The newest trends in the healthcare scenario boomed when patients began to demand healthcare on their schedule, and with this, rose the need for on-demand healthcare. Companies, clinics, and medical companies are shifting towards this flexible, but a risk-taking scenario where they have realized that the traditional business processes are becoming obsolete and a new disruption is going to yield mammoth results.
A lot of these trends have already entered the market, and have made their deep impact – telemedicine and artificial intelligence-enabled medical devices are just a couple of examples of this. Now that we are ushering in the new year, it is important to concentrate custom healthcare software development on catering to patient demands as they are already making informed decisions while monitoring their health and lifestyle.
So let’s look at the new trends that you must incorporate in your new healthcare mobile application in the coming year.
- Blockchain systems
Blockchain systems give patients the promise of better EHR (Electronic Health Records). People have moved on from the ‘scare’ they had during the burst of the cryptocurrency bubble, and the concept of Blockchain is no longer vague or puzzling anymore.
Blockchain is nothing but a digital ledger containing a computerized database of transactions. This can be shared across several networks, without the need for any third-parties, and patients can share their information safely and securely. Blockchain can be used in the healthcare industry to unify all patient data with relevant apps.
Blockchain can address the present shortcomings in the data entry system and centralize the data shared and accessed. Patients send their data to a blockchain network using an app, and doctors can access this information and suggest remedies.
- AI-powered chatbots and diagnostic systems
Mobile apps that use artificial intelligence to deliver personalized care to patients are in high demand. Though people had their initial reservations about talking to online assistants, they slowly adjusted to the idea and began to share their symptoms, while the apps determined the level of care they needed. These smart algorithm-powered text and voice-based assistants have reduced the rush at waiting rooms.
Chatbots in healthcare applications are making the lives of patients easier, and this feature makes it extremely popular and well-appreciated. For example, OneRemission is an application with a chatbot that makes life easier for cancer patients.
- Remote monitoring by doctors through an electronic health recorder
Sometimes patients may not be able to get to a hospital when they need quick assistance. In such cases, remote monitoring through a mobile app would help greatly.
Doctors can track their patient’s health status, heart rate, blood levels, glucose readings, and other vitals, and suggest medication before the patient needs to get to the hospital. Monitoring in this manner can save a lot of lives.
- Patient health tracking for constant monitoring
Clinical and diagnostic apps are becoming extremely popular and will continue to be trendy next year. Monitoring the patient’s health through geolocation and activity tracking will keep the physicians apprised in real-time. This would be particularly useful in the Covid 19 pandemic situation and afterward. And it’s greatly helpful for physicians who are monitoring the health of their patients from afar.
For example, there are a handful of apps like Runkeeper, Zombies, Run to track indoor and outdoor fitness regimens of users, and Sleep Cycle Alarm Clock, Pillow, Sleep Genius to monitor the quality of sleep, and so on. The possibilities are endless.
- Cloud-based applications for timely, accurate, networked healthcare
According to UIC Health Informatics, about 83% of healthcare organizations are using cloud-based applications, making it obvious that cloud technology will continue to be trendy. This opens up a single access point through which physicians can tend to patient data, access results, and confer with other patients to provide more precise treatment.
Apart from that, cloud computing in healthcare systems also enables efficient data storage solutions, better security, and of course, drives data interoperability. With data interoperability, there can be a number of connected medical systems, IoT devices, and applications to provide better patient care outcomes.
- Big Data and Analytics
Through big data and analytics, it is possible to accumulate, manage, analyze, and assimilate huge volumes of data, however unstructured they may be, and aid in the process of care delivery.
Big data can fight cancer, monitor patient vitals, prevent fraud, generate new insights in disease exploration, provide treatment methods, and so on.
- Better personalization and increased gamification
New health apps in the market will facilitate a personal approach that users cherish. For example, giving them small nudges to stay healthy and fit, to continue with their treatment, or even maintain health-improving behaviors.
This kind of personalized approach really does help in maintaining a connection with users. Gamification also allows the apps to engage the users by making health-related activities easy and fun-inducing.
- More holistic view of patient health through interoperability
Interoperability is growing, and with this, clinicians will be able to garner information from a variety of mobile apps and wearables through a single dashboard and provide holistic care to their patients.
Interoperability will be a mighty trend in 2021, and it will be accompanied by advanced analytics, sophisticated machine learning, and diagnostics driven by artificial intelligence to provide exemplary care management solutions.
- Privacy concerns and vulnerabilities will be seriously dealt with
Though there are numerous healthcare applications and devices, people still worry about their security and how their personal data will be utilized.
Nothing can undermine the importance of patient security and privacy. Safeguarding privacy calls for a standardized system that can be executed on a global level and compliance like HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) and Health Information Trust Alliance (Health Information Trust Alliance) are the answers to these concerns. Both these compliance works in tandem to face the challenges faced by the healthcare industry, and solve the data theft and security leak issues.
Reputed software development companies will focus on the trust they’ve developed over the years and address the vulnerabilities and privacy concerns to release applications that users can trust. Part of the 2021 imperative would be to increase mobility, improve virtual communication with patients, and deliver a reliable clinician experience.
- Internet of Medical Things
Internet of Medical Things is the combination of Telehealth technologies and IoT, and it’s already a hot trend now. With smartwatches, smart scales, ECG and EKG monitors, and a lot more to come, monitoring health has taken a whole new level of modernity.
When there is an amalgamation of medical devices and applications, it becomes imperative that they all work together and in tandem to ensure uninterrupted care.
Conclusion
The healthcare system is going through a seismic shift, and patients have more access to their healthcare systems and data than ever before. It is important to cater to their demands to stay ahead of the game. For further discussion on your healthcare application development get in touch with Cabot Technology Solutions.
