular reminders, it can ensure proper medicine intake. This data can be used to provide healthcare providers with useful feedback. 

Doctors can take timely action by monitoring these devices. Patients can get better insight into their health. It promotes self-management among patients. 

2. Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Artificial Intelligence has been making waves in every realm. It has shown its magic in patient engagement solutions as well. AI algorithms can analyze large volumes of patient data.  It can identify patterns, and generate insights. This new information can help doctors come to accurate diagnoses. 

With this data, they can make better treatment plans and personalized care. 

AI brings AI-powered chatbots into the picture. They can be virtual assistants that interact with patients. They can provide information and quick answers. Chatbots can provide support and help in such times.

They identify patients who are at risk of certain conditions. With predictive analysis, at-risk patients can seek quick help. 

3. Blockchain

Blockchain technology has the potential to transform healthcare. It provides a whole new level of security and transparency. 

With blockchain, information is safe from tampering. This ensures they are in better control of their data. They can share their healthcare journey in safe accounts. 

It allows different facilities to communicate sensitive data. This can improve care coordination and patient outcomes. 

Healthcare providers are recognizing the potential this technology holds. Thanks to it, patient engagement solutions are getting better. 

Summing Up 

Patient engagement software plays a significant role in transforming healthcare. As technology advances, these solutions are becoming more effective. 

The healthcare industry is integrating these solutions. It can lead to better outcomes for the patients as well as doctors. It leads to better interactions and an overall reduction in costs. 

If you want reliable patient engagement software, we, at EMed HealthTech, can help. EMed HealthTech is a leading custom healthcare software development company. 

We have a proven track record in healthcare app development. We focus on innovative and user-friendly healthcare software. You can enhance patient engagement and improve healthcare delivery, with EMed HealthTech. 

Ready to take the next step in transforming your healthcare service? Contact us today!

Implementing Telehealth

Implementing a Telehealth Program In Your Clinic: How to Make it a Success?

Posted on | by Ami Kothari

Telehealth was a great relief for patients and doctors during the COVID pandemic times. The world had come to a stop. Those in need of medical attention suffered the most. 

We used technology to overcome those challenges. And since then there is no looking back.   

The worldwide telehealth market value was $87.2 billion in 2022. It’s expected to reach $285.7 billion by 2027. The telehealth market is booming. There is worldwide adoption of this tech. This is the ideal time for healthcare providers to be a part of it.

As a healthcare provider, have you adopted this tech? 

In this article, we are going to explore the Telehealth implementation process. It takes a lot of effort to implement software. We will explore the different factors that affect it. From picking the well-developed Telemedicine software, and staff training to checks, we will cover everything. Read on to find out how to implement it the right way. 

Understanding Telehealth

Before we implement a telehealth program, let us first know what telehealth is. 

Telehealth is using technology for remote healthcare. It includes features like video appointments, secure messaging, remote patient monitoring, and EHR.

  1. Real-time video calls allow healthcare providers to interact with patients. This is a virtual consultation. 
  2. Secure messaging services provide discretion and privacy between the patient and the doctor. 
  3. Remote patient monitoring enables doctors to keep track of their health. These aid in treating chronic conditions. 
  4. EHR or electronic health records integration allows access to patient information. This enables coordinated care.

These are at the core of the concept of telehealth. 

The smart way to go is to choose a custom telemedicine software development company. You can add features that enhance your medical service. 

Some additional features of Telemedicine you can add are: 

  1. Mobile Apps for convenient access.
  2. Appointment scheduling and reminders for efficient time management.
  3. Prescription management for electronic prescribing.
  4. Shared tools like whiteboards for real-time contact.
  5. Multilingual support for overcoming language barriers.
  6. Remote access to diagnostic data for proactive care management.
  7. Recording for filing and quality assurance.

These features add more value to the software. It also improves the overall quality of care given. 

How to Effectively Implement a Telehealth Program? 4 Steps

A telehealth program has become vital for medical practice. It offers many benefits for healthcare providers. To successfully implement, there needs to be careful planning and execution. 

Here is a quick guide on implementing a telehealth program. We are sharing some insights and strategies for healthcare professionals.

How to Effectively Implement a Telehealth Program in clinic

1. Select Appropriate Telehealth Software and App

The first step is to pick the right software. It is a booming market, you will find yourself spoiled for choice. It is going to be a confusing period. 

Take a good look at the different options you have. Talk in detail to different vendors to get an idea of the market price. 

Here is an easy checklist of the steps in selecting telehealth software and apps. 

—Evaluate your clinic’s needs

Before choosing the right telehealth software and app, evaluate your specific needs. Consider factors such as the size of your practice and the number of healthcare providers. 

Think about the different features you want to add. 

—Research available telehealth software and app options

Look for reputable vendors or providers. They should have a proven healthcare industry track record. 

Consider factors such as the software’s compatibility with your existing systems. The app offered should have a user-friendly interface. It should meet regulatory requirements and security standards. 

—Conduct demos and trials

Conduct demos and trials to make the right choice. Many vendors offer free trials or product demos. You can experience the software firsthand before choosing it. 

2. Preparing for Telehealth Implementation

Let’s look at some prep steps to help you implement telehealth software. Let’s make sure everything is set before we begin.  

—Assessing Clinic Readiness

Before applying the telehealth software, evaluate your clinic’s readiness. Assess the infrastructure, technology requirements, and staff skills. Check the network and equipment quality. Make upgrades wherever necessary. 

Now that the equipment is taken care of, let’s talk about the staff. The staff has to be ready too. How equipped are they to use new software is important? Identify skill gaps and develop a training plan.

—Laws and Regulations

Before launching a telehealth program, take into account the legalities. Make sure you understand all laws and regulations. Identify the regulations and make sure the software complies with them. Ensure you have the framework to comply. 

Be aware of applicable privacy regulations like HIPAA. Opt for HIPAA-compliant telemedicine platforms. They come with robust security features.

3. Developing a Strategic Plan

Developing a well-thought-out strategic plan is a necessity. Only then can you apply the software correctly? This plan will serve as a roadmap to guide your telehealth initiatives. 

—Define clear goals

Identify what you want to achieve with telehealth. Nowadays, Patient-centric care becomes an innovative and required approach in healthcare due to various reasons. Develop software that improves patient access and satisfaction and a can better medium to contact patients. 

—Set measurable targets 

Establish specific benchmarks to track progress and success.

—Focus on target patients

Consider who will benefit most from telehealth. Those who are chronically ill? Or those in remote areas? 

—Integrate with suitable specialties

Choose where you want to apply this tech. Is it best for one department or the other? 

—Customize for patients

Tailor your telehealth services to your needs. It has to suit the needs of your target patient groups as well. 

—Ensuring Seamless Patient Experience

The idea is to make telehealth a great experience for patients. You have to focus on tips to increase satisfaction, engagement, etc. 

Educate patients about telemedicine benefits and processes. Make sure you provide clear instructions for platform navigation. Use educational resources to highlight advantages.

Offer dedicated support and clear instructions for common issues. Provide online resources, like tutorials and FAQs, for self-help.

Create intuitive interfaces for patient portals and apps. It should have clear navigation. Make sure to include essential features like booking, consulting, etc. 

