This article takes a look at the best telemedicine app developers to keep an eye on in 2024. We’ll examine the key features that set these telehealth solutions apart, and give you tips on how to pick the right telemedicine software provider for your needs. From big names to up-and-comers, we’ll highlight seven companies that are changing healthcare with their state-of-the-art telemedicine app development work. If you’re a healthcare provider wanting to grow your digital services or a tech buff interested in the newest telehealth trends, this guide will give you useful info on the companies leading the way in this fast-moving field.

Top Telemedicine Software Features to Look For

When selecting a telemedicine platform, several key features are essential for effective healthcare delivery. Video conferencing stands out as a crucial component, enabling real-time interactions between patients and providers. This feature allows for visual cues and in-person-like consultations, enhancing communication effectiveness.

EHR integration is another vital feature, streamlining patient data management and improving care coordination. By integrating with Electronic Health Records, telemedicine platforms ensure seamless access to patient information, enhancing diagnostic accuracy and treatment planning.

Remote patient monitoring (RPM) has become increasingly important, especially for managing chronic conditions. RPM enables continuous data collection on patient health status, allowing for timely interventions and improved patient outcomes.

Secure messaging within the platform facilitates efficient communication between patients and providers. This feature has shown positive effects on chronic disease management and patient satisfaction.

Lastly, appointment scheduling functionality is crucial for managing patient visits effectively. This feature streamlines the process of booking, rescheduling, and managing both virtual and in-person appointments.

Choosing the Right Telemedicine Software Provider

Selecting the appropriate telemedicine software provider is crucial for successful implementation and scalability. When evaluating potential providers, consider several key factors to ensure the best fit for your healthcare organization.

• Assessing Your Needs

Begin by identifying your specific requirements. Look for a cross-compatible, hardware- and platform-agnostic telehealth platform that functions on various devices, from computers to mobile phones. This flexibility ensures accessibility for both providers and patients.

• Evaluating Provider Expertise

Experience matters when choosing a telemedicine provider. Seek out companies with a proven track record in the healthcare industry. A provider with at least 10 years of experience in your field of interest is generally a good indicator of expertise.

• Considering Scalability

Opt for a platform that can grow with your organization. A scalable solution adapts to changing conditions and expands as your needs evolve. This ensures long-term viability and prevents the need for frequent system changes.

• Checking Compliance and Security

Ensure the platform is HIPAA compliant and uses end-to-end encryption to protect patient data. Verify that the provider offers Business Associate Agreements (BAAs) to maintain legal compliance and safeguard patient privacy.

• Reviewing Customer Support

Choose a provider that offers comprehensive support, including 24/7 assistance, one-on-one training sessions, and responsive customer service. This ensures smooth implementation and ongoing operation of your telemedicine system.

Itexus

Itexus offers a HIPAA-compliant white-label telemedicine platform for web and mobile use. This end-to-end telehealth ecosystem allows healthcare providers to manage all aspects of their business, from improving care decisions to automating manual operations. The company-wide setup takes just up to three weeks, and customization options are available to ensure a personalized patient experience.

Features

For patients, the platform includes an AI-based matching system, appointment booking, call scheduling, in-app payments, audio & video calls, notifications, and an intuitive patient profile. Doctors benefit from features such as accepting or rejecting bookings, managing appointment status, calendar integration, and payments management.

Pricing

While specific pricing details are not provided, Itexus emphasizes cost-effectiveness in their telemedicine app development services. They offer customizable solutions tailored to the unique needs of healthcare providers, ensuring that clients only pay for the features they need.

Benefits

Healthcare providers using Itexus can enjoy convenient remote practice, increased revenue, and access to a broader patient base. The platform improves patient engagement through remote monitoring, reduces no-shows, and enhances practice efficiency. It also allows for refined patient satisfaction through quick feedback and improved healthcare quality.

Teladoc Health

Teladoc Health stands out as a leading telehealth platform, offering virtual consultations with healthcare professionals via phone, video, or online chat. In the third quarter of 2023, Teladoc saw an 8% increase in revenue, reaching USD 660.00 million. This growth was driven by strong performance in chronic condition management and a growing user base of 90 million.

Features

Teladoc provides a range of services, including primary care, mental healthcare, and specialist consultations. The platform offers 24/7 availability, allowing patients to connect with healthcare professionals anytime. Users can access medical advice, receive diagnoses, and get prescriptions without leaving home.

Pricing

Teladoc’s pricing varies based on the type of care and health plan design. General Medical visits can be as low as USD 0.00 with insurance, while without insurance, they cost USD 89.00 per visit. For specific pricing on services like Dermatology, Mental Health, or Nutrition visits, users need to set up an account.

Benefits

Teladoc offers convenience, cost savings, and improved access to healthcare. It reduces the need for in-person visits, saving time and money on transportation and missed work. The platform also helps healthcare organizations expand their reach and improve patient care access. For employers and insurance companies, Teladoc can lead to reduced healthcare costs and improved employee productivity.

DataArt

DataArt is a global software development company specializing in telemedicine solutions. With 25 years of experience and 6000+ consultants and engineers across 25 offices worldwide, DataArt has established itself as a trusted partner in the healthcare technology sector.

Features

DataArt offers a range of telemedicine services, including:

• Telehealth modules and remote patient monitoring systems
• Electronic health records (EHR)
• Mental health and wellness solutions
• Mobile health applications
• Virtual clinical trials solutions

Their Telehealth AI Assistant platform enhances physician productivity by focusing on crucial information and automating data collection.

Pricing

While specific pricing details are not provided, DataArt emphasizes value-driven solutions. They prioritize client success over profit maximization, offering flexible delivery models tailored to each client’s needs.

Benefits

Clients benefit from DataArt’s:

• Technical expertise and scalable structure
• Stable teams with low turnover
• Platform and technology-agnostic approach
• Ability to quickly scale project teams
• Project accelerators for faster development

DataArt’s solutions aim to accelerate time-to-value, minimize delivery costs and risks, and maximize investment impact.

CareCloud

CareCloud offers a comprehensive telehealth platform designed to transform healthcare practices. Their flagship product, CareCloud LIVE, provides a secure and user-friendly solution for telemedicine urgent care.

Features

CareCloud LIVE includes video visits, EHR integration, and analytics tools. The platform offers HIPAA-compliant services, automated notifications, and easy appointment scheduling. It also features a patient-centric system with customizable views and health maintenance alerts.

Pricing

While specific pricing details are not provided, CareCloud offers a free demo for interested healthcare providers.

Benefits

CareCloud enables practices to expand their reach, offering care beyond physical boundaries. It streamlines workflows, reduces administrative burdens, and allows multiple users to document simultaneously. The platform also supports tablet use, enhancing patient interactions.

Mantra Health

Mantra Health established in 2018, is a company that provides mental health services to college students through telehealth. It works with colleges and universities to offer therapy and psychiatric care tailored for young adults.

Features

Mantra Health has an influence on mental health care through its therapy, psychiatry, and medication management services. The platform lets users send messages anytime, and therapists try to reply within a day during the work week. First-time appointments take an hour, while follow-ups last 30 to 45 minutes. Mantra Health prides itself on its diverse group of therapists, with many who are LGBTQ+ or BIPOC.

Pricing

Students with sponsorships get their first sessions covered by their school. People who pay out of pocket spend $125.00 for their first therapy visit and $90.00 for later ones. Seeing a psychiatrist costs $180.00 for the first appointment and $125.00 for follow-ups. Mantra Health takes insurance from certain providers for patients who pay themselves.

Benefits

Mantra Health cuts down waiting periods for mental health care at colleges from as long as a full term to seven days. The system delivers care that considers cultural factors and has received good feedback from those who use it, with 96% giving it a rating of good, very good, or excellent. It offers easy-to-access high-quality mental health options for school grounds tackling the higher chance of mental health problems among students during the outbreak.

MeMD

MeMD provides complete telehealth options for companies and people giving access to licensed healthcare providers around the clock, all year. Their system allows virtual visits for common health problems and mental health issues.

MeMD Features

MeMD’s services cover medical consultations mental health counseling, and talk therapy. The platform offers solutions you can tailor with flexible pricing choices and easy setup. MeMD’s providers have board certification and can diagnose, treat, and prescribe drugs for various conditions.

MeMD Pricing

MeMD charges nothing for urgent care visits. Adult talk therapy sessions cost $75 each. The company gives organizations several pricing choices based on PEPM, PMPM, or subsidies.

MeMD Benefits

MeMD cuts healthcare expenses, reduces missed work days, and boosts output. The platform sees high usage, with 12.5% of members using it in the first quarter. MeMD’s services make healthcare more accessible to people in rural and underserved areas.

Athenahealth

Athenahealth provides athenaOne, an all-in-one solution that boosts clinical effectiveness, patient experience, and financial performance. This complete platform has electronic health records (EHR), revenue cycle management, and patient engagement tools.

Athenahealth Features

The athenaOne EHR makes documentation easier with smart workflows and real-time data insights. It offers features such as pre-encounter prep and links to Carequality and CommonWell to help doctors work together better. The athenaOne app lets providers work from anywhere, handle their inboxes, and hold video calls with up to four team members.

Athenahealth Pricing

Athenahealth offers tailored pricing plans that fit each organization’s specific requirements and intricacies. The fee represents a portion of collections, which ensures it aligns with the organization’s financial results.

Athenahealth Benefits

Athenahealth’s platform has a positive impact on clinical workflows, boosts financial outcomes, and enhances patient care. It provides tools for easy data sharing and integration into clinical processes. The company gives expert backend support and uses automation to boost administrative productivity.

Conclusion

The quick growth of telemedicine app creation has an influence on how healthcare is delivered offering new ways to link patients with doctors from afar. From big names like Teladoc Health to newer companies such as Mantra Health, these firms are changing healthcare’s future with advanced telehealth systems. The top seven companies we’ll look at show different features, costs, and perks meeting various healthcare wants and needs.

As telehealth becomes more popular, picking the right telemedicine software provider is key for smooth integration and growth. Healthcare organizations need to think about their specific needs, how much the provider knows, and rules they have to follow. This helps them make smart choices when putting telemedicine solutions into action. New developments in this area will make patient care better, increase access, and cause a revolution in healthcare in the years to come.

FAQs

1. Who is the leading telemedicine company? According to Ampliz’s report, Teladoc Health stands out as the biggest telemedicine company. This ranking comes from key indicators like total revenue and number of employees.
2. What does next-generation telemedicine entail? Next-generation telemedicine uses cutting-edge tools and technologies to offer personalized medicine. It relies on smartphones and internet-based communication to manage health from afar. This approach includes video assessments keeping an eye on patients , and custom-made care tools with event tracking.
3. What is the projected growth for the telehealth market? The global telehealth market had a value of USD 83.50 billion in 2022. Experts predict it to grow at a rate of 24% each year from 2023 to 2030. High costs of in-person care drive this growth making telehealth a big opportunity.
4. Is telemedicine maintaining its popularity? Telemedicine in the United States has boomed since COVID-19 started. It will stay a key part of medical care. Many patients and healthcare providers like it, though not all patient groups can access it.

The post Top Telehealth and Telemedicine Software Development Companies first appeared on Itexus.

