Overview: The use of healthcare apps has risen in the last 5 years. Patients had access to over 318,000 apps in 2018, with 200 new ones developed daily. This number has likely increased due to Covid-19. If you want to build your own healthcare app, TechnBrains is here with a comprehensive guide. Healthcare mobile app development is revolutionizing the way...
Last update date: Jul 29, 2023
Overview: The use of healthcare apps has risen in the last 5 years. Patients had access to over 318,000 apps in 2018, with 200 new ones developed daily. This number has likely increased due to Covid-19. If you want to build your own healthcare app, TechnBrains is here with a comprehensive guide.
Healthcare mobile app development is revolutionizing the way we access medical information and services. A healthcare app will make it easier for users to connect with healthcare experts and manage their health conveniently.
Healthcare and Medical Apps helps everyone, doctors, patients, nurses, pharmacists and administrators. If you would like to build your healthcare app, we’ve put together a guide that will give you the support you need to get started.
Additionally, we will examine the various types of healthcare apps, successful examples, the cost of development, and tips for choosing the right healthcare app development company.
Healthcare app development is the process of building a mobile application to cater the healthcare needs of the user. It can be general wellness and fitness tracking to complex medical diagnoses the user will be able to submit and follow them in real-time.
These apps serve as a bridge between patients and healthcare providers, offering services that improve healthcare access, efficiency, and patient outcomes. You can also hire app developers to get this job done.
If you are interested in building a healthcare mobile app, there are services available for you to explore. Take a closer look at the Key Health App Sector Statistics below:
Healthcare app development is beneficial for many reasons, some of which are:
Health apps cater to the general public, while medical apps are intended for use by medical professionals to enhance patient care and collaboration among healthcare experts. Here are some key differences between them:
| Health App | Medical App |
| For General public and individuals seeking wellness | For Medical professionals and healthcare providers |
| Promote overall health and wellness | Facilitate diagnosis, treatment, and clinical support |
| Fitness tracking, sleep monitoring, mental health support, personal health goals | Diagnosis based on analytical data to electronic health records |
| Typically does not require direct claims on medical evidence | Must comply with strict medical regulations and adhere to standards |
| Generally lower development costs | Development process can be more complex and costly |
| Users access to monitor their health conditions and lifestyle habits | Medical professionals access electronic health records and patient information |
| Empower individuals to manage their well-being | Enhance patient care and collaboration among healthcare experts |
By utilizing tracking, fitness, and health information, users can actively engage in managing their well-being, while medical professionals can access critical data, exchange insights, and stay updated with the latest medical practices and advancements.
Healthcare app development encompasses two main types of applications:
These apps cater to different user groups and serve diverse purposes within the healthcare industry. Let us look at them in detail:
| Professional Solutions | Applications for Patients | |
| Target Audience | Medical professionals, doctors, nurses, healthcare providers | Individuals seeking to manage their health and well-being |
| Purpose | Streamline medical practices, patient management, | Empower patients to monitor health, access |
| administrative functions | medical information, and receive personalized care | |
| Examples | Lybrate | Epocrates |
| Working Model | – Database | – Health Monitoring |
| – Networking (Clinical and Patient Communication) | – Medication Management | |
| – Patient Health Tracker | – Lifestyle and Mental Health Support | |
| – Doctor Scheduling | – Women’s Health Apps | |
| – Telehealth | ||
| – Medical Record | ||
| – Risk Assessment | ||
| – Medication Prescription and Dosage | ||
| Revenue Generation | – Cost Savings | – In-App Purchases |
| – Subscription-based Models | – Free Trial Model | |
| Limitations | – Complexity | – Competition |
| – Regulatory Compliance | – User Validation |
Professional healthcare apps are designed for use by medical professionals, doctors, nurses, and healthcare providers. They aim to streamline medical practices, patient management, and administrative functions. Examples of such apps include Lybrate, which helps doctors manage staff and patient interactions efficiently.
Patient-oriented healthcare apps cater to individuals seeking to manage their health and well-being effectively. These apps empower patients to monitor their health, access medical information, and receive personalized care. Examples include Epocrates, which provides services for patient management and point of care.
Healthcare apps cater to various user groups and serve different purposes, making a significant impact on the healthcare industry by enhancing patient care, streamlining processes, and providing valuable medical support.