4. Training and Engaging Staff

Training and engaging your staff to adapt the software. It is an essential part of a successful implementation. This training should empower your staff to use the software without any issues. 

  1. Teach software navigation, virtual consultations, and troubleshooting. 
  2. Foster open dialogue and support. 
  3. Establish clear communication channels for collaboration.
  4. Share success stories and positive impacts.
  5. Provide ongoing education on telehealth advancements and best practices.
  6. Ensuring Healthcare Regulatory and Security Compliance
  7. Here are some key concerns to ensure security and compliance:
  8. Adhering to HIPAA regulations and guidelines.
  9. Conducting risk assessments 
  10. Identifying and mitigating potential vulnerabilities.
  11. Stay updated on emerging security threats 
  12. Updated on technological advancements.
  13. Evaluating and Enhancing Telehealth Program Performance

This is an important step to ensure long-term success. It will also impact care delivery. 

Collect and analyze key performance indicators (KPIs). These can include metrics such as the number of telehealth visits, and patient wait times.. You can understand things like provider satisfaction from it. 

Gather patient feedback and satisfaction ratings through surveys. This will give valuable insights into program effectiveness. 

Identify areas for improvement and make necessary adjustments. 

Summing Up 

The world is zooming into the realm of technology. It is making human lives more convenient. Make sure your healthcare facility is in the game. A telehealth program can be a major update for your firm. But what matters more is to apply it the right way. 

This article has traced the path to implementing the software. Every company is unique and there is no wrong way to do it. But getting the fundamentals right is important. 

Now that you have a clear idea of how to do it. All you need to do is get started on your software. 

EMed HealthTech is a leading healthcare software solutions provider. 

We are experts at creating custom solutions. We tailor our software to meet your needs.

Talk to us about your clinic’s unique requirements. We will find solutions that suit just that. 

Get in touch with us today to learn more!

Telemedicine Safeguards Women's Health In Rural Areas

How Telemedicine Safeguards Women’s Health In Rural Areas?

Posted on | by Ami Kothari

Access to healthcare is a basic human right, yet it can be a significant challenge for many women living in rural areas. Rural areas are often far from hospitals and clinics, and transportation can be a major hurdle. This can make it difficult for women to get the care they need, particularly those living with chronic conditions or undergoing pregnancy. 

However, telemedicine app is changing the game by bringing healthcare to the patient’s doorstep. In this article, we’ll explore how telemedicine empowers women in rural areas by making healthcare accessible, affordable, and convenient. We’ll also discuss how telemedicine is used to safeguard women’s health in rural areas.

4 Major Challenges in Women’s Healthcare in Rural Areas

Living in a rural area can present unique challenges when it comes to accessing healthcare, particularly for women. This is a universal phenomenon due to dominant social and cultural norms which put women at a disadvantage. 

While urban areas have many healthcare facilities and specialists, those living in rural areas may not have the same level of access. As a result, women in rural areas often face various challenges when it comes to maintaining good health.

1. Lack of Healthcare Facilities

One of the most significant challenges women face in rural areas is the lack of healthcare facilities. Many rural areas have a limited number of hospitals, clinics, and medical centers, making it difficult for women to access healthcare services. This can be particularly challenging for women who require specialized care, such as obstetricians and gynecologists.

2. Shortage of Healthcare Professionals

Another challenge in rural areas is the shortage of healthcare professionals. Many healthcare professionals choose to work in urban areas, leaving rural areas with few doctors and nurses. This can make it difficult for women in rural areas to find healthcare providers who specialize in women’s health.

3. Limited Access to Specialized Care

In addition to the shortage of healthcare professionals, women in rural areas may have limited access to specialized care. For example, women who require advanced diagnostic testing for specialized surgery may need to travel long distances to access these services. This can be particularly challenging for women who do not have access to reliable transportation or who cannot afford to travel.

4. Socio-Economic Factors Affecting Women’s Health

Finally, socio-economic factors can also impact women’s health in rural areas. Women in rural areas may be more likely to live in poverty, making it difficult to access healthcare services. Additionally, women in rural areas may have limited access to healthy food options or safe places to exercise, contributing to various health issues.

4 Key Benefits of Telemedicine in Women’s Healthcare

Benefits of Telemedicine in Women's Healthcare

Telemedicine has revolutionized healthcare delivery, especially in rural areas where accessing quality healthcare services has always been challenging. It plays a crucial role in improving the overall health and well-being of rural women. There are some significant benefits of telemedicine in virtual healthcare. Here are some of them: 

1. Improved access to healthcare services

Telemedicine improves access to healthcare services that’s why it is a must for quality healthcare. Women living in rural areas often lack access to primary care physicians, let alone specialists, due to a shortage of healthcare facilities and professionals. Telemedicine eliminates this barrier by providing remote access to healthcare services, enabling women to consult doctors and specialists regardless of location.

2. Reduced travel time and costs

Women in rural areas often travel long distances to access healthcare services, which can be costly and time-consuming. With telemedicine, patients can access care from the comfort of their homes, eliminating the need for travel and reducing costs associated with transportation, accommodation, and other related expenses.

3. Increased availability of specialized care

Another benefit of telemedicine is that it increases the availability of specialized care. Rural areas often lack specialized healthcare services due to a shortage of trained professionals. With telemedicine, women can access specialized care from remote locations, receiving timely and effective treatment for conditions that would otherwise go untreated.

4. Improved patient outcomes

By providing remote access to healthcare services, women living in rural areas can receive timely and effective care for a wide range of conditions, including chronic diseases, mental health issues, and maternal and child health. Telemedicine allows healthcare providers to monitor patients’ health status remotely, enabling them to detect and address health issues before they become severe.

Few Examples of Telemedicine in Women’s Healthcare

Examples of Telemedicine in Women's Healthcare

As Teleconsultation is shaping the future of healthcare, we can expect much from Telemedicine and Telehealth in 2023 and beyond. Here are some examples of telemedicine making an impact on the health of rural women. 

Teleconsultations for gynecological and obstetric care

– Teleconsultations allow women in rural areas to consult with gynecologists and obstetricians without traveling, saving them time and money.

– With telemedicine, healthcare professionals can diagnose and treat various conditions such as irregular menstrual cycles, urinary tract infections, and abnormal Pap test results.

– Women can also receive guidance on family planning, pregnancy-related issues, and menopause through teleconsultations.

Remote monitoring of high-risk pregnancies

– Telemedicine helps pregnant women in remote areas receive timely and appropriate care, reducing the risk of complications.

– Healthcare professionals can monitor vital signs, fetal development, and other parameters through remote monitoring devices.

– Women can also receive guidance on proper prenatal care and nutrition through telemedicine.

Telemedicine for mental health services

Though there are some challenges in Telemental health, they can be overcome.

– Telemedicine helps women in rural areas access mental health services without needing travel, which can be especially beneficial for those with limited mobility or transportation.

– Women can receive counseling for various mental health issues, including depression, anxiety, and postpartum depression.

– Healthcare professionals can also provide support for coping with domestic violence, sexual abuse, and other traumatic experiences.

Telemedicine for preventive care

– Telemedicine enables women to receive regular preventive care services such as mammograms, Pap tests, and STD screenings without traveling long distances to a healthcare facility.