“Many thanks, buddy! Now I see where the weak spots are in our processes and business as a whole. I see the Java team 2 is a bit late, but with the XYZ Inc. project ahead by about a week.” That’s how George Epshtain, CEO of Itexus LLC, wraps up a chat with his AI Assistant.

No long sheets or reports—just a direct Q&A, like talking to a human assistant. Sorry, it can’t make you a coffee!

Before implementing the AI-Assistant, things were different. If not every morning, then every other day, George would spend hours analyzing reports and data on project execution. It wasn’t too boring, but it did take a lot of time—at least 8 hours a week. Sound familiar?

Every top manager faces the necessity of spending hours analyzing data. But now you’ve got your own Genie from Aladdin’s lamp, handling most of your management tasks. 

Too good to be true?

Itexus LLC., a software development company, started working with AI four years ago, back when mass AI adoption was just beginning. Visionaries like George could see all the potential AI had, especially in FinTech. Yet somehow, they “never got around to solving their internal issues.”

Trouble was, the growth in orders far outpaced the expansion of the engineering staff. They needed to increase efficiency by optimizing processes and improving productivity. Top management also struggled to control task execution, ensure quality, and analyze results.

And so In January 2024, we had a breakthrough. We decided to try new approaches. Test them on our own processes. “No sooner said than done!” That’s how Itexus LLC.’s AI Assistant was born.

Challenge:

The main challenges:

• Top management spent too much time on routine tasks, preventing them
  from focusing more on strategic initiatives and business development.
• There was also pressure to enhance productivity and reduce development costs to remain competitive.
• Specific challenges in mobile app development processes required
  innovative solutions.

In essence, it was necessary to enhance staff productivity, reduce development
costs, and optimize mobile app development processes using cutting-edge artificial intelligence techniques at Itexus LLC., a company with over 150 members, including programming engineers, marketing staff, and administration.

AI Assistant Implementation: 

Overview of the AI-Assistant’s Capabilities: How It Solves Issues

Based on the tasks at hand, and then more universally, the following task functionality was developed:

• Assesses the quality of task setting. AI-Assistant automatically checks each task entered into the task manager for completeness and quality, and provides recommendations for its improvement. The AI-Assistant also analyzes systems for task similarity.
• Predicts employee productivity. Able to estimate the time of task completion, analyzes employee efficiency, identifies employee weaknesses for management influence and additional training.
• Monitors the execution of tasks and their quality. 24/7 tracks the deadlines for each task, evaluates quality, performs an auto-review of the code, and also records the number of errors by type. Collects the status of tasks from each employee and generates a report for the manager.
• Monitors compliance with standards. Monitors compliance with standards for each process down to the last decimal point and, if necessary, takes steps to return the process to compliance.
• Predicts and prevents problems. Analyzes data for each project and subtask to predict deadline misses and budget overruns. Escalates issues to management when necessary.
• Analyzes team interactions and communications. Monitors corporate communications to assess team interactions, identifying bottlenecks and providing recommendations for improvement. 

Stages of implementation:

Overall, the company followed a traditional implementation strategy. 

1. Analysis of existing project management procedures
2. Data quality assessment
3. Implementation and configuration of the system

Steps taken to integrate the AI Assistant into existing workflows.

The Itexus team integrated corporate platforms like Jira, Confluence, GitHub, Slack, etc. for automatic monitoring of all activities.

Key indicators are tracked: The AI Assistant provides dashboards with assessments and forecasts, enabling quick responses to changes.

Key stakeholders involved in the implementation.

In general, Itexus LLC. stakeholders are the entire top management as well as team leads. In any other company, it is approximately the same. Based on the experience of Itexus LLC., we can say that the average implementation and adaptation period is 2 months.

Impact and Results

Overall, the results at Itexus LLC (150+ employees) surpassed expectations. The AI Assistant spots hidden problems buried in numbers and reports. It also offers solutions.

Routine Task Reduction:

By automating routine tasks previously managed by managers, the AI Assistant effectively reduced the workload on managers by 80%. It freed up time for strategic planning and decisions. Project management got smoother. Fewer delays. Improved team productivity.

Interacting with AI-Assistant. The manager can ask questions in a free form and receive quick answers. The assistant also informs about tasks that require attention.

Recording activities. The AI-Assistant records all its actions and key employee activities, ensuring complete transparency.

Implementation of AI-Assistant result to:

• Removes 80% of routine tasks on control and management from the manager. 
• Identifies and shows problems that are usually hidden under many numbers and reports, and also offers options for solving them. 
• Increase productivity by 24%. 
• Reduce development costs by 19%.

Challenges Faced During Implementation

During the implementation of AI-Assistant, two main challenges were identified: initial resistance and technical issues.

Initial Resistance. Resistance from employees or managers to adopt AI.

Not at all surprising that the integration of artificial intelligence into work processes often faces resistance from employees and managers. This resistance can be caused by several factors, including:

• Fear of job loss: Some employees feared that automating their routine tasks would lead to job cuts or diminish their value to the company.
• Distrust of technology: Managers may have been skeptical of AI’s capabilities, doubting its reliability and effectiveness compared to traditional management methods.
• Habituation to old processes: For many employees, the old work processes were familiar and comfortable. Switching to new methods that required the use of AI made them uncomfortable and resistant.

How to overcome resistance

The following steps were taken to successfully overcome resistance to the implementation of AI-Assistant at Itexus LLC:

Training and awareness-raising

• Action: The company organized training sessions and workshops for employees and managers to explain how AI-Assistant works, what tasks it performs, and what benefits it will bring to each of them.
• Outcome: This helped reduce the fear of the unknown and showed that AI-Assistant would not replace employees but would instead make their work easier by allowing them to focus on more meaningful tasks.

Support and adaptation

• Measure: Support groups were set up where employees could go with questions or concerns related to the use of AI. There was also a smooth transition with a step-by-step introduction of AI-Assistant into workflows so that employees had time to get used to it.
• Result: This allowed employees to gradually adapt to the innovation, reducing stress levels and increasing confidence.

Demonstration of successful examples

• Measure: The company presented case studies where the implementation of AI-Assistant has already led to positive results, such as reduced routine tasks and increased productivity.
• Outcome: Successful case studies demonstrated in practice that AI-Assistant does deliver value, which increased trust in the technology and reduced resistance.

Recognition and Awards

• Measure: The company implemented a system to recognize and reward employees who successfully adopted new technologies and actively used the AI-Assistant in their work.
• Result: This encouraged other employees to follow suit as they saw their efforts appreciated and rewarded. 

Due to these measures, Itexus LLC significantly reduced employee and manager resistance to AI implementation, enabling the AI Assistant to be effectively integrated into workflows and achieve planned goals.

Technical Challenges: Obstacles encountered during implementation

A number of technical difficulties were identified during the implementation of AI-Assistant. They somewhat slowed down the implementation process. However, the positive factor is that, knowing them, we were able to overcome them effectively in all subsequent projects. Let me voice the main ones:

Issue: Integration with systems. You might be curious about how our systems initially struggled to “make friends” with AI. The integration wasn’t smooth, and changes were needed to get everything working together.

Solution: We updated our IT infrastructure and developed new interfaces. Everything became compatible, and the implementation process sped up.

Issue: Data Quality. Should consider the importance of data quality. We had a lot of data, but it was scattered and not always accurate. AI needed clean, complete information to function effectively.

Solution: We cleaned the data and improved its quality. Now, AI learns better and provides accurate recommendations.

Issue: Performance. AI initially put a lot of strain on our servers, leading to scalability issues, especially during peak times.

Solution: We switched to cloud technologies and implemented optimizations. Now, the system works stably and scales easily.

Results. There were challenges, but we overcame them. Experience the benefits of AI that now works efficiently and helps us move forward. If you’re curious about how this could work for your business, get in touch with us for more details.

Lessons Learned

When implementing AI-Assistant at Itexus LLC, we gained a lot of useful insights. These insights can be useful for other companies thinking about implementing AI-Assistant.

Key Findings:

Planning and preparation: Thorough preparation and planning is key to a successful implementation. It is important to evaluate current systems and prepare them for integration with new technologies.

– Data quality: High quality data is the foundation of successful AI. Without clean and complete data, results may not be accurate.

– Employee support and training: Active employee support and training at all stages is important. This reduces resistance and speeds up adaptation to new technologies.

These lessons can be applied to similar projects to minimize risks and improve implementation efficiency.

Recommendations for other companies:

For other companies planning to implement an AI assistant, we recommend:

– Invest in IT infrastructure: Make sure your infrastructure is ready for AI integration. Update systems and develop interfaces to ease implementation.

– Focus on data quality: Invest in improving data quality so that AI can perform at its best and produce accurate results.

– Train and support employees: Provide training and support at all levels of the organization. This will help avoid resistance and make the implementation process smoother and faster.

By following these tips, you will be able to successfully implement an AI assistant and maximize its benefits.

“Embracing AI is no longer just an option—it’s a necessity for companies looking to thrive in today’s competitive landscape. I encourage you to take that step forward and integrate AI into your business processes. If you’re ready to explore the possibilities, our team is here to offer the expertise and tools you need to succeed. Reach out to us for assistance and let us help you unlock the full potential of AI with our cutting-edge solutions and AI-Assistants.“— George Epshtain, CEO Itexus LLC

The post How to Implement AI in Business: Up Productivity & Reduce Costs first appeared on Itexus.

This article delves into their specialties, major selling points, and why partnering with them can be optimal for businesses seeking to maximize efficiency and innovation in their software projects. Moreover, before proceeding, it is essential to know the criteria behind choosing an offshore software development solution. This will help you select the best option for an offshore software development firm that fits your budget.

Outsourcing software development to offshore development firms offers numerous advantages, including access to skilled workers, diverse technical competencies, and faster project completion times. Furthermore, this strategic move allows companies to leverage global talent and resources, often resulting in cost savings and enhanced productivity. Therefore, recognizing the significance of these benefits, this article aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the top ten offshore software development companies.

Criteria for Selection:

When you review the various things involved in selecting the most suitable offshore software development companies, you will be happy to know that you must be well aware of the company’s features before you choose it for services. Therefore, you need to know all the features of an offshore software development company. Furthermore, to ensure a fair and informative assessment, the following criteria were used to select the top offshore software development companies.

Moreover, technical competence encompasses the technical personnel’s degree of proficiency and understanding of different programming languages, frameworks, and platforms. Furthermore, customer satisfaction is related to the actual feedback received about the completion of projects and market awareness. Therefore, some focus is placed on the general worth and reputation, years of experience, and general perception of the company’s competency and management capability. It looks at the efficiency of management practices so that you can find the most reliable and suitable offshore software development company to boost your business.

Top Offshore Software Development Companies:

Itexus

Of the many software development companies operating offshore, Itexus is one of the best-known and reputed market leaders. Building a reputation for delivering effective solutions, Itexus has become a go-to provider of innovative solutions using IT for company improvement.

Key Offerings:

• Custom Software Development: Specialized software products and services to match a specific need of a client.
• Fintech Solutions: Mobile applications for banking, trading platforms, and blockchain.
• AI and Machine Learning: Smart ideas to improve a company’s functions and organizational structure.
• Client Success Stories: Numerous completed projects implemented in different spheres of life.
• Unique Selling Points: High technical knowledge, sound project management, and focus on the client.

