The digital transformation of the healthcare industry, though slowly, but has finally geared its way towards success. With new changes that keep occurring and the extensive reach of mobile phones, the development of healthcare apps has risen considerably. User demand and the need to be at par with the other markets have led to digitalization, and more specifically, the growth of the healthcare mobile app industry.
The fact that this industry is still in its growing stages is bound to project particular challenges for the developers. Some of the challenges involved while developing a healthcare app are listed below. An insider in a healthcare mobile app development company helped us to create this list.
1) User interface
This is the most important as well as a challenging aspect of developing a healthcare app. The challenge is to create an interface that is suitable for the patients as well as the providers. If any of them receives more benefits than the others, then the app is not appropriate and is not likely to attain success.
With the use of several GUIs, it may be possible to establish an interface that benefits both. Also, the fact that the interface must be user-friendly needs to be kept in consideration during the development.
2) Payment mode
The popularity of a healthcare app depends on the various payment modes that it can offer to the patients or users. The more diversified options that the app has, the more people will be interested in it. Direct access to bank and payment via credit or debit cards ensures that the app is developed, keeping the needs of the users in mind. Moreover, security during the transactions must be tight and not be accessible to hackers.
3) Security
One of the most common yet complex challenges that app developers face is the threat of a cyber-attack. The hackers are poised and ready to strike at any given time to extract and steal vital confidential information, including health information, financial data, and several other personal details. To overcome this issue, a recovery plan must be made in advance.
4) Interaction with patients
It is vital that the patients feel valued and not tolerated while using the healthcare app. The primary challenge is to keep the interests of the patients without making it too official or boring. Integration of user-friendly features like the request of prescriptions, 24*7 customer care service, ability to schedule or cancel appointments with ease, etc. aid in maintaining transparency with the patients. These features also assist in making the medical experience much more appealing.
5) Health literacy
Health literacy and the gap bound to exist between healthcare providers and patients need to be addressed by the developers. It is crucial that there is a breakdown of the medical jargon in layman terms for the patients to have a clear understanding. The healthcare providers also need to contribute to this by estimating the rate of health literacy of a patient and then proceed accordingly.
6) Integration complexities
The simplistic approach of the app and its seamless integration with the existing system is necessary for it to function with relative efficiency. The app must be developed in a way that is similar to the already existing healthcare system so as not to force the patients as well as doctors to learn unnecessary aspects.
The easy navigation of the app is ultimately beneficial to all- healthcare providers as well as patients. Also, developers must keep in mind that healthcare apps are not the right platform to showcase their talents in executing complex functionalities.
7) Concern about data privacy
The concern about the misuse of data provided by the users or patients is genuine. Though the collection of health information is necessary, it is also critical to ensure that their data are secure and are not at the risk of being exploited.
The healthcare apps must rigidly follow the guidelines established by HIPPA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act). This is extremely important to ensure that the privacy of the patient is maintained at all costs.
These are some of the challenges that are expected to be faced by healthcare app developers in 2020. While these challenges may be difficult, they are not impossible to overcome. Exploring innovative solutions and practically employing them will help you to solve these challenges with relative ease.