– Healthcare professionals can also provide guidance on healthy lifestyle choices, such as proper nutrition and exercise.

– This service helps women in rural areas stay proactive about their health, reducing the risk of developing serious health conditions.

Challenges in Telemedicine Implementation

Telemedicine sounds like the ideal solution. However, it is plagued by obstacles that prevent its effective implementation.

In rural areas, the lack of infrastructure and technology can create obstacles to providing telemedicine services. Additionally, limited healthcare resources, including trained healthcare professionals, equipment, and medication, can make it difficult to implement telemedicine successfully. There is a need for policy changes and regulations to ensure that telemedicine is integrated into the healthcare system in rural areas, providing reliable and accessible healthcare services to women. By addressing these challenges, telemedicine can play a crucial role in safeguarding women’s health in rural areas, particularly those who face difficulties in accessing healthcare services.

Summing Up 

Telemedicine is a promising solution to improve healthcare access and quality for women in rural areas. It offers a solution to bring in much-needed access to healthcare for women and thereby uplift society as a whole. Despite the challenges that pave the way, telehealth stands as a beacon of hope for rural women. 

If you want to integrate telemedicine into your healthcare practice, EMed HealthTech provides custom telehealth app development services that can help you provide remote care to your patients. With our expertise in developing HIPAA-compliant telemedicine apps, we can create a personalized telehealth solution for your practice to ensure that you can offer high-quality care to your patients, no matter where they are located.

Telehealth-and-Telemedicine-in-2023-and-Beyond

What to Expect From Telehealth and Telemedicine in 2023 and Beyond?

Posted on | by Ami Kothari

Telehealth and telemedicine have been growing in popularity in recent years, but the COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the adoption of these technologies. With the ability to provide medical care remotely, telehealth services and telemedicine have become essential tools for maintaining access to healthcare during the pandemic and beyond.

With technology advancing rapidly, one can also expect this to be reflected in telehealth and telemedicine platforms in many ways. In this article, we will explore what to expect from telehealth and telemedicine in 2023 and beyond, including predictions for the future of the field and the value of virtual care beyond telehealth.

Telehealth and Telemedicine: The Journey So Far

The healthcare industry is constantly evolving, and telehealth and telemedicine are no exceptions. These technologies have grown exponentially in recent years, and this trend is expected to continue. From its inception to where it is today, there have been tremendous changes in telehealth and telemedicine, altering how we perceive healthcare services.

Where is it headed?

The healthcare industry saw an unprecedented surge in telehealth services during the pandemic period. Now that things are back to normal and the sense of urgency that ruled the time has died down, there has been a systematic and sure shift to virtual healthcare services. This aligns with various studies that predict the surge in the use of telehealth services. A study by McKinsey shows that almost $250 billion could be shifted in the US alone for virtual healthcare. A quick look at the current usage stats also confirms the inevitable rise of telehealth.

What are the Usage Stats of Telehealth?

A recent HIMSS report shows that more than 70% of Gen Z, millennials, and Gen X want the convenience of telehealth and go as far as to choose another provider if it is not an option. According to a September 2022 AMA study, there has been a significant increase in physicians using remote monitoring devices, as the percentage grew from 12% in 2016 to 30% in 2022. The main reasons for this adoption are improved clinical outcomes and efficiency. Find the top 10 reasons to build Telemedicine app. Improvement in usability and culture is also seen as a major factor that can raise it to a 50% to 70% rate in the next five years.

What are the components involved in Telemedicine?

One of the most crucial aspects enabling telemedicine is Remote patient monitoring (RPM) It uses connected medical devices and sensors, mobile devices, cloud platforms, and software to analyze and store data. While personal wearable devices such as Jawbone, Fitbit, and Apple Watches were popular a decade ago, they do not provide medical-grade information. Medical-grade devices are necessary for significant progress. As patients become accustomed to utilizing devices, sensors will become more compact and efficient.

Bringing a greater value beyond the obvious

Beyond the obvious benefits of telehealth and telemedicine, such as increased access to healthcare and reduced costs, virtual care can potentially improve patient care quality. Virtual care can also help to reduce the spread of infectious diseases, such as COVID-19, by reducing the number of in-person visits to healthcare facilities. Read more about 10 Benefits of Telemedicine Apps in Virtual Healthcare.

The Future of Telehealth and Telemedicine: 2023 in a Glance

Get Ready for Tech giant takeovers

Tech giants like Google and Amazon are taking notice of telehealth’s potential and making strategic acquisitions and investments to expand their offerings in the healthcare space. Google has made direct investments in telehealth providers, while Amazon has acquired One Medical, a telehealth-powered primary care provider, for close to $4 billion and launched Amazon Clinic, a marketplace for third-party telehealth providers. With the potential to apply new technologies in telehealth, we can expect to see more tech giant acquisitions in the coming years.

Bring Home the Hospital

During the pandemic, home healthcare saw a rapid scaling up due to the deployment of cutting-edge technologies. However, as things have normalized, the urgency to address healthcare challenges has decreased. Caregivers are now working to refine and expand subscription-based home healthcare services. We can expect a significant increase in subscription-based home healthcare services in the coming years, as corporate healthcare programs integrate preventive approaches to reduce healthcare expenditure.

Behavioral and holistic health

Integrating behavioral insights to create a holistic care environment that integrates physical, social, and mental health is a growing trend in healthcare. This approach, which tech giants are embracing, goes beyond monitoring patients’ vitals and providing remote diagnostics. It creates a sense of community and belonging for patients. This shift towards behavioral and holistic health promises to enhance patients’ overall well-being.

Better Usability

Telehealth technology is advancing rapidly, focusing on making it more user-friendly for patients and physicians. The usability of telehealth services will continue to improve to make them more accessible to everyone. This includes simplifying the process of accessing telehealth services, improving the user interface, and making it more intuitive. Additionally, the increasing demand for telehealth services will drive further technological developments to make it more convenient for patients and physicians to access and utilize these services.

Evolving into an All-in-one technology

The technology industry is moving towards a more consolidated approach with the development of all-in-one solutions. This means that instead of using multiple tools to achieve a certain task, users can access everything they need from a single platform. This will reflect in telemedicine in the form of technologies that will provide different services in a single platform.

Comprehensive changes in Chronic disease management

One advantage of telemedicine is how it will help in chronic disease management. It cuts down on hospital visits and helps healthcare providers give their services at home in a consistent manner. With video appointments, follow-ups, and therapy, patients can find relief within their homes.

Government funding and regulation for telehealth

With telehealth providing a more democratic approach to healthcare services, governments will receive greater funding to make it available to the general public at a subsidized cost. There will also be greater regulations in place to ensure there are no fraudulent practices.

More capital will flow to innovators in the digital healthcare arena.

Telehealth services will also attract many investors owing to their predicted growth and popular appeal. The involvement of tech giants is also proof that the future of telehealth will see a flurry of growth. Here is why Telemedicine/Telehealth is a must for digital healthcare.