TCS (Tata Consultancy Services)

Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) is an Information Technology consulting company and an IT services, business solutions, and outsourcing firm. Based in India and operating in more than 46 countries, TCS established itself as a reliable supplier of IT outsourcing and digital solutions.

Key Offerings and Strengths:

• IT Services and Consulting: Application development services, integration of systems services, and IT infrastructure management services.
• Digital Transformation: Cloud computing, big data, and IoT.
• Industry-Specific Solutions: Banking and finance, healthcare, retail, and manufacturing.
• Global Delivery Model: Offers availability, convenience, and continuous services, allowing it to operate at peak efficiency.

Infosys

Infosys is a well-known IT and outsourcing solutions provider in the global market. Emphasizing digitalization strategy, Infosys assists companies in their digitalization process and further sustainable development.

Key Offerings and Strengths:

• Digital Services: SaaS/PaaS, artificial intelligence, and IT security.
• Consulting and Integration: Legal specialists and smooth integration of systems.
• Engineering Services: Advanced product design and development.
• Global Reach and Expertise: Presence in over 50 countries, adopting global best practices.

Cognizant

Cognizant is one of the largest professional service companies in the IT industry. It offers information technology services, consulting, and business process outsourcing. This firm is famous for its digital platform service and assists various companies in transforming their operations and technologies.

Key Offerings and Strengths:

• Digital Business and Technology Solutions: SaaS, artificial intelligence, and big data analytics.
• Consulting and Outsourcing: Certified consultants and full-service outsourcing services.
• Industry Expertise: Specialization in healthcare, banking, and retail sectors.
• Innovation and Agility: Focus on innovation and flexibility in response to the market environment.

Wipro

Wipro is an international IT solutions and services provider specializing in Information Technology Consulting and Business Process Outsourcing. It offers the most extensive range of services and implements them using deep industry knowledge.

Key Offerings and Strengths:

• IT Services and Consulting: Program installation, upkeep, and support of application systems.
• Digital Transformation: Technologies such as artificial intelligence, cloud, and IoT.
• Industry-Specific Solutions: Healthcare, pharmaceuticals, banking, finance, retail, and manufacturing.
• Innovation and Sustainability: Focus on scientific and technological advances and environmental care.

Capgemini

Capgemini is a global company that operates in consulting, technology services, and digital transformation. Serving clients in more than 40 countries, Capgemini helps them remain relevant through technology implementation.

Key Offerings and Strengths:

• Consulting Services: Business technology services, management of businesses, and providing advice and solutions for business procedures and plans.
• Technology Services: System development, IT infrastructure service, and system integration.
• Digital Transformation: Artificial intelligence, cloud services, and cybersecurity solutions.
• Industry Expertise: Banking, insurance, manufacturing, and retail.

Accenture

Accenture is a professional services firm ranked among the largest global players in digital, cloud, and security. By integrating deep experience, industry skills, and knowledge, Accenture brings change to clients’ businesses.

Key Offerings and Strengths:

• Consulting and Strategy: Business strategy, technology consulting, and operations.
• Interactive and Technology: Custom application software design and development, user interface design, and IT networks.
• Digital Transformation: Artificial intelligence, cloud, and blockchain services.
• Industry Expertise: Healthcare, finance, communications, and media.

EPAM Systems

EPAM Systems is one of the world’s premier digital platform engineering and software solutions companies. Recognized for its engineering-focused approach, EPAM helps address clients’ critical business issues with effective solutions.

Key Offerings and Strengths:

• Software Engineering: Custom software development, product design, and platform engineering.
• Consulting Services: IT services, business change, and digital advisory.
• Digital Transformation: Artificial intelligence, cloud, data services, and analytics.
• Industry Expertise: Banking, finance, medical, pharmaceuticals, consumer retail, and communication services.

Luxoft

Luxoft Holdings, Inc. is an international firm in digital strategy and software engineering that offers specific services in technology that transform businesses. Luxoft’s approach provides clients with the tools to remain competitive in the constantly advancing digital world.

Key Offerings and Strengths:

• Digital Strategy and Consulting: IT strategy, business change, and digital advisory.
• Software Engineering: Software development services, application integration, and platform building.
• Digital Transformation: AI, IoT, and cloud computing.
• Industry Expertise: Finance, banking, technology, automotive, healthcare, and telecommunications.

SoftServe

SoftServe is a top software consulting company that aims to offer digital services and products. SoftServe adapts to its clients’ requirements and enables an organization’s digital initiatives.

Key Offerings and Strengths:

• Digital Consulting: IT, digital initiatives, and management advisory services.
• Software Development: Custom software development, UX/UI design, and custom platform engineering.
• Cloud and DevOps: Cloud computing, DevOps services, and analytics.
• Industry Expertise: Healthcare, financial services/insurance, retail, and technology industries.

FAQ:

What is the Offshore Development Process?

The offshore development process typically involves several stages:

1. Requirement Analysis: Understanding the task and the client’s needs.
2. Planning: Establishing a project plan and schedule of activities.
3. Development: Creating the code, adding features, and developing the software.
4. Testing: Ensuring the software is free from defects and meets quality standards.
5. Deployment: Introducing the software into the live environment.
6. Maintenance: Providing feedback and further support as required.

What criteria should I use when selecting an offshore software development company?

Consider the following factors when choosing an offshore software development company:

1. Technical Expertise: Ensure the company has expertise in using existing technologies.
2. Client Reviews: Look for favorable endorsements and special reports.
3. Project Management: Assess the company’s project management performance and communication skills.
4. Cost-Effectiveness: Compare pricing models to ensure good value for money.
5. Cultural Fit: Check if the company is familiar with your business and work culture and has good communication skills.

What are the benefits of Offshore Software Development Companies?

The benefits of outsourcing to offshore software development companies include:

• Cost Savings: Reducing labor and general expenses.
• Access to Global Talent: Utilizing professional and specialized talents from the international market.
• Focus on Core Activities: Overcoming staff shortages to support business goals.
• Scalability: Easily expanding or reducing human resources depending on the project.
• Faster Time-to-Market: Driving project cycles and getting products to market faster.

Conclusion:

When you review the above discussion, you will find complete details about the best offshore software development companies. Furthermore, the discussion provides a variety of information you need to be aware of. Therefore, companies must seek to improve their technological infrastructure, attain specific objectives, and partner with the best offshore software development firms. The companies indicated in this article offer diverse services and expertise needed for outsourcing. Properly selecting a partner will help businesses apply advanced technologies, achieve cost-effectiveness, and embrace new developments. It is essential to go through each part of the above discussion to understand the main objectives behind offshore software development companies and support you as a customer.

The post Best Offshore Software Development Companies first appeared on Itexus.

This article explores the development of mhealth apps and the benefits they provide to patient care, operational efficiency, and the healthcare ecosystem as a whole. Whether you’re already considering building a mobile health app or just starting to explore the topic, this article provides valuable insights for mhealth app development. Keep reading to explore the various types of mhealth apps and their use cases, learn how to create a mhealth app from scratch, discover the key features it should include, and explore the latest trends in this field.

Mhealth apps market overview

According to Grand View Research, the global mhealth apps market was valued at USD 43.5 billion in 2022 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 11.6% from 2023 to 2030. The market is driven by the following factors:

• growing adoption of fitness and medical apps for collecting and tracking health-related data using smartphones,
• the increasing penetration of the internet and smartphones,
• and the growing awareness of the importance of maintaining physical health and lifestyle.

The number of health applications available on app stores has exceeded 350,000, with users showing interest in managing chronic diseases and healthcare professionals recommending the use of mobile apps for better patient care. OrthoLive stated that 93% of healthcare professionals believed that mobile health applications can improve patients’ health.

However, not everything is as smooth as it may seem. Among the main challenges in the mhealth industry experts highlight concerns regarding data security and privacy. Issues such as unauthorized access to sensitive information, data breaches, and the lack of regulatory approval for mhealth apps may impede market expansion. To address these concerns, healthcare organizations collaborate and technology companies are looking for a solution that will enable secure and convenient mobile patient care while eliminating potential risks.

Mhealth apps: types, use cases, and trends

The term “mhealth app” includes a wide range of applications that cater to the needs of healthcare professionals and patients alike. These solutions have been revolutionizing healthcare delivery for a few years now, making it easier to access, more efficient, and focused on the patient. In the following sections, we will delve into two main types of mhealth apps: professional solutions and apps specifically designed for patients.

Type #1: Professional solutions

These apps are designed to assist and enhance the abilities of healthcare providers. Professional solutions include a variety of tools and resources specifically designed for clinicians, nurses, pharmacists, administrators, and other healthcare professionals. They improve communication, facilitate better decision-making, and result in more streamlined and impactful patient care.

Key features:

• Electronic Health Record (EHR) integration
• Secure messaging and communication
• Telemedicine capabilities for remote consultations
• Clinical decision support systems
• Medication management and prescription tools

Type #2: Applications for patients

Patient-focused mhealth apps empower patients to effectively manage their health. These user-friendly platforms cater to various health-related needs by providing personalized health insights, medication reminders, symptom tracking, and direct access to medical records. Additionally, they facilitate communication between patients and healthcare providers, promoting a collaborative and informed approach to care.

Key features of applications for patients:

• Personalized health and wellness tracking
• Medication reminders and adherence monitoring
• Symptom tracking and health journaling
• Access to medical records and test results
• Appointment scheduling and telehealth options

Mhealth apps use cases

Let’s explore some key areas where mhealth apps are making a significant impact.

1. Telemedicine

Telemedicine had been gaining popularity gradually, but it was during the pandemic that mhealth solutions became irreplaceable. Now, mhealth app solutions are widely used to enable patients to schedule appointments and connect with doctors through video or audio calls, improving access to care regardless of geographical limitations.

2. Health information exchange

Mhealth apps are extremely handy when it comes to patient data storage and exchange. For example, the EHR (Electronic Health Record) feature allows for accessing and updating patient records on the go, making patient data management more accurate and efficient. Mhealth apps also facilitate healthcare providers in easily and securely sharing patient information. This ensures that all individuals involved in a patient’s care are well-informed, leading to improved coordination of care.

3. Diagnosing

Mhealth app solutions can assist healthcare providers in making accurate diagnoses by incorporating diagnostic tools and algorithms. This is especially useful for preliminary assessments and decision support.

4. E-prescribing

Mhealth mobile apps simplify the prescription process by allowing healthcare providers to generate electronic prescriptions directly in the system. This not only saves time for care providers and patients but also reduces errors during checkout.

5. Medical billing

Mobile solutions facilitate the medical billing process, allowing healthcare providers to manage patient billing, insurance claims, and revenue cycles efficiently.

Current trends in mobile health apps

The field of mobile health apps is always changing, influenced by new technology and the changing expectations of patients. Let’s explore some recent trends that highlight how technology is shaping modern healthcare.

Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM)

RPM apps are becoming more popular. They let healthcare providers keep track of patients’ vital signs, chronic conditions, and recovery progress from a distance. These apps improve patient care and lower the number of times patients have to go back to the hospital.

