Telehealth App Development: Everything You Need to Know for the Journey

The world experienced a healthcare crisis during the pandemic. Reaching medical professionals, seeking their guidance, speeding up medical procedures, and many other tasks lagged at a significant cost. All of this happened a lot because of the lack of digital transformation measures. As a result, the need to transform the tech landscape was felt at a global level. That’s when telehealth app development emerged as a pioneering solution for medical service providers. 

Apart from connecting patients and doctors remotely, the tool goes beyond mere virtual consultations. Opting for telehealth app development can be a game-changing decision, introducing a dynamic tool to enhance the overall efficiency of your healthcare services. 

You must be thinking how we can be so sure, right? Well, reports tell that the global telehealth & telemedicine market is projected to reach $285.7 billion by 2028, with an impressive CAGR of 23.2% from 2023 to 2028. Want to be a part of this optimistic transformation? Dive into the blog and learn about the nuts and bolts of telehealth app development. 

Telehealth App Market 

Embrace Telehealth App Development with These Key Technical Considerations 

As a healthcare service provider, you want your patients and doctors to have the best experience. Digital transformation services allow you to deliver that experience. Some of the technologies that these services encompass and are worth investing in are-  

1. Artificial Intelligence

AI in telehealth app development can be the secret to your cutting-edge healthcare services. A survey reveals that 86% of 56 healthcare organizations already use AI. The survey also reveals that up to now, investments in artificial intelligence have proven to be successful, with business sectors centered around cognitive technology experiencing a 14 percent rise in revenue and simultaneously reducing operational costs by 10 percent.  

Some of the key areas where AI is used in telemedicine are:  

Treatment Recommendation 

Machine learning algorithms reduce the need for human intervention and allow the monitoring of treatment outcomes. IBM Watson employs machine learning to provide precise treatment plans derived from thoroughly reviewed clinical data. It helps the company facilitate well-informed recommendations. You can seek machine learning consulting services and plan easy ML integration with experts.  

Also Read: AI Doctor App: The Development Process and Must-have Features

Assisting with Eldercare 

Gartner envisions that 50% of healthcare providers will invest in RPA. Their research predicts that this advancement will address the shortage of home healthcare workers. Japanese-funded eldercare-assistive robots, such as “IBA,” use smart sensors for tasks like walking assistance, bathing, and monitoring weight. Therefore, opting for RP during your telehealth app development can be a leap forward in advancing your healthcare services.  

Making Better Diagnoses 

AI and ML algorithms can retrieve and distribute user data virtually. And this happens with minimal error. For instance, patients can click their pictures in case of visible symptoms and seek medical services without physically visiting doctors. You know what this means, right? By partnering with an expert AI development company, you can facilitate patient consultation with doctors even if they are on the opposite side of the globe. 

2. IoT

IoT greatly boosts telehealth app development, elevating the quality of care beyond traditional in-person methods. 

Enabling Data Collection from Medical Devices 

In telemedicine, doctors face limitations in assessing vital signs like blood pressure or heartbeat. To address this, “CyberMed” integrates IoT, allowing patients to use devices like pulse oximeters or digital stethoscopes during appointments. Data collected is transmitted to the cloud for doctor evaluation. 

Remote Monitoring in Rural Areas 

IoT-powered wireless sensors prove invaluable in monitoring health in rural areas. Smart sensors securely collect patient data, use advanced algorithms for analysis, and share relevant information with healthcare professionals. Thus, with IoT development services, it will become smooth for you to address health monitoring challenges in remote locations.

Also Read: IoT-powered Remote Patient Monitoring Software Development- An Extensive Guide

Features to Consider for Telehealth App Development 

Now that you know how next-generation technology can give you the right shape for your development journey, let’s move forward with the features. Some of the features listed below are already seen in many advanced medical services apps. However, you can keep some features exclusive to your healthcare services by opting for custom software development services.  

Face-to-Face Interaction 

Make virtual consultations available with high-quality audio and video through video conferencing. Doctors and patients will be able to connect effortlessly through this feature. Right from their mobile devices or computers, replicating the in-person experience with clarity and precision will be easy.  

Real-time Communication 

Enhance patient-doctor communication with instant messaging. Going for tailored telehealth app development can help you foster continuous and convenient conversations easily. This way, you can choose how the interaction will take place and even manage the timings. 

Effortless Appointment Scheduling 

Streamline the appointment process with appointment management. The feature will allow patients to have the autonomy to select available slots from a doctor’s calendar. This easy and efficient scheduling will lead to improved patient and doctor experience, offering them optimum flexibility and convenience.  

Secure Data Handling 

Ensure patient confidentiality with robust encryption and security protocols during your telehealth app development. Paying attention to data handling guarantees the safe storage and protection of sensitive medical information. The impact? You will be seen as a trusted and secure healthcare services provider.  