 

Summing Up

Telehealth has seen one of the most astonishing growth in recent times, especially during the COVID pandemic. It brought about revolutionary new changes in the field of healthcare services. New technologies add to their facets, making it a constantly evolving field. All of the compasses point to great growth in the telehealth sector. It is wise to opt for digital healthcare options like a telemedicine app to give the best possible services for patients, especially the convenient ones they are looking for.

EMed HealthTech – a custom healthcare software development company is here for you if you need a reliable digital healthcare services provider. We provide custom telehealth software solutions and healthcare services that can be tweaked to fit your needs. With all the best telemedicine software options available, we help our healthcare industry clients gain a digital advantage in an era of evolution and growth. We can do the same for you. To know more, get in touch with us today!

 

 

Telemedicine-in-Virtual-Healthcare

10 Benefits of Telemedicine App in Virtual Healthcare

Posted on | by Ami Kothari

Telemedicine, telehealth, virtual care, and m-health are all similar terms used to denote medical care delivered from a distance. Doctors provide their medical services using technology like video conferencing and phone calls, compared to traditional face-to-face appointments. This is neither a new concept nor an unknown one. Telemedicine platform has been practiced since there was phone service, and doctors have been giving consultations via phone. It later developed into video conferencing as technology evolved, giving doctors more access to information to make better diagnoses and give better medical advice.

However, with the advent of mobile phones and the plethora of options, like tracking heartbeat, pressure, and other vitals via wearables, virtual care took a whole new turn, making it as efficient as traditional consultations, maybe even more efficient and accurate. While telehealth was an option people could choose, the COVID pandemic brought it to the forefront, forcing people to choose it and recognize its immense benefits. This article looks at the 10 various benefits telemedicine has in virtual healthcare.

What is Telemedicine App & Virtual Healthcare?

Telemedicine and virtual healthcare are similar in that both involve imparting healthcare services without the doctor or patient being present at the same place. Let us take a look at both to understand how they differ.

Telemedicine means medical practitioners can provide medical advice without meeting the patient in person. They may examine medical reports transmitted electronically or visual aspects of the condition via video conferencing. Audio and messaging are also used in the process. Doctors can work from their offices, while patients can be in the comfort of their homes. It can be accessed through their mobile, tablet, or computer and is effective in managing chronic conditions, common illnesses, or even follow-up. There is a lot of telemedicine that can cover.

On the other hand, virtual care refers to a comprehensive concept that includes the way healthcare provides interaction with patients. It may be consultation with a doctor, follow-up calls from medical staff, post-operative guidance and monitoring, pharmaceutical services, laboratory services, etc. All of these are enabled by digital tools like apps developed by telemedicine app development services.

Top Ten Benefits of Telemedicine App

Telemedicine is software that functions as a platform to avail various healthcare services. Please find the top 10 benefits of the Telemedicine platform:

Ten Benefits of Telemedicine

 

1. No Need for Commutes and Long Waits

Traditional consultation with a doctor requires reaching the doctor’s office and waiting in line, among others, for your turn. Patients cannot easily commute to the doctor’s office with their discomfort. They may be physically unfit, and there are expenses involved. Waiting at the doctor’s office with others also poses the risk of communicable diseases spreading.

2. Save Expenses

With telemedicine, there are a lot of expenses saved for the patient as well as the doctor. As for the patient, the expenses of traveling from their home, taking leave from work, finding replacements or babysitters, and car parking. All these lead to additional expenses on top of the doctor’s fees. Unexpected delays may happen on the way or at the doctor’s office. All of these inconveniences and expenses are taken care of with telemedicine.

3. More Efficient Appointments

Telemedicine makes the whole deal of making appointments a lot more efficient than it was before. For instance, making an appointment with telemedicine means finding an open slot for the doctor you prefer from your telemedicine app. You can also cancel appointments within that time. There is also the means to keep the appointment even if you are too unwell, as you can consult from the comfort of your home. Hence, appointments are better kept and more efficient.

4. Account for the Physical Health of the Patient

One of the major aspects overlooked in traditional appointments is the patient’s physical health. They may be sick to the bone with a high fever and unable to afford to call a doctor home. Even in such uncomfortable cases, patients must drag themselves to the doctor’s office to get a medical consultation. With telemedicine, they can do this from home and keep the appointment even if they are too unwell.

5. Better Access to Healthcare

One of the stellar reasons why telemedicine is such a hit is that it makes healthcare accessible to people. Instances, where the doctor you wanted to meet was too far away, were no longer an issue. With telemedicine, you can see doctors miles apart, no matter how remote you are, making healthcare more accessible to all.

6. Maintain Social Distance

Social distance was crucial during the COVID pandemic and brought to our attention how important it was in every other setting. It helped reduce the spread of communicable diseases, the common cold, or COVID. Telemedicine ensures social distancing from other patients as well as the doctor.

7. Access to Specialised Care

With telemedicine, another major advantage is access to specialized doctors. There might not be a doctor with a particular specialization in your nearby hospitals. You can save traveling for a consultation and instead choose to do it virtually, saving you money and time.

8. Beat Social Stigma:

People may avoid seeking medical help due to fear of social stigma. For instance, mental illnesses are widespread, but getting medical attention is not as easy as many social obstacles are yet to change. Telemedicine gives you privacy and security in such instances.

9. Better Medical Adherence

Telemedicine allows doctors, healthcare providers, and patients to keep in touch more. Patients may fall back on medications and the treatment may not be successful. With telemedicine, healthcare providers can check up on patients, prompt them to adhere to their regimens, and take better care of themselves.

10. Shorter Hospital Stay

Patients need not stay longer at the hospital when they need rest. If the observation required is minimal, the patients can be discharged to their homes, and healthcare providers can monitor them from afar. This makes the healing process more comfortable.

The fundamental of telemedicine apps has been around for a long time. Find out the top 10 reasons – why you need to develop a Telemedicine app.

Telemedicine App is a Necessity, not an Option. Why?

Telemedicine has become so popular, especially during the COVID pandemic, that it can no longer be considered an option instead that doctors can consider, rather a necessity for every medical facility to keep up with the demands of the changing times as well as for the many benefits we have listed above.

The COVID pandemic saw a sharp rise in the usage of telemedicine services. McKinsey.com says the study proved the rise in usage up to a staggering 38 times that before in April 2020. This spike was up to 32%, stabilizing at 13-17%.

Hospitals and clinics actively opt for telehealth services using advanced technology and software. The quality and features of a telemedicine application depend entirely on the expertise of the telemedicine app developers. You must choose the best telemedicine app development company to build your custom telemedicine app. Their expertise, experience, and access to resources determine the success of your venture into virtual healthcare.

With the success of telemedicine services in the last two years, the Indian government is sparing no means to develop Telemedicine further. Here you can find what did the Union Budget say about Telemedicine and Digital Health?

Why Choose EMed HealhtTech as Your Telemedicine App Development Partner?

EMed HealthTech is a custom healthcare software development company, that has developed successful telemedicine apps and websites. With over 560+ satisfied clients, they have built an impressive portfolio that proves their merit. Choose EMed HealthTech to know excellence first-hand. Reach out today to get a free estimate.