Wearable health devices integration

Mobile health apps are becoming more compatible with wearables such as smartwatches and fitness trackers. This allows for seamless data synchronization, enabling comprehensive health and wellness tracking.

Gamification of health and wellness

Apps are integrating gamification elements to engage users in their health and wellness journeys. This makes it enjoyable and rewarding to achieve health goals.

AI-enhanced diagnostics

Mobile health apps are using AI to improve diagnostics. Some apps can analyze medical images such as X-rays and MRI scans.

Examples of successful mhealth apps

The healthcare app industry is thriving with innovative solutions that have significantly improved patient care, increased efficiency, and enhanced the overall approach to healthcare. Here are three examples of healthcare apps that have been gaining attention recently.

1. Calm

Calm is a popular meditation and mindfulness app that focuses on promoting mental well-being and reducing stress. While it may not be considered a conventional medical app, Calm plays a crucial role in the larger healthcare ecosystem. It provides a wide range of guided meditation sessions, soothing sleep stories, and relaxation exercises, providing users with effective tools to cope with stress and anxiety and enhance their overall well-being. With more than 100 million downloads, Calm has become a top player in the mhealth field, showing that mental health importance is increasingly recognized.

2. Doximity

Doximity is a professional medical network and healthcare communication platform. It connects over 1.8 million healthcare professionals, enabling them to collaborate, communicate securely, and access important medical resources. Doximity simplifies communication among healthcare providers, makes referrals easier, and provides secure telehealth capabilities. The platform has made significant progress in improving healthcare collaboration and has become a helpful tool for medical professionals seeking secure professional connections and safe options for data sharing.

3. Zocdoc

Zocdoc makes it easy to find and book appointments with healthcare providers. It enables users to quickly search for doctors based on their specialty, location, accepted insurance, and availability. The app also provides access to patient reviews. Zocdoc’s success stems from its ability to solve a common healthcare challenge – getting timely care. With partnerships with thousands of healthcare providers, Zocdoc streamlines the entire healthcare process, saving patients time and reducing stress.

How to develop an mhealth app?

Custom mhealth app development is an exciting journey that involves several steps. Depending on the complexity and your goals, it can be a bit challenging at times. But don’t worry – below, you’ll find a friendly roadmap that will guide you through the mhealth app development process.

• Shape an idea. It all starts with an idea. Ask yourself, “What healthcare challenge can we tackle with a mobile app?”. Whether it’s enhancing patient engagement, simplifying administrative tasks, or facilitating access to medical information, your idea should address a real healthcare need. Let your creativity flow and draw inspiration from everyday healthcare encounters.
• Conduct market research and gather customer feedback. It is important to conduct thorough market research in order to gain a deep understanding of the competition, user preferences, and industry trends. Engaging with potential users, healthcare providers, and stakeholders will provide invaluable insights. It is also crucial to collect feedback in order to refine your concept and ensure that it resonates with your target audience. Remember, the input from others can greatly contribute to the viability of your idea.
• Validate your hypotheses. Before diving into development, it’s crucial to validate your business ideas. Give your concept a test run on a smaller scale to determine its feasibility. This step will not only help you identify any potential obstacles but also provide valuable insights into the viability of your app.
• Build an MVP. Start with a small step and create a Minimum Viable Product (MVP). It’s important to include only the essential features of your app without any unnecessary extras. This simplified version will allow you to release your app to users faster, gather their valuable feedback, and make continuous improvements.
• Design. User experience is crucial in healthcare apps – a convenient and intuitive interface can make a tremendous difference. Therefore, it is vital to prioritize user-centric design to guarantee that both patients and healthcare professionals discover the app effortlessly to navigate and a pleasure to use.

Must-have features in a health application

These features lay the groundwork for an efficient health application that caters to a wide range of healthcare needs.

1. User authentication – secure and convenient user login options, ensuring data privacy and personalization.
2. Electronic Health Records (EHR) integration – seamless access to patient records, allowing healthcare providers to access and manage medical information.
3. Telemedicine functionality – in-app video or audio consultations, expanding access to care, especially in remote or urgent situations.
4. Prescription management – helps users schedule and track medications, with reminders and dosage information to ensure adherence.
5. Symptom checker – a reliable symptom checker for users to assess their conditions and make informed decisions about seeking medical help.
6. Appointment scheduling – allows users to book appointments with healthcare providers, streamlining the patient-doctor interaction.
7. Health and fitness tracking – enable users to monitor their physical activity, nutrition, sleep, and other health-related metrics, promoting wellness.
8. Secure messaging – facilitates communication between patients and healthcare providers, ensuring privacy and convenience.
9. Emergency services locator – provides users with the ability to locate nearby hospitals, clinics, and pharmacies in times of urgency.
10. Data analytics and insights – offer personalized health insights and data-driven recommendations, helping users make informed choices for their well-being.

Advanced features

These are advanced features that utilize modern technology to boost the capabilities and scope of your mhealth mobile app, making it even more useful.

1. ML-powered predictive analytics – implement machine learning algorithms to analyze user data and provide personalized health insights and recommendations.
2. IoT integration – connect your app with IoT devices, such as wearables and medical sensors, to collect real-time health data, to allow for continuous monitoring and analysis.
3. Blockchain-based health records – blockchain technology helps to enhance the security and integrity of electronic health records, ensuring immutable and tamper-proof health data.
4. AR for medical training – augmented reality can be used for medical professionals’ training and surgical simulations, offering a realistic, immersive learning experience.
5. Geospatial health data – this feature enables location-based health services, such as identifying health risks in specific areas and providing tailored health information for travelers.

How to monetize your mhealth app

Even if you’re developing an app for internal usage in a hospital, it can still generate income. However, the strategy will differ depending on the app’s specifics. Let’s explore several options for monetizing your mhealth solution.

• Paid apps (users purchase the app upfront) – this model is suitable for apps offering premium features or specialized medical content.
• In-app purchases – basic features are free, but advanced functionalities or content require in-app purchases.
• Subscription-based model – implement subscription plans, such as monthly or annual payments, for access to advanced features and content or telemedicine services.
• Telemedicine consultation fees – charge users or healthcare providers for telemedicine consultations conducted through your app.
• Advertising and sponsorship – you can display targeted healthcare-related advertisements to users (or charge for access to the app without ads) and seek sponsorships from healthcare organizations to promote their services.
• Data licensing and sales – offer anonymized, aggregated healthcare data to researchers, pharmaceutical companies, or healthcare institutions for insights and analytics.
• Affiliate marketing – partner with healthcare products or service providers, earning a commission on referrals or sales generated through your app.
• Health insurance integration – collaborate with health insurance companies to provide users with discounts or rewards based on their health and wellness activities tracked through your app.
• B2B model – offer your app as a white-label solution to healthcare organizations and institutions.

How much does it cost to develop a healthcare app?

The final cost of mhealth app development services depends on the team’s hourly rate, which averages at $50. Developing a basic app typically requires around 10,000 hours, resulting in a cost of $50,000. More complex solutions with advanced features can cost up to $250,000 or more.

Please note that these estimations are relevant for outsourcing the project to a mhealth app development company. If you are planning to hire an in-house team, the cost will increase because, in addition to salaries, you will have to cover operational costs.

How to choose an mhealth app development company

Selecting the right healthcare app development company is crucial to the overall success of your project. Here are some essential tips to help you make the right choice.

Tip #1: Experience is key

Look for a team that has a demonstrated history of creating healthcare apps. Their knowledge of industry regulations and best practices will help ensure a seamless development process and a dependable final product.

Tip #2: User-centric approach

Opt for a company that prioritizes users and their needs. Your mhealth app should be easy to use and enjoyable for both patients and healthcare professionals. A development team that understands the role of user experience will create an efficient and user-friendly app, increasing chances for its success.

Tip #3: Security and compliance expertise

Ensuring the safety of health data is crucial, therefore, it is important to choose an mhealth app development company that has expertise in security and compliance. The privacy of your users and the reputation of your app depend on it, so make sure the company has a HIPAA-compliant healthcare solution in their portfolio and can provide a strong security plan for your app.

Tip #4: Communication and collaboration

Effective communication is essential for a successful app development project. When selecting a company, look for one that actively involves you in the process, listens to your needs, and provides transparent progress updates. Choosing a collaborative partner who is aligned with your goals will greatly enhance the effectiveness of achieving your mhealth app objectives.

Summary

To compete and succeed in the rapidly expanding field of mhealth apps, it is crucial that your solution is secure, convenient, and user-friendly. An experienced and reliable mhealth app development partner can help you achieve this.

At Itexus, we have technical proficiency and extensive knowledge of the mobile health sector. Combined with our user-centric approach, this enables us to develop solutions that deliver value. Whether you want to develop an app from scratch or improve an existing one, we are here to assist you. Contact us to learn more about the services we offer.

The post Mhealth App Development: Cost, Features, and Trends first appeared on Itexus.

Fitness apps, in their essence, are designed to help people improve their physical condition. They may encompass a wide range of features—from monitoring exercise routines and dietary habits to providing motivational content and health-related insights. By harnessing the capabilities of smartphones and wearables, fitness apps transform the way we manage our overall well-being, making healthy lifestyle more convenient and accessible than ever before.

Given this, it’s not surprising that forward-thinking businesses are inclined to building fitness apps. Going to create your own fitness application? Read on to learn how to develop a fitness application and get an idea of the process with Itexus.

Overview of the fitness apps market

The landscape of fitness apps has undergone significant changes in recent years, reflecting the increasing focus on health and wellness in society. If you are considering health and fitness app development, start by exploring the current state and trends of the market.

• Health and fitness apps made $4.12 billion in revenue in 2022, which accounted for about 15% of total health and fitness technology revenue.
• The global fitness app market is projected to reach $120.37 billion by 2030.
• As of March 2023, FitPro was the most downloaded fitness and sports app for global users worldwide, with over 3.43 million downloads.

Current trends in the fitness apps industry

Technology transform the world in numerous ways, and the fitness industry is no exception.

• The integration with wearable devices has become inevitable in fitness apps. Smartwatches and bands are insanely popular, and they can provide useful data such as heart rate, activity intensity, calorie expenditure, and more.
• Social networking and gamification. The strategy of the gamified process helps to actively involve users and makes it easier for them to achieve their well-being goals. Social networking features also allow users to share and discuss their progress, serving as an additional source of motivation.
• More personalized experience. By integrating artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) components, apps can now offer tailored fitness experiences. AI- and ML-powered applications provide users with personalized exercise routines and dietary schedules based on their characteristics, preferences, and schedules.
• Remote workout sessions are in high demand these days, so fitness facilities are now actively collaborating with fitness apps to provide training sessions to individuals.

Types of fitness apps

The fitness app market is no longer limited to basic workout tracking. It now encompasses a diverse array of niches and specializations. From yoga and meditation apps to running and strength training platforms, there’s a fitness app for nearly every interest and fitness level.

Activity tracking apps

These apps help people live more active lives by keeping track of their physical activities. They gather and analyze data about users’ daily movements, workout details, calories burned, sleep patterns, and other information. Most activity tracking apps work with devices like the Apple Watch or Android Wear. These apps use the following options to track activity:

• location services allow for measuring the distance covered, speed, and pace, while also monitoring the routes taken;
• the accelerometer keeps track of the user’s steps and monitors the pace and rhythm of their walking or running.