To meet the demands of the healthcare market and create effective healthcare applications, it’s crucial to understand the trending use cases in this field. Below are some of the most popular use cases for healthcare apps:
Telehealth and telemedicine apps have gained significant traction, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic and social isolation. These applications facilitate remote medical consultations between doctors and patients, enabling efficient healthcare services and online communication.
EHR/EMR solutions provide a centralized platform to track, store, update, and collect all medical information about a patient. This streamlines healthcare processes, eliminates manual errors, and enables the exchange of patient data between different healthcare institutions.
HIE solutions focus on tracking vital signs, such as body temperature, blood pressure, and heart rate, to make accurate diagnoses and maintain patients’ well-being. These solutions allow easy and quick measurement of vital parameters using a smartphone’s authentication, facilitating faster data transfer and efficient monitoring by healthcare professionals.
Built-in diagnostic systems collect and process data from embedded and IoT devices, integrating with EHR platforms. This enables doctors to visualize, analyze, and diagnose the condition of remote patients, track their progress, and determine suitable treatments.
E-prescribing systems enable doctors to create, store, and send out prescriptions using electronic health record systems. This solution minimizes errors during check-out and saves time for both doctors and patients.
RCM (Reliability-centered maintenance) solutions offer medical billing systems that cover Electronic Health Records (EHR) and Practice Management (PM) services. Users can access patient records and check bills on the go, without the need for separate sign-ins or expensive hardware. This solution ensures data security and compliance.
Now that you have decided to build a healthcare app of your own, below are some features for a healthcare app for doctors and patients.
These use cases illustrate the diversity of healthcare applications, ranging from telehealth services and electronic health records to diagnostic systems and medical billing solutions.
As healthcare technology continues to evolve, these applications will play an increasingly vital role in transforming the healthcare industry and enhancing patient care. Let us look at the healthcare app development cost below:
| Function / Feature | Estimated Time (hours) | Cost ($) |
| Profile | 60 | $60 |
| Social Sign-Ins | 110 | $110 |
| Push Notifications | 130 | $130 |
| Chat or Messenger | 220 | $220 |
| Video Conferencing | 200 | $200 |
| Geo-Location | 230 | $230 |
| File Storage | 100 | $100 |
| HIPAA Compliance | 250 | $250 |
| Total | 1300 | $1,300 |
The cost of developing a healthcare app depends on the features and capabilities it offers. For healthcare mobile app development, you typically require a team including Front-End Developer, Back-End Developer, DevOps, Business Analyst, Compliance Expert, UI/UX Expert, Project Manager, and Quality Assurance.
Let’s consider an example of patient-centric on-demand doctor app development and estimate the cost based on the integration of various features:
The cost estimation is based on the number of hours required for building the Healthcare app. There are three options for developing a healthcare app: hiring an in-house team, hiring freelancers, or outsourcing.
Hiring an in-house team can be costly, with rates ranging from $100 to $200 per hour. Freelancers may offer cost savings but might not guarantee quality. An outsourcing agency from Ukraine can provide competitive rates.
Here, the cost of developing healthcare applications is approximately $40 per hour on average.
Considering the estimated hours for development, quality assurance, and project management, the cumulative cost for healthcare app development would be $63,200.
Now that we have calculated the cost, let’s move on to the steps of healthcare mobile development.
Please note that the provided cost estimates are approximate and can vary based on project complexity, team rates, and other factors. It’s essential to discuss the specific requirements with a development team to get an accurate cost estimation for a healthcare app.
To start a successful business, brainstorm a unique idea, research the market, test your hypothesis, create an MVP, and plan the design process. Here is a step-by-step guide to healthcare mobile app development:
Identify a healthcare problem or challenge that needs a digital solution. Conduct market research to understand the demand and competition in the healthcare app market. Seek feedback from healthcare professionals and potential users to validate the feasibility of your idea.
Research the target audience and potential user base for the healthcare app. Analyze data using tools like Google Trends and Google Keywords Planner to understand market trends and user preferences. Seek feedback from entrepreneurs and healthcare experts to gain insights into the industry and customer needs.
Plan for customer acquisition by using targeted ads and creating user-friendly landing pages. Conduct customer interviews and usability tests to validate the effectiveness and appeal of your app. Utilize promotion and marketing strategies to reach your target audience and build a customer/user base.