 

Experts-Tips-and-Tricks-of-Doctor-Appointment-Booking-App-by-EMed-HealthTech

Experts Tips and Tricks of Doctor Appointment Booking App by EMed HealthTech

Posted on | by site_admin

The COVID pandemic was our first brush with being forced to stay indoors due to health hazards. As a response, the health tech industry pushed solutions like mHealth and online consultations to the forefront to improve people’s access to safe and effective medical care. And the result has been eye-opening in how investment in digital health and virtual healthcare business models has skyrocketed.

In this post-pandemic period, we see healthcare practitioners implementing virtual healthcare services, like mobile health apps for booking doctors’ appointments. Healthcare facilities have recognized the upward trend and are developing their apps like doctors’ appointment booking apps, hospital management apps, pharmacy apps, etc.

This article delves into how a doctor appointment booking app can be developed and what you need to keep in mind. We also share tips and tricks from our experts for developing your doctor’s appointment app.

 

Digital Healthcare Market & Trends

The pandemic saw a sharp spike in the utilization of telehealth services. It was reported to be 38 times higher than pre-pandemic times. The spike to 32% has stabilized at 13-17% across all specialties.

A significant factor driving the trend has been the increased confidence of patients in digital healthcare. According to McKinsey, nearly 40% of consumers in their survey said they “believe they will continue to use telehealth going forward—up from 11 percent of consumers using telehealth before COVID-19.”

The better prospects in digital health have also increased investment in digital health. Innovation picked up speed with venture capitalist digital health investment in June 2020 tripled by June 2021, according to rockehealth.com.

Studies show that the global market for such healthcare apps is growing, with an estimated market value of USD 189 billion by 2025. Another study shows that 90% of physicians use smartphones for schedule management, EHR access, communication with the team, or reference information. From the patient’s perspective, there is high engagement with mobile health technology. A study by Boston Tech Corporation showed that 74% of patients use wearables and other mHealth tools to help them manage and cope with their health conditions. The recently presented Union Budget 2022-2023 strongly indicates that Telemedicine is a Must for Digital Health.

All studies and trends show positive growth for electronic health apps like those for booking doctor appointments. It also has many benefits that make patients want to have it. Let us take a quick look at the benefits of a doctor appointment booking app.

 

Challenges Faced Within the Industry

The healthcare industry faces certain challenges that stand in the way of providing proper healthcare. Doctors and healthcare providers are sometimes helpless due to barriers preventing patients from receiving timely attention and treatment. Here is a quick look at them.

Challenges-Faced-Within-the-Industry

1. Face-to-face meetings

Not every doctor’s consultation has to be faced with this. Certain illnesses and follow-up meetings could be done over the phone or virtually. With no such provision, the number of patients blocks up an entire day’s worth of appointments.

2. Time restraint

Doctors find it difficult to manage time if they have to attend to patients and clinics at different places. A lot of time is wasted traveling.

3. Access

Healthcare providers may find themselves wanted in places they may not have easy access. This may prevent timely healthcare from being provided.

4. Better appointment management

The lack of a proper system can make the consulting process tedious. Doctors’ offices are clogged with a lack of appointment booking systems.

 

Challenges Associated with Traditional Methods of Taking Doctor Appointments

The traditional mode of consulting a doctor is a long procedure. And we can all agree that many challenges in it make us begrudge the system. A doctor’s appointment app directly addresses these issues. Let us look at some of the challenges within the traditional method of taking appointments.

Challenges-Associated-with-Traditional-Methods-of-Taking-Appointments

 

  1. Long waiting periods: Say you are suffering from chronic joint pain. Only one ortho specialist in your nearby hospital is available for consultation only on certain days. These days will naturally have a lot of traffic too. Getting an appointment, braving the long queue, and finally seeing the doctor can be strenuous.
  2. Travel expenses: It is difficult to find doctors specializing in certain niches. You might have to travel long distances to get a consultation, which can be expensive, depending on the distance you have to cover.
  3. Skipped Appointments: There are several reasons one might skip an appointment with a doctor. Some patients may forget or skip appointments due to poor health or expenses.
  4. Safety from infectious pathogens: This is perhaps why telehealth solutions gained popularity during the pandemic. The need to be in a room full of ill people increases the chances of catching it.
    Consult from home for chronically ill: Patients who are not well enough to travel can find it even more challenging to make it to appointments. Without virtual consulting, they might choose to skip appointments.

 

Advantages of Developing a Doctor Appointment Booking App

A doctor appointment booking app has a lot of advantages, making it highly sought after by medical professionals for their clinics and healthcare facilities. Patients use it to get the best medical services, and there are plenty of options in the market. Healthcare facilities are competing to be the best on the scene.

Both healthcare providers and patients can benefit from a doctor consultation app.

Benefits to the hospital/clinic/healthcare provider include:

  1. Manage appointments via online channels.
  2. Avoid overbooking by accurately calculating and managing time slots.
  3. Lessen skipped appointments as the hassles and expenses of physical travel are some of the primary reasons patients skip.
  4. Streamline processes of the clinic/hospital, and increase efficiency.
  5. Automate administrative tasks and free up more time for staff for productive work.
  6. eHealthcare reports to analyze performance and make relevant adjustments to make improvements.
  7. Reduce chances of errors that may occur due to human causes.

Benefits to the patients include:

  1. Patient’s can book an appointment anytime from the comfort of their home.
  2. They can use the services of the app 24/7.
  3. Pay medical bills, and access medical records from a single app.
  4. Communicate with the healthcare providers in real time.

Three Tips for Successful Implementation of Doctors Appointment app

Now that you know the advantages of the doctor appointment app development, you may not have any doubt as to whether or not you need the app. As much as the app is helpful, it takes a careful approach to make it truly work. Many different apps launch and then fizzle out due to small mistakes or because they overlooked one or the other thing.
Here are some tips you can keep in mind, so you do not have to make the same mistakes as others.

Take Wearables into Account

Wearables have an immense market. People from all age groups increasingly use them. It is also easily accessible and affordable. The amount of data a wearable health tech generates is immense. It is also a great way to monitor patients who are under chronic illnesses.

Compliance and Regulations

This is perhaps the trickiest part of a doctor’s appointment app. Since it is relatively new, few users know the privacy policies, how the information is used, and more. Regulatory bodies also keep a tight leash on companies for collecting, storing, and processing patient data. These regulations change over time and may prove hard to keep up. You must make sure your app is compliant and follows all regulations.

Managing Doctors Listing

The doctor’s appointment app will require a doctor’s listing. You can manage the doctor listing on your own via an admin panel. Or you can use a second app for doctors where they can edit details on their own and manage their appointments.

When doctors have an app, they can manage it themselves, taking a load off your head. Patients can also get accurate data directly from doctors.

Development Tips: Features You’ll Find in a Great Doctor’s Appointment App

A well-developed on-demand doctor app is marked by the features it has. Here are some features you need to include in a doctor’s appointment app.

