E-health is becoming a massive trend in software development and the coronavirus pandemic is now accelerating its rapid growth further. Moreover, constant innovation in the technology sector means we want new, widely accessible solutions. That also includes health as often state healthcare has numerous issues.
How much does it cost to create a professional e-health solution? What should be included in it? Why should this industry be worth your attention? Read on to find out!
State of telemedicine in 2021
To say COVID-19 changed the situation regarding remote healthcare is like saying nothing. It has had an enormous impact on everyone but it’s not like it has created the demand for telemedicine just now. The concept has been tested for years to be slowly introduced in facilities worldwide.
Research by McKinsey proved that in the last year, the need for remote healthcare solutions significantly increased. 76% of consumers claimed they wanted to use e-health products and services. The interest in the implementation of telemedicine in facilities grew by almost 60%. Also, approximately 20% of medicine-related activities can be digitalized. This shows the massive potential of e-health.
Trends that accelerate the e-health sector
What should be considered by aspiring telemed pioneers if they want to conquer the market? There are several things you should know about.
Machine learning is a chance to create even more advanced telemedicine solutions – for example, remote diagnostics, early cancer detection and preparing individual treatments. If you want to outrun the competition with your e-health business, you need to think visionary.
Another thing is efficiency and sustainability. More people want to lower their environmental impact. Doctors want to cure people as fast as it’s possible. Everyone wants to save money. In times of crisis, the latter is even more crucial.
If patients can stay at home and contact their doctor remotely, they don’t need to use cars or public transport, saving time. Moreover, according to a study conducted by Health Leaders: “Diverting patients from emergency departments with telemedicine can save more than $1,500 per visit.” Most cases can be solved outside emergency rooms, with audio or video consultation.
People look for telemed solutions that save their time and money, have less influence on the environment and are convenient at the same time.
How to create a digital product dedicated to telemedicine
When working with renowned e-health brands, it’s always about creating legally compliant software with professional and eye-catching design and features that patients and doctors require.
Here are a few things worth considering when creating a telemed startup or a new remote healthcare product.
How much does it cost to develop a telemedicine app?
Talking about the financial side of any software development in general is rather difficult. That’s because every client is different. It’s impossible to estimate a generic project and tell: “This is how much it will cost”. Too many factors influence the final price.
Building a product from scratch means you will pay more, but the price decreases if you have a prototype already. The technology you pick and platforms you want to be available on also matter. The same goes for the number of features and their complexity. Not to mention the legal standards like HIPAA and GDPR that your digital product has to meet. That means more security measures implemented into software, which requires a bigger budget.
The cost of telemedicine apps is a complex subject with many different variables to consider. But knowing more about them allows business owners to plan their budget and be prepared for changes in the project.
Design principles for e-health solutions
There are digital products that can go crazy with creative visuals. Telemedicine is not necessarily falling into that category. Of course, you should invite modern trends into your software design, but be careful.
Remote healthcare products and services have a broad target audience. This means they need to be quite universal. Interfaces with a lot of fireworks might be difficult to navigate for people with disabilities and older users.
It’s better to bet on classic shapes and colors associated with wellbeing. Functionalities should be easy to find and access. Hire a company that has a seasoned UX/UI design team. They will know what should be implemented and what is redundant.
Telemed challenges to watch out for
Although e-health is now claimed to be one of the most rapidly growing industries, you should know it has its challenges. If you keep them in mind, you will more likely succeed in telemedicine.
The industry is still expanding and new solutions are introduced continuously. That’s an opportunity for innovators, but it’s also a risk. A well-prepared strategy with a lot of testing (e.g., MVP) can prevent the product from being incompatible with users’ expectations.
COVID-19 gave remote healthcare momentum, but what will happen when it’s over? Very likely, it still will be a prominent niche. Business owners that understand their customers will thrive even post-pandemic. They just have to deliver high-quality service and customer support.
Some people still don’t believe that a video call can help when they are sick. Patients feel cared for when a doctor physically examines them. The main task for telemedicine providers is to offer a product or service that will be comprehensive and won’t position itself as a substitute for medical appointments but rather as an alternative and supplement for them.
Conclusion
There are a lot of nuances in the e-health sector, but it can be said without a doubt that it’s a niche worth investing in. Building digital solutions like web and mobile apps, websites and internal systems is a great way to support healthcare systems around the world. Multiple business owners created skyrocketing telemedicine companies.
Private startups and enterprises create more and more digital products dedicated to healthcare. Big insurance companies are not afraid to invest in them, as they see an opportunity to offer an attractive alternative to public health services. There’s definitely an enormous potential in this sector.