Workout apps

Workout apps provide personalized exercise routines, instructional videos, and different workout options that can be accessed whenever needed. These apps can easily connect with trackers, smartwatches, scales, and other devices to give fitness enthusiasts a complete overview of their progress. If you’re planning to create a workout app, consider incorporating the following set of features:

• gamification elements to motivate users to exercise;
• calorie expenditure and water tracker;
• personalized workouts tailored to specific fitness goals and experience levels;
• social network feature to bring in competitive element and share progress.

Diet and nutrition apps

Weight loss apps is one of the most popular types of fitness solutions. They provide information about balanced diets, allow users to track the calories they consume, monitor their weight, and facilitate meal planning by providing recipe ideas. Diet and nutrition apps typically encompass the following features:

• food database and food logger;
• meal recipes;
• meal planner and shopping lists;
• calorie calculator;
• water consumption tracker.

Meditation apps

Meditation apps help users relax and calm their minds. They offer guided meditations, deep breathing exercises, and other techniques. These solutions are often used as helpful additions to mindfulness exercises and can assist with managing anxiety and sleep issues. They also provide mood trackers, meditation timers, and sleep stories. Mindfulness app usually offer the following feature set:

• wearable integration to gather sleep data;
• gamification element to reward progress;
• recommended practices based on users’ goals;
• helpful content on mental well-being;
• live streaming of meditation classes.

Smart coach apps

The smart coach fitness app uses advanced technology such as motion tracking, 3D pose estimation, and machine learning algorithms to help people exercise safely and avoid injuries. These apps analyze users’ movements in real time and provide feedback on exercise techniques. Some apps can even recognize equipment and suggest appropriate weights.

Yoga apps

These apps provide yoga sessions and practices that can be accessed whenever it’s convenient, whether users are beginners or experienced yogis. Yoga apps typically offer audio-guided sessions, organized training plans, and guides for different poses. The features in yoga apps are similar to those in meditation apps, such as live-streaming of classes, gamified process, and personalized training recommendations.

5 steps to create a fitness app

Building a fitness app may not seem as complex as it sounds, but it still requires your fitness mobile app development team to strike a balance between comprehensive initial research, robust frameworks, and engaging user interfaces. This is essential for crafting a successful fitness application. In the following sections, we will explain the process of developing a fitness app with Itexus.

1. Ideation and market research

So, let’s get started on developing your fitness app, shall we? The first thing we need to do is lay a solid foundation. This means we have to clearly define your target audience by considering factors such as age, gender, fitness level, and health goals. Don’t worry, we’ll conduct some market research and competitor analysis to understand the current fitness app market, spot any gaps, and uncover exciting opportunities.

To develop a good fitness app, we should aim to tackle a real issue or meet a specific need in the fitness and health field. User personas and stories will help us to shape the users experience and interactions within the app. We’ll also validate the app concept with potential users or a focus group to gather valuable feedback and ensure it meets their expectations. In short, at this stage, we’ll lay the groundwork for an outstanding fitness app that will perfectly cater to the requirements of your target audience.

2. Planning and strategy

During the planning and strategy phase, we’ll set the direction for your fitness application development journey. The first step is to create a comprehensive business plan that outlines the vision, goals, specific KPIs, revenue model, and other important information for your app. This document will serve as our roadmap.

Next, our team will define the core features and functionalities that your app will offer. Here is a list of features that will be sufficient for the first version of the app:

• Sign up & sign in. Your applications should offer multiple sign-up and log-in methods, including social sign-up, email, and phone registration.
• User profile. Users can create profiles in the fitness app, inputting data on age, height, weight, fitness level, and other details, which are then used to generate personalized workout plans, track progress, and view exercise history.
• Workout plans & demonstration. This feature can be implemented via pictures, 3D animated models, or videos to emphasize proper techniques.
• Notifications and reminders. These can be used to remind users about upcoming training sessions or notify them of reactions from other community members.
• User activity tracking & statistics. Visualize users’ fitness goals and achieve milestones through charts, diagrams, progress bars, animated statistics, and other visual elements.
• Wearables integration. Connecting third-party devices enhances the application’s understanding of the user’s lifestyle, eating habits, and activity levels. By using third-party APIs, your application can connect to various trackers, smartwatches, smart scales, and other devices to collect different activity and body data.
• Social sharing. Sharing workout progress with friends is a great way to keep motivation high. This feature also helps promote your app by automatically including the app’s link in shared posts.
• Educational content. Your app can offer fitness and health tips and personalized educational material based on user goals and achievements, in various formats such as podcasts, videos, and blogs.

To enable the planned functionality, we’ll choose the platform and technology stack. This will include the programming languages, frameworks, and tools that align with your app’s technical requirements. The tech stack will have a significant impact on the development process and performance of your app, so we’ll make sure it’s chosen wisely.

3. UI/UX design

The success of your app depends on the experience it provides to users – it’s as simple as that. Therefore, it is extremely important to design the UI and UX of your solution properly. First, our UI/UX designers will create an intuitive and visually appealing interface that aligns with your brand and target audience, keeping seamless navigation and accessibility in mind. Then, they’ll gather feedback and make necessary adjustments before development.

4. Development and testing

The development phase is when your fitness app actually comes to life. Our backend developers will build the infrastructure of your app, including servers, databases, and APIs, and frontend developers will take care of the user interface and interactions. If needed, Itexus fitness app developers will integrate your app with third-party services like payment gateways, geolocation services, and others. And last but not least is testing and quality assurance. To ensure that your app functions properly, performs efficiently, and is secure, our QA specialists will conduct thorough testing. They will identify any bugs and issues and make sure they are fixed before releasing the app.

5. Launch, maintenance, and support

Launching a fitness app is just the beginning of the journey. Once the app is released, we’ll focus on maintaining and supporting the app, as well as continuously improving and expanding its features to meet the evolving needs and expectations of your users. By regularly updating the app with innovative features, we can not only enhance the user experience but also attract new users and retain existing ones.

How much does fitness app development cost?

The cost of fitness app development varies based on factors such as the app’s complexity, the number of features, design complexity, and others. On average, it will take your development team around 1300 hours to develop a fitness app with basic features. Assuming an average hourly rate of $50, we can estimate the cost of fitness app development to be around $65,000.

Please note that our estimation only covers the costs associated with the development stage. The estimation does not include the work of business analysts, Q&A specialists, designers, or other experts.

Fitness app monetization models

Here are the most popular monetization strategies for your fitness app:

• Paid apps. With this model, users pay to download and install your app. However, providers strive to avoid this option, resulting in a decrease in the share of paid apps in app stores.
• In-app purchases. This strategy involves selling goods within your app, such as gym gear, sports nutrition, and more. Users can also unlock additional training plans or nutrition tips for a fee.
• Advertisements. In this case, you get paid to show ads in your app. These can be banners, out-stream ads, and native ads that should blend in with the user’s experience. However, video ads can have a negative effect on user experience, especially in meditation or yoga apps where interruptions should be avoided.
• Freemium model. The freemium model lets users download and use your app for free, but some features (like advanced fitness plans or ad-free content) are locked. Users can unlock features by paying a recurring subscription fee.
• Sponsored content. This monetization model involves partnering with sports brands, nutrition brands, gyms, or influencers. The brand’s promotional content is placed on your app and an advertiser pays for it.

Summary

The increasing popularity of home workouts and healthier lifestyles has created exciting opportunities for businesses in the health and fitness industries. To take advantage of the global trend towards better physical fitness, you may consider developing a fitness app.

And here you have two options: you can assemble an in-house development team, or you can approach a reputable fitness app development company to handle the whole project for you—from ideation and planning to design, development, testing, and post-release support. We recommend that you carefully consider pros and cons of in-house development and outsourcing options to make an informed decision.If you have already determined that outsourcing is the best option for you, contact us to learn how we can contribute to your project. At Itexus, we help businesses in various industries, including health and fitness, in transforming their ideas into user-friendly, reliable, and innovative apps. And we’re excited to do it for you.

The post App-Solutely Fit: A Guide into Fitness App Development first appeared on Itexus.

It’s proved that mental health is essential to physical well-being and affects all areas of our lives. People’s awareness of emotional wellness’s importance grows, bringing the increasing demand for therapy. And as the age of technology dictates its own terms, healthcare providers consider shifting their services to online more and more often.

If you consider expanding your offering with online therapy, you can develop a custom telemedicine platform. This will require significant money and time investments – depending on the functionality, custom mental health app development may take years. Another option is to buy and customize a white-label app – it’s cheaper and significantly quicker: in the best-case scenario, you can customize and launch it in a couple of weeks.

For those who want to shorten time-to-market and cut development costs with a ready-made customizable solution, we compiled a list of top white-label mental health apps to buy. Check them out if you’re looking for a cost-efficient, reliable, and scalable telehealth application.

1. Itexus

Itexus is a custom software development agency with its own white-label HIPAA-compliant telemedicine app suitable for both web and mobile usage. The app comprises reach functionality for patients, doctors, and admins and will become a great support for organizations seeking to enable automation, efficient care & business flows, and more personalized patient care. Itexus’s specialists would be happy to brand their app and tailor it to your organization’s needs so that you can provide accurate and convenient care to your patients. Moreover, upon your request, they can implement such modules as EMR/EHR, document management, e-prescriptions, treatment history, and more.

The app is available in English, however, Itexus’s mental health app developers can enable any language or multi-language interface. The full setup – from a white-label app to a customized end-to-end healthcare ecosystem – will take 3 weeks.

What’s more, by buying Itexus white-label app, you pay once for the source code and can use it for a lifetime – there are no additional or hidden costs.

2. Confy

Confy is a multi-platform-enabled telemedicine application that can be set as a web or mobile solution. With a mission to make therapy more convenient and affordable for patients, Comfy features an easy-to-use and efficient workflow with comprehensive features to enable virtual care for medical organizations of all sizes. The app comprises such features as appointment booking, payment collection, virtual waiting room, video consultation, patient records, and more. The company offers support in hosting, maintenance, scaling & integration.

3. Continuous Care

Continuous Care offers a white-label mental health app for iOS and Android platforms to help you grow medical practice revenues and personalize patient care. The provider can customize the app’s interface so that it carries your branding. The app’s functionality includes doctor listing and profiles, patient appointment booking, text and video consultations, patient care plans, and more. Note that you’ll have to pay the monthly subscription to use the app.

4. Doxy.me

Doxy.me is suited for healthcare providers of all sizes – whether you are a small organization or a clinic with multiple branches, the platform can be adjusted to meet your specific needs. The app works in all major desktop and mobile browsers, no download or install required. The provider takes privacy and security very seriously and claims that their solution is HIPAA-, GDPR-, PHIPA/PIPEDA-, and HITECH-compliant. Doxy.me offers monthly and yearly subscription plans for individual providers, clinics, and enterprises.