  1. Customization: Each healthcare facility has its own needs. A good app is marked by its ability to be customized to the client’s needs.
  2. Video consultation: A doctor appointment app has the primary facility to conduct a virtual consultation, which will significantly organize a doctor’s office.
  3. Multi-Language patient app: Considering the patients and doctors of various ethnicities using the app, the app should support English and other regional languages.
  4. Separate Mobile App for Patients and Doctors: Ideally, a doctor’s appointment app will have separate apps, one for the patient to make appointments, make virtual consolation, etc. The doctor’s app will have provisions to schedule visits, access EHR, organize consultations, etc.
  5. Own payment gateway: The app should provide the convenience of a payment gateway so that patients can make secure payments.
  6. Professional Profile: Doctors should be able to maintain a professional profile, which the patients can look up before choosing to consult them.
  7. Patient History and Electronic Medical Records: The app should integrate the patient history and previous medical records so that doctors and patients can easily access and manage them.
  8. Appointment Management: The star feature of an appointment management app is this feature. It enables patients to easily make appointments with the doctor they need according to their availability, and doctors can manage appointments and schedule their work around it.
  9. Digital Medicine order: Doctors can make digital medicine orders within the app so that the patient gets it on their profile. There is no mix-up or confusion, they simply have to show it to the pharmacy.
  10. Home Delivery of Medicines Based on Medicine order: Patients can also order medicines online, which will be delivered to their homes if they use the online pharmacy module.
  11. Peer-to-peer support: Patients can find support groups and communities to discuss their treatment journey. The feature to make communities makes the patients connect to the app intimately.
  12. 3rd Party software integrations: The app should be enabled with 3rd party software integration to enable different services. Accessing EHR, maps, calendars, etc., requires provisions to integrate.

Plan Your Budget: What Is The Cost To Make A Doctor’s Appointment App?

A doctor appointment app might cost between $40,000 and $50,000 to develop on average. The price range for adding sophisticated features like artificial intelligence is between $100,000 and $150,000.
Additional factors like the features and functionalities, app categories, UI and design, and development time also vary the cost of developing an app. The company you choose to develop your app also decides how much you will have to spend on the app.

Instead of spending money on developing a highly advanced full-fledged doctor appointment booking app, we advise starting with an MVP to gauge market acceptance before expanding to include other healthcare app features. By doing this, you could avoid giving users everything upfront and having the same medical app features for all time, ensuring that you are constantly adding value to their lives.

Our Top Tech Tricks to Remember While Developing the Doctor Consultation App

There are several ways in which you can make your doctor app or Telemedicine app development process easier. Since other products are already on the market, you can thoroughly research and find the shortcuts and tricks to improve your app.

There are several APIs that are extremely useful. You can use them to make your app much more polished and feature-rich. Here is a quick look at some of them.

  1. Manage and maintain booking via 10to8’s API. It is a great tool that saves you a lot of time developing from scratch.
  2. Symptom Checker API has a repository of symptoms by which the patients can be allocated to the doctor most apt to treat those symptoms.
  3. BetterDoctor API shows data about doctors, helping you find the best doctor for your needs.
  4. SimplyBook.me API can be used to schedule appointments with the doctor of your choice.
  5. Doctoralia API has a detailed listing of doctors with reviews from other patients so that patients can make better bookings.
  6. Payment portals like Stripe and Braintree SDKs are a necessity for managing payments.
  7. Third-party integrations to make your app packed with features like Twilio for video calling, Tawk.to for chatting, etc. Payment integration for national and international payments like Paytm, PayPal, and Razorpay.

The Perfect Monetisation Strategy for your App

There are many ways to monetize an app and create a paying customer out of your users. Some of these strategies offer the user to experience your services, evaluate them, and then buy a paid service. Others utilize traditional methods of monetization, like advertisements. Let us look into it.

  1. Freemium: This strategy utilizes two versions of the same app. A free version of the app has limited functionalities, while the premium version requires you to pay an amount to unlock all the services. Your users will likely shift to premium to enjoy the advanced functions.
  2. Commission-based model: This model is where you provide a platform for the doctors and patients to interact to make appointments. You can get a fee from the doctors to display their availability.
  3. Local Ads: Healthcare brands often show interest in placing advertisements in your apps. Keeping the relevant ads adds value to your customer’s experience.
  4. Paid Listing: This is another way to earn revenue from doctors. In this way, you offer the doctors more visibility and patients by placing them higher on the list of doctors for a fee.
  5. In-app purchases: This offers the patients to buy services through your app. The app is free, but you earn a commission when the patient pays for medicines, services, and visits through your app.

Building the App with Experts

A doctor consultation app is a great way to improve the patient inflow for hospitals and clinics. Its features and advantages give apps an upper hand over traditional methods. Ultimately it comes down to the quality of your app and how well it is built. A doctor appointment booking app development can be the most crucial step in your journey.

You should hire experts like EMed HealthTech for your app development. EMed HealthTech offers custom healthcare software development services at affordable prices. We use emerging technologies to make sure you get only the best. Our software is richly featured with a robust UI. We also have a healthcare-integrated platform for pharmacy, telemedicine, and lab. Reach out to us today to get an estimate. Our experts are happy to help you.

 

Medical-Care-Can-Be-Valuable

Medical Care Can Be Valuable: Why Healthcare Needs Telemedicine Technology?

Posted on | by Ami Kothari

Technology has enabled medical care to easily find a niche online. With platforms like the Telemedicine app, there is ease in conducting medical services that were not available before. Thanks to COVID, the masses have opened up to the possibility of digital healthcare services exponentially, thus making apparent its benefits. Let us take a detailed look at telemedicine and how it reshapes how we perceive medical care.

What is Telemedicine App Development?

Telemedicine, simply put, is the platform where a medical health care provider is connected to their patient via technology. It has been around since there were advanced means of communication. What started as medical advice via the radio evolved in time to become the full-fledged service portals we now know as telemedicine. Today’s technology has enabled a holistic approach to providing medical services. Its benefits are immense, and it is enjoyed by both the patient and the healthcare provider.

Despite its benefits, telemedicine did not enjoy the acceptance it has today as it did before the COVID pandemic. According to McKinsey.com, the onset of COVID saw a spike in telemedicine usage as high as 32%, which quickly stabilized to be at a rate that is 38 times higher than the pre-COVID period.

How is Telemedicine Used?

The telemedicine app offers a plethora of opportunities for medical staff as well as patients. For patients, the obvious advantage of telemedicine is medical help would be available even if it is remote. This allows a patient to save the resources used to reach the medical facility, and it gives the patient the option of discretion. Medicines could be prescribed online, and medicines can reach one’s home even by simply opting for delivery.

For medical care providers, telemedicine provides access to chronically ill or critically ill patients from their homes, access to more patients from remote areas, lower exposure to pathogens, consultation from home, etc.
Hospitals and clinics are increasingly adopting telemedicine technology and strategies to include virtual medical care in their services. The immense benefits it provides to the medical care facility regarding business cannot be ignored.

Let us now look at the benefits of telemedicine and what makes it an indispensable aspect of modern medicine.

The Benefits of Telemedicine

benefits-telemedicine

Low Cost

One of the biggest advantages of telemedicine is that it allows the patient to consult the doctor without spending the money and time to travel to the healthcare center. The patient will only have to remit the consultation charges.

Data Management Tools

Telemedicine app allows medical care providers and patients to update their data on a single platform. Medical facilities can store this data to maintain a comprehensive medical history of the patient. This will help provide treatment strategies and analytical insights from large amounts of data.

