As a consequence, it has become essential for hospitals and clinics to invest in application development, rather than simply viewing it as an added bonus. In order to be successful in today’s marketplace, it is necessary to take this step.
The introduction of medical treatment via mobile applications, or telemedicine, is transforming the healthcare sector. From reducing the risk of catastrophic events to providing routine patient care, the implications of this technology on the industry are far-reaching. At a time when the availability of doctors is decreasing and the elderly population is in need of medical assistance more than ever, healthcare apps are providing a lifeline to many. Such services are no longer seen as a luxury, many healthcare professionals now regard them as essential.
Medical practices and their patients may have specific needs that may not be covered by existing applications. When selecting an app, it is important to ensure that it meets a minimum set of requirements and that these have been checked. By carefully assessing healthcare applications, it is possible to ensure that the technology is being used in a way that is beneficial to patients.
Apps Can Help Doctors Provide Better Care to Patients
Healthcare practitioners have a seemingly infinite range of applications available to them. The uses of these medical applications and technologies are as diverse as the people who benefit from them. To illustrate the positive impact that these advancements are having, here are a few examples of how they are improving patient outcomes and even saving lives:
Therapeutic maintenance and comfort care:
The scarcity of funds is a significant hindrance to accessing healthcare services on a regular basis. People living in rural areas, as well as those in cities with hectic schedules, may not be able to take time out of their day to visit a medical facility, wait in the queue and then be seen by a doctor. Videoconferencing technology could be used for medical appointments. According to one research involving 1,200 individuals, 89% of planned video consultations were completed and 90% of patients reported being satisfied with the level of treatment they received.Reactions to emergencies:
In 2023, the Florida Panhandle experienced a mental health crisis amongst its young population in the aftermath of Hurricane Michael, a Category 5 hurricane. The devastating effects of the hurricane had left many children traumatised and without the necessary resources to seek proper help. In response, the Florida Division of Emergency Management established a network of telehealth portals across six counties for children to access competent medical care and advice.Triage and emergency care:
Visionable, a UK-based business, recognised the potential for video streaming to make a life-saving difference in the ambulance environment, by allowing medical personnel to link up with specialists in real time and get guidance on the correct triage and diagnosis for their patients. This dedication to providing the best possible care for those in need has resulted in an estimated 3,200 lives being saved due to the availability of the service.
Apps that are designed for healthcare professionals are revolutionizing the way medical care is delivered and making a real positive impact on the lives of patients across the country. For this technology to be successful, however, it is essential that appropriate standards are established and adhered to.
Methods for Standardizing and Validating Health-Related Apps
Given the burgeoning number of healthcare applications which are relatively novel, there is currently no recognized standard for assessing their effectiveness. This lack of consensus makes it difficult for healthcare practitioners to make informed decisions. In order to assist with this, we have put together a table of minimum acceptable criteria and validation methods to aid the decision-making process.
| Standards | Validation |
| Value: The value of a healthcare app lies in the improvements it can bring to a patient’s life. This could be in the form of an overall improvement in care, or more targeted treatments for specific conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, depression, and other medical conditions. By providing such services, healthcare apps can help to improve the wellbeing of individuals and promote better health outcomes. | Indications of clinical significance: It is sufficient to show that the application provides value to users in a healthcare setting by demonstrating measurable, clinically relevant improvements. For example, if a user regularly inputs blood sugar levels that are within a healthy range, this would prove the usefulness of the app as a diabetes monitor. |
| A straightforward interface: It is likely that the majority of people who use applications are of a senior age and lack the technical knowledge to operate them efficiently. If the user does not understand how to make use of the app, the quality of the product is rendered irrelevant. | Tests in the Early stages: Experts may be unable to provide an opinion on the app’s usability because of their knowledge of the features of the app, whereas beta users may be able to provide a more impartial assessment of the app’s user-friendliness and performance. |
| Function: It is essential that neither the application nor the consultations should experience any downtime, particularly for healthcare provider applications, which often make use of resource-intensive technologies such as live video streaming and augmented reality. To ensure a reliable and uninterrupted service, extra measures should be taken to ensure that the system remains stable and secure. | Tracing latencies: During and after development, beta testers provide latency statistics from a variety of settings and connection speeds. |
| Security: Organizations in the United States that process protected health information (PHI) must adhere to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) guidelines and ensure that access to the data is restricted to authorized personnel only. It is advisable for all entities to implement similar standards in order to ensure the highest levels of privacy and security for their customers. | Organizational framework for conducting application security tests (ASTO): This statement speaks to the need for an Application Security Testing as a Service (ASTaaS) approach in order to ensure the security of an application throughout the development process. ASTaaS involves both internal testing conducted by white-hat professionals and external penetration testing, both of which are essential in order to ensure the security of an application. |
When it comes to healthcare applications, there is a wide variety of options available, ranging from simple appointment reminders to more complex applications that use augmented reality to replicate a physical office visit. The specific needs of your practice will determine which option is best for you. However, it is essential to remember that your patients have a great deal of trust in you and the applications you recommend. To ensure that this trust is not misplaced, it is vital to ensure that all applications meet industry standards and regulations.
At We are proudly recruiting only the top 1% of Latin American IT professionals. We are here to ensure that your patients receive a secure and satisfactory experience. Please do not hesitate to contact us to explore how our services can enhance your ability to provide healthcare in any environment.