5. ATOM Labs App

ATOM Labs offers a white-label, easy-to-use telemedicine platform for online consultations. Their app will come in handy for private clinics, medical institutions, and startups seeking to offer remote patient consultations over a video call. It has all the core features needed to enable online remote patient treatment. The provider doesn’t reveal information on costs but specifies that pricing includes 3-weeks “help and support” period from their mental health app developers.

6. MDLIVE

MDLIVE is a customizable, scalable telehealth solution for organizations of any size. However, it’s not exactly a white label mental health app – rather, it’s a network of healthcare providers that you can join as a specialist or organization. The company partners with health insurance companies and employers to grow their patient base, but their services are also available to consumer patients directly. MDLIVE’s distinctive feature is a virtual health assistant called Sophie, designed to improve engagement and enhance the member experience. The company offers full and ongoing marketing support to jump-start adoption and drive utilization.

7. DDM Health

DDM created a whole ecosystem of telehealth solutions. One of their most prominent products is a comprehensive library of health self-management education, health coaching, notifications, and behavior change techniques, all available in 9 global languages. It’s perfectly suited for organizations having their own apps and seeking to supercharge them with advanced features and content. DDM’s mobile SDKs are available for iOS and Android.

8. Wellify

Wellify is a customizable patient success platform that can be white-labeled with your organization’s logo, color palette, and branding guidelines and integrated into your existing workflow. In addition to core functionality, the solution has such features as AI monitoring & customized clinician alerts, automated collection of patient outcome measures, mindfulness practices, and more. There are two different pricing and functionality options – for solo practitioners and smaller clinics with up to 20 practitioners or for larger organizations.

9. Healthfully

Healthfully is a white-label behavioral and mental health digital platform featuring a suite of tools for healthcare organizations. The app is designed to facilitate business operations and improve the quality of care by enabling better management, communication, and patient engagement. From scheduling, billing, payments, secure messaging, and registration forms to virtual visits, electronic medical records, and more, Healthfully is an efficient solution for organizations looking to administer care, fulfill operational functions, and connect with their patients.

10. Nova

Nova’s HIPAA-compliant white label mental health app can be customized and branded to match your brand regardless of the organization’s size. The solution is designed to enable simple and instant access to professional help – no app download or plugins are required, patients just need to open Nova from a browser on their favorite device connected to the Internet. Pricing includes monthly and annual subscription fees in addition to a one-time setup fee.

Summary

White-label telehealth app is a great opportunity for medical organizations looking to enter the mental health app market and expand their services with online therapy in the most time- and resource-efficient manner. By buying and customizing a ready-made platform, you can launch your mental health app in a few weeks, while custom mental health app development may take months or even years.

There are multiple customizable and scalable white-label solutions on the mental health app market, so each healthcare provider can pick up the best option. However, before making a decision, you should consider a few factors in addition to the app’s functionality – e.g., some providers take monthly or annual subscriptions fees in addition to one-time setup fees, others don’t provide support in the app’s maintenance, scaling & integration, and so on. So, make sure you’ve considered all factors before opting for a specific solution.

Itexus white-label telehealth platform takes care of all your needs as a provider: it is HIPAA-compliant, easily customizable and scalable, features the necessary set of functions, and can be equipped with extra features if needed. What’s more, it doesn’t require subscription fees – you pay only once for the source code and can use the product for a lifetime. We’d be happy to tell more about our platform and how your organization can benefit from it – contact us to discuss the details.

The post Top White-Label Mental Health Apps to Buy first appeared on Itexus.

Telehealth (also known as telemedicine) software is a type of software designed for healthcare institutions, such as hospitals and clinics, to digitize and automate their workflows. Some apps go beyond management optimization and offer advanced analytics and research opportunities, including AI-based predictive analytics. With more and more solutions emerging every year, thousands of organizations benefit from the flawless integration of telehealth apps. According to An American Medical Association (AMA) survey, 60% of clinicians claim that telehealth allows them to provide more comprehensive, high-quality care. Meanwhile, over 44% of respondents indicated that telehealth decreased the costs of care.

While some healthcare organizations go for custom software systems, others pick white-label apps that can be customized, branded, and used under the medical care provider’s name. The choice between the two options depends on the specific needs of the organization. However, there are some advantages to using a white-label healthcare app over a custom solution – e.g., time and cost saving, scalability, ensured compliance and reduced risk of errors or issues, ongoing support and maintenance, a track record of successful implementations across multiple healthcare providers, etc.

For those looking to enhance the patient experience along with cutting operational costs through introducing a telemedicine solution into their healthcare services, we’ve compiled a list of the top 10 white label health products to buy and customize. Check it out to pick an appropriate solution.

1. Itexus HIPAA-Compliant White-Label Telemedicine Platform

Itexus offers a HIPAA-compliant white-label telemedicine platform for web and mobile use. As an end-to-end telehealth ecosystem, it allows managing all aspects of the healthcare business, from providing support in making better care decisions to automating mundane manual operations regarding supplies, documentation, and more. The company-wide setup of the app takes just up to three weeks. 

Since every institution operates individually, the Itexus team encourages healthcare providers to reach out and order customization of any scale and complexity to ensure an even more personalized patient experience and an enjoyable remote practice for medical staff. 

Key Features of Itexus Telemedicine Platform

For Patients

• AI-based matching system;
• Appointment booking;
• Call scheduling;
• In-app payments;
• Audio & video calls;
• Notifications;
• Patient profile;
• Intuitive, easy onboarding;
• Online chat.

For Doctors

• Accept/reject booking;
• Appointment status;
• Calendar;
• Notifications;
• Online chat;
• Payments management;
• Doctor profile.

2. Healee

Healee onboards organizations in the world of digital health. With their white label health app, institutions can explore the platform and pick the MVP (minimum viable product) features to integrate into workflows first. As time passes, the platform offers to scale and implement enhancements on the way.

Key Features of Healee

• Multichannel communication;
• Digital check-in;
• Patient scheduling;
• BI & reporting tools.

3. AIMDek

AIMDek is an all-encompassing, easy-to-use telehealth platform. It combines multiple specializations and centralizes the work of different departments. With their web, mobile, and desktop apps, providers deliver enhanced patient engagement and stable healthcare, saving time for patients and doctors.

Key Features of AIMDek

• Waiting room;
• Invoice & A/R;
• Patient info & history;
• Video-calling/e-visit;
• Payments;
• Appointment management;
• Text chat.

4. DrCare247

A cloud-based white label health care solution, DrCare247 integrates the entire hospital into one system. It includes Telemedicine, EMR (Electronic Medical Records), Practice Management, and Remote Patient Monitoring modules. By choosing DrCare247, healthcare organizations get efficient white label health and wellness products, a reliable partner, and enormous time savings. 

Key Features of DrCare247

• Scheduling;
• Document sharing;
• Video & audio conferencing;
• E-prescription;
• Billing & payments;
• Digital marketing.

5. InstaPract

Opting for InstaPract, healthcare providers get comprehensive control over remote care to boost the patient experience. The solution is beneficial for providers of primary care, sports medicine, telepsychiatry, geriatric patient care, chronic disease treatment, and medical tourism.

Key Features of InstaPract

• Multi-locality;
• Multi-speciality;
• Payment integration;
• Waiting room;
• Provider scheduling;
• Video conferencing.

6. DocToDoor

Establishing the platform for effective and timely remote patient monitoring is the critical mission of DocToDoor. The solution fosters the unification of telemedicine and better care through quick access to a more in-depth overview of patient health status.

Key Features of DocToDoor

• Patient management;
• Health data monitoring;
• Video consultations.

7. SteadyMD

A fully-configurable solution, SteadyMD empowers providers to set up an individualized end-to-end patient experience. Their white label software for health care is available for all devices and screen sizes and acts as inclusive as possible. Accessibility is also facilitated by tight third-party integrations making one-click appointments real.

Key Features of SteadyMD

• Intelligent quiz & matching engine;
• Integrated scheduling;
• Real-time analytics.

8. swyMed

swyMed puts video consultations and mobile health care at the center of their attention. It strives to be simple, fast, and highly reliable in emergencies. The software provides the best possible audio and video in the case of an unstable network connection.

Key Features of swyMed

• Style configuration;
• Real-time video consultations;
• Low-network control.

9. ConnectCenter

ConnectCenter is a perfect environment to connect an organization’s brand, patients, services, and employees together. An intelligent interface and inbuilt secure workflows prevent data leaks, confusion, and misprescription. 

Key Features of ConnectCenter

• Staff profiles;
• Appointment booking;
• Health monitoring;
• Health data management;
• Video consultations;
• Health blog;
• E-prescription.

10. Sushena Telehealth

Sushena Telehealth, a white label health application, aims to deliver the most satisfactory virtual care experience for patients and doctors. It’s a template-driven, multilingual solution with endless potential for UI customization and optimization.

Key Features of Sushena Telehealth

• Quick onboarding;
• Appointment booking;
• Video consultation;
• Patient intake;
• Digital prescription.

Summary

Telehealth contributes to both the quality of the delivered medical service and essential business performance metrics, such as profits, customer retention, or employee satisfaction. It makes a telehealth solution a perfect target for investment. Institutions can get the most out of the digital transformation with minimal effort in setup and patient and employee onboarding.

It is always hard to consider such a shift before receiving a proper consultation from a professional. Feel free to reach out if you need help with a smooth and stress-free integration of a white-label app into your healthcare business.

The post Top 10 White-Label Health Products to Buy and Customize first appeared on Itexus.

5 Benefits of Electronic Prescription Software

• No Errors in Drug Prescription

Did you know that around 4 in 10 patients’ deaths are connected to taking drugs incorrectly, misdiagnosis, or incorrect prescriptions? Moreover, illegible handwriting adds more to this. It doesn’t only bring incorrect transcriptions but also evokes pharmacists calling to doctors and figuring out what exactly the medication name and dosage are, thus taking a lot of doctors’ time that could be spent providing better care for other patients.

• Automatic Insurance Verification

In a situation with a plethora of insurance possibilities, different types of insurance cover different medications. Prescribing software helps to go through the database and choose the drug which is covered by the patient’s insurance. 

• Instant Medical Reconciliation & Improved Clinical Support

The same drug could be released by different companies under many names in numerous types and dosages. Digital prescription enhances the understanding of drug interactions, as well as helps to track allergies and side effects. Stored patients’ histories also help in decision-making and prevent drugs that are wrong or duplicated from being prescribed. 

• Tracking Prescriptions

According to the statistics, 20 percent to 30 percent of prescriptions on paper are not filled, in some cases, when potential drug abuse comes into the picture, paper prescriptions could be used more than once or get altered to receive a bigger dosage of potentially harmful medication. Both scenarios can end up ruining patients’ health. e-Prescribing software could notify doctors through the system of alerts by any of the mentioned above activities. 

• Facilitated Prescription Refill    

Practitioners and physicians spend much time responding to prescription requests. Digital prescription software drastically speeds up and automates this process.  

How to Benefit from Custom-Developed Electronic Prescription Software

There are dozens of prescribing software on the market, the majority of them are custom-developed solutions specifically crafted for the needs of a particular medical institution. Some are white labels, some are stand-alone and off-the-shelf products. Let’s discuss how you benefit from custom e-prescribing software. 