Remote Access

This is a matter of both access and comfort. Patients who do not have easy access to medical facilities as they live in remote areas can avail of telemedicine to meet their medical consultations. In other cases, patients might prefer the comfort of their homes to meeting the doctor online. This would give them the privacy a public place might not offer.

Access to Specialist Doctors

A patient seeking a specialist doctor may have to travel great distances to meet them. Since specialist doctors, especially those specializing in rare fields, are hard to come by. It can also be difficult to get appointments with them. With a doctor appointment booking app, all of it gets easier. Be it the distance, scheduling an appointment, or the cost of travel.

No More Queues

Another outstanding advantage of telemedicine is the dreaded wait in the waiting room. It is daunting enough to drag oneself out to meet a doctor but to wait in line till one’s turn can prove a little too much for a patient. With telemedicine, there is no need to wait in line and bear the discomfort. With telemedicine, one has to meet the doctor at the appointed time online, without the wait and queue.

Safety from Infectious Pathogens

This is another obvious benefit for both the doctor and the patient. Patients can save themselves from being in crowded rooms with many other sick patients, and the doctor need not meet every infected patient. This way, a lot of unnecessary exposure and risk can be minimized.

Scheduling Appointments and Follow Ups.

With telemedicine apps, making an appointment with a doctor is easy. One simply has to find the doctor, check their availability and make a booking. Telemedicine also enables easy follow-up for patients as they can talk to their doctor via video or call to give updates.

Flexibility

Working individuals and students need not take days off to consult a doctor. With telehealth facilities, they can simply schedule an appointment according to their convenience. This flexibility benefits the doctor too. Scheduling appointments via telemedicine allows the doctor to easily book and cancel appointments and even provide extended service hours.

Emergency Services

A significant benefit of telehealth is access to quality healthcare in cases of emergency. If a patient can access emergency doctors in the middle of the night or from a remote area for an emergency, they can provide valuable medical help to avoid bigger problems.

Overall Better Health

The biggest benefit and outcome of telemedicine is that it provides access to overall better health. When a person has access to quality healthcare services at any given time, with proper follow-up, at affordable rates, the chances of being healthy are higher.

Conclusion

The benefits of telemedicine are immense. It is no wonder that healthcare IT services are increasingly being adopted by hospitals and clinics. Be it a facility of any size, there is a telemedicine application that is built to suit its needs. Telemedicine apps may be custom-made for healthcare facilities with unique features that cater to the facility’s specific needs. It may also be generic and readymade software solutions that can cater to broad categories of healthcare facilities. Choosing one according to one’s needs and budget is what matters.

Also, check out The Seven Challenges of Telemental Health and How to Overcome Them.

However, the harder part is choosing the company for your telemedicine app development when they are available a dime a dozen, it is safe to stick to the well-established names in the industry. EMed HealthTech is a leading provider of healthcare IT solutions and services to leading healthcare facilities worldwide. With almost a decade of experience, we have a team of seasoned designers and developers who create applications that are a perfect fit for you. Reach out to EMed HealthTech today to get a free estimate for Telemedicine app!

All-in-One-Guide

A Guide to Custom Healthcare Software Development

Posted on | by Ami Kothari

Healthcare and technology have found new grounds for collaboration with the various forms of virtual health care via Telemedicine apps. Be it for your appointment with your doctor, collecting blood reports, or even tracking your general well-being and vitals, there is a technological solution for it today.

Healthcare technology has eased the many problems we face from the conventional healthcare system. Virtual healthcare in the form of virtual doctor visits, mobile pharmaceuticals, laboratory service, and health records management has become a household name as well as a need of time. The shift to technologically advanced solutions that are convenient is inevitable.

Let us then take a look at what the numbers suggest:

  1. Although telemedicine or virtual healthcare has been around for a long time, its usage saw an all-time spike in April of 2020. The usage of virtual healthcare during April 2020 was 78x higher than in February 2020, according to McKinsey and Company.
  2. The Asia-Pacific regions reported a surge from 4% to 56% during 2021, as per a survey by Willis Towers Watson.
  3. The Indian telemedicine industry is predicted to have a CAGR of 23.89% from 2020-2025 according to biresearch.com.

Apart from the response from the patients, healthcare providers are also eagerly adopting virtual care and telemedicine software solutions. According to the survey by COVID-19 Healthcare Coalition, more than 60% of healthcare providers found telehealth applications more convenient and more than 50% found more work satisfaction.

What is Healthcare Software Development?

custom-healthcare-software

Many different software solutions are designed to help the functioning of healthcare personnel or centers. They perform a broad range of activities that optimize performance, manage data, cut down the time taken and reduce costs in the process of imparting healthcare services.

Healthcare software is used by both healthcare service providers as well as receivers. Hence it has features as well as specific user interfaces that cater to both ends. Each healthcare software is made to suit the needs of the situation, be it a large hospital or a small clinic.

Healthcare software can thus be considered a broad name for all the different applications that cater to the healthcare industry. We will discuss more of the different types below.

Different Types of Healthcare Software

It is no secret that the prevalence of smartphones and tablets has enabled the use of healthcare software on a large scale. There are umpteen apps that provide some sort of healthcare service. Be it a platform to connect to a healthcare provider or one that promotes general wellness, the numbers keep on growing.

Healthcare apps can be divided in a broad stroke into two- for healthcare providers and patients or general users. The apps and the functionalities that cater to each are vastly different from the others.

Custom Healthcare Software for Patients

The software designed for patients and general users is designed to solve one or the other health issue, monitor health, etc. These apps allow them to seek medical attention if needed. Here are some of the different types of custom software developed for patients.

 

software-development

  1. Healthcare accessibility software: These are software that allows users who need medical consultation to seek it personally. These are designed to be multifaceted, one of which serves the patient. It allows for easy and convenient consultation which would otherwise take a lot of time and money. It may also have features that allow users to access their laboratory reports, access pharmacies to place orders, and store medical history and access it with ease.
  2. Mental Health Software: Virtual care has created greater access to mental health services. There is dedicated software that provides the platform for consultations, therapy sessions, etc.
  3. Health monitoring software: These are the most prevalent form of healthcare software. They provide a plethora of services that help manage health issues. They allow patients to keep track of their illnesses.
  4. Medication and pharmaceutical services: These apps allow patients to virtually place orders for their medicines, make subscription offers for long-term medications, and more. There are also apps designed to remind patients to take medication on time.
  5. Lifestyle apps: These are applications that guide users to lead healthy eating habits and hobbies that promote general wellness.
  6. Fitness apps: These apps cater to those who are looking for personalized solutions to their fitness problems. Solutions like exercise, yoga, activities like sports, and diet plans to help achieve fitness goals.

 

Custom Healthcare Software Development for Healthcare Professionals

When it comes to custom software development for healthcare practitioners or providers, it caters to a lot of different categories of people and services. Some of these apps have more than one functionality and some have all. Depending upon the need of the medical care facility, they are:

 

types-of-healthcare-software

  1. Telehealth: Applications that provide a platform for healthcare providers to impart their services are referred to as telehealth applications. Telemedicine apps and Doctor appointment booking apps are used by doctors for consultations and make it very convenient for both the doctor and the patient.
  2. Hospital management software: These are software that is integrated into the hospital system to enable smooth and optimized functioning of the different aspects of a hospital. It also provides data management capabilities, insurance, and payment processing, administrative work, claims management, and patient information.
  3. Health Record Software: These act as repositories of information, that provides a unified platform to easily access patient records and medical history. Knowing the health records of a patient gives the healthcare professional a better idea of providing treatment.
  4. E-Medicine order software: Share medicine orders with ease to patients using this application.
  5. Monitoring software: This software allows healthcare providers to closely monitor the health of patients. This is useful for patients who are chronically ill or are at some incapacity to take care of themselves.