Develop an MVP that includes the core features of the healthcare app. Focus on essential functions, such as finding specialists, booking appointments, chatting with doctors, and storing medical records. Integrate key features like geolocation, HIPAA-compliant messaging, cloud storage, push notifications, and calendar and scheduling.
Ensure that the healthcare app has an intuitive and user-friendly design. Pay attention to UI/UX elements, screen rotations, button placement, and overall visual appeal. Design an app that stands out in the competitive healthcare market and provides a seamless user experience.
By following these steps, you can create a successful healthcare app that addresses specific healthcare challenges, meets user needs, and offers a valuable solution to both healthcare professionals and patients. Remember that ongoing maintenance and updates are also vital to keep the app relevant and efficient over time.
Building an admin panel for a healthcare app requires careful planning and execution to ensure it meets the specific needs of healthcare professionals and administrators. Below is a step-by-step process to build an effective admin panel:
Work closely with healthcare professionals and administrators to understand their specific needs and requirements. Identify the key functionalities that the admin panel should include, such as user management, patient records management, appointment scheduling, analytics and reporting, data visualization, and access control.
Create a user-friendly and intuitive UI design for the admin panel. The design should be easy to navigate and visually appealing. Consider using healthcare-related colors and themes to create a cohesive look with the main healthcare app.
Select the appropriate technology stack for the development of the admin panel. Consider factors such as scalability, security, and ease of integration with the main healthcare app and other systems. Common technology choices include front-end frameworks like React or Angular, and back-end technologies like Node.js or Ruby on Rails.
Security is crucial in a healthcare admin panel. Implement robust user authentication and authorization mechanisms to ensure that only authorized personnel can access and manage sensitive healthcare data. Use secure authentication methods such as two-factor authentication (2FA) or OAuth.
Create features to manage user accounts and roles within the admin panel. This includes the ability to add, edit, and delete users, assign different roles and permissions, and manage user access to specific functionalities.
System Design a comprehensive patient records management system within the admin panel. This should allow healthcare professionals to view, update, and manage patient information, medical history, diagnoses, treatments, and test results securely.
Include a feature for healthcare professionals to schedule and manage appointments with patients. The admin panel should provide an easy-to-use calendar interface with options to view, create, reschedule, and cancel appointments.
Develop analytics and reporting capabilities to provide insights into various aspects of healthcare operations. This may include data visualizations, charts, and graphs to monitor key performance indicators (KPIs), patient outcomes, and resource utilization.
Thoroughly test the admin panel to identify and fix any bugs or issues. Conduct rigorous quality assurance to ensure the panel functions smoothly and meets all the defined requirements.
Deploy the admin panel on a secure and scalable server. Monitor its performance, user activity, and security continuously to address any potential issues promptly.
Offer ongoing technical support and maintenance for the admin panel. Regularly update the panel to add new features, improve security, and enhance performance based on feedback and changing healthcare requirements.
By following this step-by-step process, you can create a robust and efficient admin panel for your healthcare app, enabling healthcare professionals and administrators to manage and optimize healthcare services effectively.
While we look into the best free healthcare apps in 2023, check out these 8 free fitness apps to get you started.
Apple Health is an all-in-one health app developed by Apple that collects and organizes health-related data from various sources, including iPhones, Apple Watches, and other connected devices. It allows users to track various health metrics such as steps, distance, heart rate, sleep patterns, and more. The app also offers medication reminders, allowing users to set notifications for taking their prescribed medicines on time. Furthermore, it provides the option to store and manage important health records, such as allergies, medications, and medical history. With its comprehensive features, Apple Health aims to help users monitor their overall health and well-being.
Key Features:
MyFitnessPal is a popular health and fitness app that serves as a comprehensive tool for tracking both diet and exercise. It boasts an extensive database of food items with nutritional values, allowing users to log their daily food intake and monitor calorie consumption. The app also includes a fitness segment that enables users to track their workouts and physical activities. By providing insights into users’ calorie intake and expenditure, MyFitnessPal helps individuals achieve their fitness goals and maintain a balanced lifestyle.
Key Features:
Fitbit is a well-known fitness tracker that comes with various sensors to monitor users’ health and fitness metrics. The device tracks heart rate, Electrodermal Activity (EDA), temperature, sleep patterns, and menstrual cycles for female users. Fitbit provides real-time data on physical activities and allows users to set personal fitness goals. With its user-friendly app and wearable devices, Fitbit encourages users to stay active and maintain a healthy lifestyle.