At Itexus we know how to craft and implement resilient and useful e-prescription solutions by reaching out to end-users through usability testing and overall usability improvement, not to mention deep skills in API integrations, encryption, backend microservices development, and machine learning implementation. 

Core Features of Electronic Prescribing Systems

Let’s discuss the main features to be mindful of while requesting the development of the iHealth e-prescribing software.

• Patient Panel

1. Ability to stay updated about the doctors, personal details, insurance, and prescriptions.
2. Integrated encrypted in-app chat to reach out to doctors either to talk or notify them about treatment-related details.
3. Geo-location friendly system of medication ordering helps to spot the nearest pharmacy or even make an online order for doorstep delivery.

• Doctor Panel

1. Ability to receive alerts and updates about medication management.
2. Integration with the national EHR system via an API to view treatment and allergy history 
3. Integration with medicine database to generate new prescriptions based on the drug’s availability
4. Instant error detection serves help not to duplicate drugs and prescribe the right dosage 

• Pharmacist Panel

1. Ability to view orders from doctors, accept or reject them
2. Ability to manage records history
3. Integration with payment systems to speed up the delivery

• Admin Panel 

1. Ability to manage the users in the system: doctors, patients, and pharmacists
2. Review management
3. Access to payment logs if needed due to transparency reasons 

Integrations to Electronic Prescriptions Platforms

For interoperable and highly-effective e-prescribing software to meet the needs of all stakeholders, pay attention to the following integrations and compliances with the certified systems. 

1. Electronic Health Record (EHR) / Electronic Medical Record (EMR) databases

Electronic medical prescription solutions should be coordinated by EHR/EMR networks to make prescription decisions accurate according to the patient’s medication history. Among the most popular integrations are DrChrono, Allscripts, AthenaHealth, CareCloud, etc.

2. State PDMP Database for the US Region

This type of integration lets doctors get a view of patients’ history of controlled medication consumption which helps to fight dependencies and drug abuse.  

3. Clinical Decision Support (CDS) System

Such integration helps to study health data thus providing more accurate clinical advice. It includes providing alerts on the prescriptions which contradict the patient’s schedule of treatment. CDS systems could use machine learning to examine the previous records and increase clinical decision-making or be developed based on a knowledgeable database, a communication solution, and inference software. Among stand-alone CDS integrations are MDToolbox, NueMD, Surescripts, etc. 

4. Hospital and Clinic Information System (HIS/CIS)

By bringing e-prescription system solutions to the state or national levels, different cross-hospital and cross-clinic information systems could be integrated.  

5. HL7 solutions

HL7 interface development could be performed from scratch or integrated into the existing products. Such solutions help to secure the migration, exchange, retrieval, and sharing of patient’s medical records. 

6. Payment Services

This is quite an important integration as it allows instant payment for the medication prescribed. Moreover, in case a healthcare facility works with big companies or enterprises it could integrate its billing system into the e-prescribe software. 

e-Prescribing Software Development: Step By Step Guide

What Affects the Cost of Electronic Prescription Software?

Make it very clear at the stage of negotiations what your budget is and which solutions the company could deliver to squeeze the needed functionality into your budget. Take into consideration the following aspects influencing the cost of development: 

• Functionality and number of features;
• Third-party integrations;
• Compliances and certifications;
• Number of users;
• Engagement model and the size of the developmental team;
• Technological stack used
• Platforms for your solution.

Bear in mind that the development process is normally divided into several trenches and your budget should cover the initial payment for the solution as well as further integrations, implementations, and maintenance. It’s important to discuss all these aspects at the stage of negotiating with the software development company. You could save on some features and integrations to launch your product faster to the market but it’s better to get a consultation before choosing this option.  

Summary

The American healthcare system is mostly located in the private sector and it’s difficult to unify it under one national policy. Besides, the US reality generates the situation of some insurance covering certain medications, and other types of insurance covering other drugs. Moreover, the same medication is produced under different brands. That’s why there is an urge for scalable and truly interoperable solutions to serve the needs of all stakeholders, especially patients. That’s why e-prescribing software is a must for any healthcare facility. Itexus has vast expertise in Healthcare software development, and is compliant with the following protocols and regulations: HIPAA (American region), GDPR (European region), TLS/SSL, FHIR, IL7, IEC 62304, DICM, PACS, ICD-10, etc. We also follow the best security practices including encryption if needed. Our software specialists are skilled in mobile, Web, IoT, Big Data, AR, VR, ML technologies, etc. To order a consultation, just drop us a line. 

The post e-Prescribing Software Development: Only Essentials first appeared on Itexus.

Today, these apps assist in monitoring symptoms and providing treatment for a range of disorders, including anxiety, sleep disorders, and eating disorders. But how to develop a mental health app? Can a new app attract customers and gain their trust in such a competitive market? Here are some insights from the Itexus’ experts in mental health app development.

Apps for anxiety & depression: key facts

To begin, we have gathered some facts about mental health apps in order to address key questions about the market and its current state.

How big is the segment?

The global market for mental health apps increased from $5.49 billion in 2022 to $6.36 billion in 2023, representing a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 15.7%.

Is it stagnating or growing?

It is growing, and doing it remarkably well. Today it presents one of the most promising online healthcare industries, with depression ranked third as holding the highest mHealth market potential.

What sort of content do mental health apps provide?

The Nature Digital Medicine conducted a study of 1435 apps, from which selected the 350 top-ranked ones. Here are some facts about their content:

• 36% contain information or psychoeducation
• 32% – therapy/treatment
• 25% – symptom or mood monitoring
• 12% – self-assessment
• 11% – peer/community support.

81% of them give focus on a single health-related functionality, while nearly 11% describe 2, and 4.1% – 3 functions. 4.1% don’t provide any clear description of the delivered functionality.

What about the most successful digital wellness apps?

The most successful are the apps focused on mindfulness and meditation (namely, Calm and Headspace). Calm generated generated $200 million in revenue in 2020.

Overall, the wellness app sector was valued at $2.7 billion in 2022, with a projected compound annual growth rate of 17.7% until 2030.

How efficient are mental health apps?

mHealth apps have been proven effective in reducing symptoms of depression (with a “moderate positive effect”) and anxiety.

Another controlled trial demonstrated that mobile applications exhibit superior patient engagement and patient satisfaction compared to clinic-based group intervention for managing illness in patients with serious mental disorders.

How is the mental health market regulated?

Today, there is a regulatory gap in the industry. Institutions like the FDA take a hands-off approach, without exerting any control over the effectiveness of mental health apps or the potential harm they can cause. Specialists refer to digital wellness mobile apps as “a booming under-regulated market”.

How to turn a good mental health app into the best one

Today, customers have the option to choose from the 3 main types of mental health apps:

• Apps that offer therapy interventions for mental disorders, such as depression, anxiety, and others. These are often used as part of clinical care programs.
• Apps that provide mindfulness and meditation practices to increase focus, happiness, and calm.
• Apps that function as platforms with authorized therapists, allowing clients to have therapy sessions online.

These apps have distinct uses, but only a handful in each category prove to be genuinely effective. So, how can you differentiate yourself from the competition and create an app that users won’t uninstall after the initial use?

One way to differentiate your mental health app could be by incorporating livestreaming features to provide real-time therapy sessions, leveraging solutions such as Sendbird’s API for livestreaming. This allows therapists and clients to engage and interact more dynamically. As an alternative to Sendbird consider using Sceyt, Getstream or Cometchat.

Renowned organizations like the American Psychiatric Association (APA) are collaborating to develop an app rating system. This system aims to provide assessment guidelines for the effectiveness and risks of mental health apps. The goal is to improve the current practice of evaluating self-help apps, which currently relies solely on a marketing description in an app store.

If science doesn’t outpace sales, at least sales will become more informative and transparent about their app.

This provides directions for further product improvement and enhancement.

Safety/privacy

Problem

While the situation is evolving, many people still find it challenging to overcome the social stigma associated with seeking mental health treatment.

According to the WHO statistics, one out of four people struggles with mental health issues, and two-thirds of them don’t seek professional help.

Mental health apps can be very helpful in this regard, as long as customers maintain the privacy of their treatment.

Given the under-regulated status of digital wellness apps today, there is a significant concern regarding the security of sharing personal data with these apps. And there is a valid reason for this concern: a study conducted by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited in March 2019 revealed that 19 out of 24 of the most popular health apps in the Google Play marketplace transmit user data to at least one third-party recipient.

Solution

Developers of mental health apps disclose their policies on sharing user data with third parties, but they do so in an unclear manner.

John Torous, director of digital psychiatry at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Massachusetts: “It is clear that most privacy policies are nearly impossible to read and understand”.

That’s why users appreciate the approach of the Molehill Mountain app, an anxiety app for autistic people. It features a privacy statement written in plain language, which clearly explains what data the app collects from customers, how it will be processed, and what rights users have regarding their own data.

 Tip: If a mental health app shares user data with third parties, it should openly and clearly disclose this to its users.

Scientific evidence

Problem

When it comes to self-care apps, customers are seeking scientifically proven information.

But what happens in reality? The Nature Digital Medicine study shows: 64% of studied mental health apps claim effectiveness, with nothing supporting it but scientific language (44%), “random” techniques not validated by scholarly literature searches (33%), “wisdom of the crowd” (19%), and lived experience (14%). None of them contained referenced certification, accreditation processes, or high-quality evidence.

Solution

Step by step, public authorities are introducing regulations and rules to validate these apps. As a result, product owners will soon face a dilemma: either providing their applications with high-level evidence or exiting the market of digital wellness products.

 Tip: Accreditation processes, app libraries, and scientifically proven frameworks will provide genuine value to mental health apps and assist clinicians in recommending them to their clients.

Ease of use

Problem

In general, mHealth is not typically associated with top-notch UX/UI design. However, mental health apps can change that perception. Many of them feature a minimalistic design that is sleek and attractive.

Owners of self-help apps have their reasons for creating them. According to a clinical review published in Evidence-Based Mental Health Month, 74% of users stop using the app after only 10 sessions. Poor mental health app design, along with useless content and privacy concerns, were cited as the main reasons for this drop in engagement.

Solution

Here is the definition of the “ease of use” concept, provided by IGI Global: “The degree to which a person believes that using a particular system would be free of effort.” Successful digital wellness apps are designed with usability and simplicity in mind, so that users, particularly those who suffer from depression and mental disorders, do not need to exert any additional effort to understand how it works.

 Tip: Try to simplify the use of a mental health app and make it as intuitive and user-centric as possible.

Interoperability

Problem

This criterion demonstrates how an app can enable the sharing of data among health professionals, patients, and other relevant parties in meaningful and beneficial ways. User data from mental healthcare apps is typically considered sensitive, which imposes certain limitations on how it can be processed and shared.

Solution

Transferring data to healthcare service providers

It is important to note that when it comes to mental health apps, we are dealing with sensitive health-related data that is transferred to medical institutions and healthcare organizations.

If data is regularly sent to a regional Health Information System, security standards should be integrated into the existing infrastructure. This can be accomplished by using relevant data transfer standards such as FHIR, Direct, and C-CDA, and by translating clinical data into a Clinical Document Architecture (CDA) file.