 

How to Build a Custom Healthcare Software Development?

A software solution for your healthcare facility or business is a great initiative as the above-mentioned stats prove how much they are in demand. It also has other advantages like optimizing performance, improving efficiency, increasing revenue, and increasing customer satisfaction.

There are two ways to build a custom healthcare software

  1. employing an in-house team of developers
  2. Outsourcing

While employing an in-house team may seem like a feasible option due to proximity, speed, and efficiency, it has many disadvantages like higher expenditure, lack of expertise or experience, etc.
Time and again healthcare facilities chose to employ outsourced talent to build custom software for healthcare.

Before you consider picking a custom healthcare app development company like EMed HealhTech you should look for technological expertise, industry knowledge, the capacity and scalability of the company, and its developer’s skills. Another important aspect is the security measures that are incorporated into the healthcare app as it deals with very sensitive information.

Why Choose EMed HealthTech to Develop a Custom Healthcare Software?

EMed HealthTech is a leading healthcare IT company that focuses on delivering quality and innovation. We cater to healthcare facilities of all sizes and provide customized healthcare IT solutions that help improve business prospects.

Your search for hiring healthcare software developers ends with EMed HealthTech. Contact us today to get a free estimate for your custom medical software development project.

 

Common-Challenges-of-Telemental-Health

The Seven Challenges of Telemental Health and How to Overcome Them?

Posted on | by Ami Kothari

The mental health scenario in India is a bleak one, with one in every seven people suffering from a clinically diagnosable mental disorder, according to a study by Lancet Psychiatry. There is also a huge disparity in the doctor-patient ratio. The required ratio, according to WHO, stands at 3 psychiatrists per 100,000 population, but India has only 0.75 psychiatrists per 100,000. This ratio is made taking into consideration that India is a low-income country.

However, with the entry of telemedicine into the mainstream, things are starting to look different. A virtual care system nullifies a lot of the geographical and physical barriers that keep a person from mental health services. With more access and awareness, the social stigma surrounding mental health issues also disperse. However, implementing a telemental health service has its challenges. We discuss some of the major challenges faced by Telemental Health and Telemedicine app development and how to overcome them.

 

Telemental Health Landscape in India

The telemental health landscape got a boost this year with the central government launching its National Tele-Mental Health Program (NTMPH).

The launch comes as a welcome change in the wake of the COVID pandemic. Having to withdraw from social circles, being forced into isolation, loss of loved ones, and threatened job security are post-COVID factors that have left a debilitating impact on mental health.

However, mental health issues are not just personal struggles. Studies show a deep connection between mental health crises and the economy of a nation. A simple explanation could be that poor mental health causes a loss of productivity, negatively affecting businesses and by extension, the whole economy. Not surprisingly, poor mental health is believed to have cost the world economy a whopping $2·5 trillion on average in 2010 — a number that’s about to rise to an unbelievable $6 trillion by 2030. India, alone, is estimated to face an economic loss of US$ 1.03 trillion due to mental health problems, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

While the new action plans and studies shed a ray of hope on the telemental health care scenario, it is not without its own set of challenges.

Challenges of Telemental Health

challenges

Privacy

One of the major challenges in making use of the telemental health care system would be privacy. While privacy is a must in every medical consultation, in the case of mental health issues, there is the weight of social stigma attached to it. If a person decides to reach out to a mental health professional for help, this is often done discreetly. The lack of a private space is also a concern given that most Indian households have joint family systems. A space that is private and safe is a must to ensure that patients can fully avail of telemental health services.

Preference for in-person care

Despite the availability of virtual care, some people prefer in-person care. This is because mental health issues are more sensitive. Being able to confide in the presence of another person provides the warmth of human contact while a virtual consultation might seem cold and distant. It is also important to consider that most people would be forced to stay in an environment that might be conducive to their mental health deterioration. In-person, care ensures that the patient is part of a support group and in an environment that acknowledges their issues.

This preference gets in the way of patients accessing mental health services as well as telemental health providers.

Digital Literacy and Networking Issues

Using telemental health applications means that the patient requires a certain amount of know-how about technology. India particularly faces a large demographic of digitally challenged people, which amounts to 80% of 1.4 billion people. Digital literacy gets in the way of the proper implementation of telemental health programs.

Another glaring issue is connectivity. While there is an equivalent of 81.3% of the total population, the internet penetration rate in India is still at 47% as of 2021. This means that more than half of the population does not have access to the Internet. Because most telemental health services take place over the internet, a large portion of the people is not able to access this due to low connectivity.

Strategies to Overcome the Challenges

The challenges faced by the telemedicine industry in implementing its services are often broad. Here are a few strategies we can adopt to battle the challenges.

Awareness and Education on mental health

A developing country like India has its own set of social stigmas when it comes to dealing with mental health issues. Myths and superstitions get in the way of proper diagnosis and treatment. Creating awareness through campaigns to all people of all ages, introducing mental health issue awareness in school curriculums, and breaking the myths surrounding mental health treatment can help tackle this challenge to a large extent.

Better connectivity

India is a developing country and is only slowly pacing towards a fully networked society. Creating better connections is a slow process, but one that can create significant changes. With better connectivity, mental health services can reach remote areas and persons with restrictions on mobility.

Digital literacy

India’s statistics on digital literacy, as mentioned above, are bleak. While there are a lot of mobile phone users as per the statistics, not many may be literate on anything beyond the basic functionalities. Inculcating proper digital literacy into the school curriculum, and through social channels to reach the older crowd can help better the digital literacy rate. Updating to smartphones is also important to avail advanced services of telemental health.

Telemedicine App Development for Telemental Health

Telemedicine applications are software built especially for dispersing virtual medical care. It is a multifaceted application that is intended for multiple types of users. It has particular interfaces for patients, doctors, healthcare staff, pharmaceuticals, and administrative staff. Each interface has its functionalities, all of which when working in tandem provide a seamless user experience.

The telemedicine app or doctor appointment booking app has features like AI-powered automation which enables chatbots and other day-to-day activities. Data analytics and business intelligence provide valuable insights that can help make informed decisions. ERP capabilities in the telemedicine app help with management and business activities. When built to the specific need of a healthcare facility, a telemedicine app can become a powerful platform for virtual medical care.

Final Words

Building a telemedicine app is a significant business step. The ideal telemedicine app development company will provide the necessary features for your specific need, 24*7 SLA customer support, and will have experience and proven mettle with a seasoned team of experts.

EMed HealthTech is a leading name in providing scalable, cost-effective, and customized telemedicine app development services for healthcare facilities of all sizes. Our healthcare apps have a proven track record of optimizing operations. Talk to us today about your telemedicine app development needs.