Key Features:
BetterMe is a health and wellness app that focuses on promoting a healthy lifestyle without extreme weight loss methods. It offers customized workout plans, meal plans, and meditation sessions to improve overall well-being. The app aims to help users develop sustainable habits and make positive changes in their lives.
Key Features:
Noom started as a weight management business and has now expanded into offering behavior change programs for both chronic and non-chronic health conditions. The app provides personalized coaching, tracking tools, and educational resources to support users in their health journey. Noom aims to help users build healthier habits and achieve their health and wellness goals.
Key Features:
Lose It! is a weight loss app that assists users in achieving their diet goals. It allows users to log their food and water intake, providing insights into their calorie consumption. The app sets personalized calorie targets based on users’ weight loss goals and helps them stay on track with their diet plan.
Key Features:
WeightWatchers is a well-known weight loss program that converts nutritional information into a points system. Users track their calorie intake by assigning points to different foods and meals. The app also offers personalized coaching and support to help individuals achieve their weight loss goals effectively.
Key Features:
Flo is a highly popular ovulation and period tracker, fertility calendar, and pregnancy assistant app. It helps women track their menstrual cycles, fertility windows, and ovulation dates. The app provides personalized insights and reminders to help women plan or prevent pregnancies effectively.
Key Features:
Waterlogged is a water tracking app that allows users to set goals for their daily water consumption and receive reminders to stay hydrated. The app helps individuals maintain proper hydration levels throughout the day and supports overall health and well-being.
Key Features:
Fastic promotes weight loss through a program of intermittent fasting, mindfulness, improved nutrition, and better sleep. It offers personalized fasting plans and tracks users’ fasting progress. The app also provides resources and guidance to support a healthy lifestyle.
Key Features:
These top health apps offer a wide range of features and functionalities to support users in their health and wellness journey. From fitness tracking and calorie monitoring to fertility tracking and intermittent fasting plans, these apps cater to various health needs and goals.
TechnBrains can be your reliable healthcare mobile app development company by offering expertise in the following areas:
TechnBrains understands the critical importance of data security in healthcare app development. Healthcare apps deal with sensitive and personal information, including medical records, patient details, and health-related data.
To ensure the highest level of data security, TechnBrains employs robust encryption techniques, secure data storage practices, and adherence to industry standards like HIPAA compliance. Our team conducts thorough security audits to identify and address potential vulnerabilities, protecting your app and users’ data from unauthorized access.
TechnBrains has expertise in integrating healthcare apps with Electronic Health Record (EHR) systems, payment gateways, pharmacy databases, and telehealth platforms, among others.
These integrations enable smooth data exchange and communication between different healthcare entities, streamlining workflows for both medical professionals and patients.
TechnBrains stays at the forefront of technology trends and incorporates new-age development features in healthcare apps. This includes AI-driven functionalities for personalized health recommendations, machine learning algorithms for predictive analysis, and virtual reality (VR) for medical training and patient education.
Our team constantly researches and implements emerging technologies to enhance the user experience and provide innovative solutions to healthcare challenges.
TechnBrains employs a robust technology stack for healthcare mobile app development, ensuring optimal performance and scalability. This stack typically includes platforms like React Native or Flutter for cross-platform development to reach a wider audience on both iOS and Android devices.
We utilize backend technologies such as Node.js or Ruby on Rails for efficient data processing and server-side operations. Additionally, we leverage cloud services like AWS or Azure for secure and scalable data storage.
By choosing TechnBrains as your healthcare app development partner, you can rest assured that your app will be built with the utmost care, adhering to industry standards, and incorporating the latest technologies to deliver a secure, efficient, and user-friendly healthcare solution.
To get the MyChart app, follow these steps:
For Android users:
For iOS (iPhone/iPad) users:
Determining the “best” medical app can depend on your specific needs and preferences. Several medical apps offer different features and focus on various aspects of healthcare. It’s essential to consider factors like user reviews, functionality, security, and compatibility with your device. To find the best medical app for you, consider checking app stores’ top-rated medical apps and reading reviews to see which one suits your requirements the most.
There are numerous apps used for various healthcare purposes. Some common types of healthcare apps include:
Yes, the UnitedHealthcare app is free to download from Google Play Store for Android or App Store for iOS.
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