HIPAA-Compliant Communication 

Except for security, HIPAA compliance is a mark of high quality healthcare services. So, the vendor you choose must consider HIPAA compliance to guarantee rock-solid security for all your healthcare transactions. This will not only keep you in the regulatory good books but also slash errors, making your healthcare communication super reliable.  

Remote Monitoring 

Unlock non-stop health insights with remote monitoring magic. This feature will amplify your telehealth app development with proactiveness. How? The feature will work by allowing patients to securely transmit real-time health data to healthcare professionals. Hence, your app will turn into a 24/7 health buddy keeping your patients in the driver’s seat of their well-being journey! 

Prescription Management 

Streamline medication adherence with prescription management functionalities. Your app can take health maintenance to another level by sending medication reminders, tracking prescription refills, and providing patients with easy access to their prescription history. 

Virtual Waiting Room 

Think about incorporating a virtual waiting room during your telehealth app development. This nifty feature improves the patient experience by introducing a structured and organized setup for virtual visits. It’s designed to cut down on wait times, ensuring a seamless flow of appointments. Patients can now enter their virtual appointments with ease, enhancing the overall convenience and efficiency of your telehealth service. 

AI-Driven Symptom Checker 

Why not include a smart AI-driven symptom checker in your app? It’s like having a virtual health buddy to help patients figure out their health conditions independently. Integrating AI-based symptom checker during telehealth app development will also offer quick insights, so people can make smart choices about whether to seek medical advice. It’s all about putting the power of knowledge in users’ hands, making health decisions a little easier and more informed. 

Customizable Dashboards 

Give users the freedom to customize their dashboards! Whether it’s the patient or a doctor, this feature will let them tailor their interface. It will allow them prioritize things according to their convenience, making their whole experience unique and exclusive. Therefore, your app will become all about putting user in control and ensuring their telehealth journey is as personalized and user-friendly as possible. Some of the dashboard elements you can consider are given below- 

Telehealth App Development: Step by Step Process

The development phase might seem overwhelming for your business, but the key is selecting the right process and partnering with a software development company that aligns with your vision. This strategic choice not only eases the journey but ensures your app is tailored precisely to meet your business goals. That said, let’s look at the journey you have to go through when you finalize your app development project- 

Needs Assessment 

In this initial step, you’ll have to go through a chat with your vendor. This will help them grasp your specific needs. Here, you will have to answer questions like: 

• What specific requirements does your business have for the telehealth app development? 
• Can you outline the key features you envision for the telehealth app? 
• Who is your target audience for the telehealth app, and what are their unique needs? 
• What are the primary business goals you aim to achieve through the telehealth app? 
• Are there any specific challenges or pain points in your current healthcare processes that the app should address? 

Planning and Strategy 

Now, put pen to paper! Your vendor and strategists will sketch out a detailed project plan, complete with timelines and milestones. The main goal here should be to strategically mold the app to perfectly fit your business objectives. Think of it as laying a solid foundation for success in telehealth app development. 

Design and User Experience 

Get creative in this step! Sit with your design team and select design that not only looks good but feels right. Make them craft an intuitive and user-friendly design for both patients and healthcare providers is key. It’s a vital step as user experience and simple design will somewhat decide the interest of your target audience when they first open your app.  

Feature Prioritization 

What’s crucial for your business model? Pinpoint those core features. More importantly, ask for maximum customization options from your vendor. This prioritization flexibility plus customization will ensure top-notch security and build scalability right into the mix. Remember, this phase is all about picking the right ingredients for your telehealth app development recipe. 

Development and Iteration 

Time for action! Your selected software development vendor will now embrace agile development. Here, you have to make sure they keep the feedback loop wide open. Also, oversee that they refine features and stay nimble through regular iterations. Their iterative discipline will keep on improving your app. Some of the technologies you should be aware of during this step are given below- 

Testing and Quality Assurance 

Rigorous testing is your target in this step. It will hunt down bugs, fine-tune performance, and ensure that every user interaction is smooth as silk. Remember, quality assurance is the heartbeat of our telehealth app development process. 

Deployment 

Ready, set, go! Look for a silky-smooth deployment on the chosen platforms – iOS and Android. Post-launch, ensure your development experts keep a watchful eye on app performance, swooping in with necessary updates. It’s about making a grand entrance and maintaining that stellar performance. 

Training and Support 

Remember training and support should be ongoing. Any technical or operational questions? Keep your vendor a phone call away! Regular support will ensure your app meets changing industry standards and user needs. 

Why Choose Matellio for Telehealth App Development? 

With an impressive track record of building cutting-edge healthcare solutions, we bring a perfect blend of expertise, innovation, and commitment to the table. Matellio excels in crafting intuitive and secure telehealth solutions tailored to your needs. Our seasoned team navigates the complexities of healthcare technology, ensuring compliance and scalability. Not only this, we also prioritize user-centric design, real-time communication, and robust security, creating solutions that not only meets but exceeds expectations. 

So, are you ready to embark on a transformative journey? Fill out this form now, share your app development details, and let’s kickstart the evolution of your healthcare solutions together. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)