Integration of mental health apps into an IoT ecosystem

Smartwatches and smart screens are commonly used for monitoring mental health. By integrating a behavioral health app into a connected sensor-equipped architecture, which includes sleep-tracking devices and wearables that measure blood pressure and heart rate, you can enhance the value of your app and attract a larger number of potential end-users.

Telehealth apps as an alternative way to keep mental health in control

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the number of telehealth visits increased by 50% during the first quarter of 2020 compared to the same period in 2019. Telehealth is used for various healthcare services, including mental health consultancy and treatment.

What is telehealth?

Telehealth technology enables healthcare professionals to remotely evaluate, diagnose, and treat patients using telecommunication.

What are the benefits of telehealth?

• Getting care at home. It’s especially convenient in case of a lockdown or when patients can’t easily get to their providers’ offices.
• Getting care after office hours.
• Getting care from a specialist who is not close by.
• More time for communication with your providers.
• Better coordination between healthcare providers
• Lower cost, since virtual visits may be cheaper than in-person visits

Telehealth technologies

• mHealth
  This technology enables the use of applications on smartphones, laptops, and tablets for TeleHealth purposes. These apps enable patients to set medication and appointment reminders, track health measurements, and share information with clinicians. Mobile devices also allow patients to schedule appointments and communicate with healthcare providers through video conferences and text messaging.
• Video conferencing and high-resolution cameras
  Nowadays, clinicians use video conferencing technology to provide care not only for city dwellers, but also for inmates, patients located in rural locations, and military personnel.
• Remote patient monitoring (RPM)
  Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) involves the reporting, collection, transmission, and evaluation of patient health data using electronic devices such as mobile devices, wearables, smartphone apps, and internet-enabled computers.
• Store and forward
  This technology refers to the capture, storage, and transmission of patient health data for asynchronous healthcare delivery. It involves gathering MRIs, CAT scans, X-rays, photos, videos, and text-based patient information, which are then sent to specialists for evaluation and to assist in their treatment.

Must-have features for a telehealth app

To create a successful mental health and wellness app, include these key features for optimal performance and user engagement:

• Self-monitoring. This feature enables customers to stay aware of their internal state and prevents the progression of psychological issues. Your app can assist in monitoring various aspects such as sleep cycles, trigger levels, stress levels, mood patterns, and symptoms of users.
• Diary. Any app that intends to enhance mental health should include a diary feature where users can write down their emotions and thoughts. Additionally, it should provide the option to make drawings, as they can often express feelings more effectively than words.
• Video and audio content. This can include relaxation features, mood-enhancing content, calming music, educational affirmations, relaxation techniques, stress relief, sleep management, and more. Therapists can also attach video and audio files from patients’ sessions for review.
• Support communities. This feature helps individuals facing similar challenges by providing a space to share experiences and seek guidance.
• Notifications and reminders. Adding this feature to your mental health app will prompt users to regularly assess their mental state and engage in exercises, relaxation, medication, and therapist appointments. However, be cautious not to overload users with notifications or reminders, as excessive amounts can contribute to stress in a demanding routine.
• Video calls and chats. The app should have features for therapists and patients to connect through text, audio, video, or live sessions. This gives users the flexibility to choose the communication method they need.

White-label telehealth solution to buy

If you want to take your medical practice to a new digital level, we have a ready-made white-label telemedicine solution that is HIPAA-compliant. With a one-time payment, you can have your own TeleHealth app under your brand, accessible through web and iOS. Take a look at the key features of our white-label telehealth solution, which is available for purchase right now. We also offer on-demand customization to tailor the solution to your specific business needs.

Summary

Thrilled by the perspectives of the mental health apps market? Ready to face the challenges of its tight competition and win your share? 

Start with searching for a tech vendor, who already has:

• A portfolio of mobile app development projects under their belt.  
• Skills in applying security standards to sensitive and valuable data protection.
• Expertise in working with complex interconnected ecosystems.

Once you have the app in place, promote it to people who might benefit from using it. Use live streaming, video ad and other methods of content creation to generate more interactions among users.

The post Mental Health App Development: Tips For Building a Truly Useful Anxiety & Depression App first appeared on Itexus.

Telemedicine dictates the future of healthcare, and medical services providers have to adjust to this unavoidable shift to keep up. But to excel, they have to become pioneers in developing digital practice patterns. Let’s figure out how much keeping up with telemedicine trends will cost to health services providers.

Types of Telehealth Solutions

Basically, any telehealth solution implies getting medical help with digital means of communication. The telemedicine apps market is still gaining momentum yet the major types of such solutions have already emerged.

Real-time interaction

This type is also called live telemedicine, and it is very close to traditional practice patterns. The interaction implies real-time communication like video conferencing or consultation by phone. It enables doctors to assess a patient’s medical history, evaluate mental health conditions, and even conduct an eye test.

Remote monitoring

The main idea behind such solutions is to enable medical providers to monitor patients’ health data remotely. These solutions are the perfect fit for patients with chronic diseases since it allows doctors to monitor their vital health data and share it with doctors right away if needed. However, remote monitoring may require special medical equipment. 

Store-and-forward

Store-and-forward solutions enable medical staff to record and access patient medical data (e.g., test results, medical imaging, bio-signals) remotely. Using such a solution doesn’t require real-time interaction between patients and doctors as all data can be collected, uploaded, and left for analysis by another specialist. This type is used primarily for solving minor health issues.

Features & Cost of Telehealth App Development

COVID-19 has changed the way people live, work, and get medical care. Along with disrupting the comfort of the old routine, the pandemic acted as a catalyst for emerging new telehealth solutions. Once tried, they would become the new health routine because telemedicine is incomparably faster and more convenient than traditional practices. 

In the telemedicine market, there are already many solutions, yet to deliver the best possible patient experience, medical services providers must consider many details. Environment, specificities of particular branches of medicine, patients’ demographic, mindsets, and many other points affect the way patients perceive digital health care. That is why there is still no one-size-fits-all telehealth solution, and that is why medical service providers still approach software vendors for developing brand-new solutions.

Digital healthcare solutions are subject to widely divergent purposes, which poses the implementation of specific features. We’ll consider the commonly used ones.

Core system setup and implementation

That includes project setup and such common features as registration, profile management, notifications, integrations of core frameworks, and setup of the basic cloud infrastructure.

Estimated development time: 200-300 hours

Secure Video Calling and Group Video Chats

Video conferencing enables doctors to recognize symptoms of diseases and estimate the overall patient’s conditions remotely. Group video chats successfully replace traditional group sessions and are widely used in mental-health-related solutions. 

Estimated development time: 250-350 hours

Electronic Health Records

Patient information database enables medical services to manage, search, and display patient data more efficiently. Depending on the solution architecture, different databases can be designed including the ones allowing document sharing.

Estimated development time: 100-200 hours

Appointment Scheduling

With telemedicine, an appointment with a doctor is available to patients at their fingertips. No long queues, wait, or odd-time consultations – doctors update their schedule, patients pick up free time slots, and that’s it.

Estimated development time: 250-300 hours 

Integration Possibilities

A wide range of third-party services can be integrated into a telemedicine solution: mobile payments, insurance services, health monitoring devices, health monitoring apps, etc.

Estimated development time: 150-250 hours

E-prescriptions

The E-prescriptions feature is one of the biggest advantages of telemedicine solutions since it enables doctors to prescribe treatment and medicine right in the app. Patients can buy medicines using e-prescriptions or get prescribed health services through the app.

Estimated development time: 100-200 hours

Treatment history

With this feature, doctors can assess an entire patient’s treatment history which allows them to view, analyze, and adjust treatment.

Estimated development time: 100-200 hours

Built-in Chatbot

A built-in chatbot saves time for both patients and caregivers since it allows the collection of needed medical data before a consultation.

Estimated development time: 200-300 hours

Peer-to-Peer Chat

Communication with other people who struggle with similar health problems can become a part of therapy, so chats are often used in mental-health-related solutions.

Estimated development time: 100-200 hours

Pitfalls of Telehealth Solutions Development

Planning a telehealth solution development, customers usually think about the benefits and advantages the solution would bring to their businesses. Yet there are also some pitfalls to consider and overcome. Let’s figure out the main challenges you’ll face.

HIPAA and GDPR Compliance

When it comes to such sensitive issues as sharing health information, cybersecurity and data protection challenges arise. To gain patients’ trust, protect their privacy, and enable medical service representatives to work in a safe environment, telehealth solutions must be fully compliant with GDPR (Europe) and HIPAA (USA) requirements.

Following data security laws is obligatory if you’re building a telehealth solution, so you can either handle it yourself or entrust getting GDPR or HIPAA certified to your software vendor.

Data Security

This point emanates directly from the previous one. If you want your telemedicine app to disrupt the market, you must provide ultimate data safety to its users.

There are various tools, protocols, and algorithms that would help to protect user data yet implementation of a strong security system is only half the battle. You’ll have to revise it for new vulnerabilities after each update, and you’ll have to train employees to be cyber-aware as well as they are the weakest chain in cybersecurity. According to various sources, about half of all data breaches occur due to human error.

Video quality

A trouble-free video connection is essential for telehealth apps otherwise it may lead to misdiagnosis and ruin patients’ experience. Video quality depends on the device’s camera quality, and we have nothing to do with that. But we can make sure that everything is good on our end and that there are no issues with code or bandwidth.

Trending Technologies for Telehealth App Development

To simplify the interaction between different participants in the healthcare ecosystem and improve the quality of remote medical services, the telemedicine industry has to adopt top-notch technologies quickly.

AI

Artificial intelligence offers new models of providing medical services supplementing innovations in such areas as psychiatry, radiology, dermatology, etc. AI identifies medical issues much faster than people and enables doctors to prevent the consequences of late diagnosis. Simultaneously, using AI in telemedicine decreases hospital overload as it allows remote checking.

Big Data

Big Data is advancing telehealth in several ways. It successfully replaces doctors when it comes to diagnostics due to the ability to quickly analyze a huge amount of medical data. Big data in telemedicine is also used for:

• predictive analytics of patient’s health history,
• storing and sharing health data via clouds,
• post-treatment monitoring,
• identifying trends and preventing disease outbursts in different areas.

Blockchain

Blockchain in telehealth addresses digital patients’ identity, data sharing, and privacy challenges by means of distributed ledger enhancements. There are many ways both patients and caregivers can benefit from using blockchain in telehealth solutions – from improving clinical and administrative workflow to consent management.

IoT

The integration of IoT into telehealth solutions advances both patients and medical service providers. Patients use digitally intelligent devices that can check their blood pressure, temperature, heart rate, etc. Wearables and other devices collect and share data helping doctors to access health data, monitor patients’ condition, prescribe medicines, update health history, and it all remotely.

Business Benefits of Implementing a Telemedicine Solution

Telemedicine is not just the doctor-patient interaction digitalization trend, it’s a new healthcare paradigm. It takes medical services to another level increasing customers’ satisfaction, improving the experience of all health ecosystem participants, and bringing benefits to health-related businesses.

Convenience

People used to have many reasons to postpone medical checkups like tight schedules, the necessity to travel to another city to see a doctor, etc. But with telemedicine, all interactions between patients and caregivers are simplified and fastened. Now to access a doctor, patients just have to launch the application. It implies an increasing number of patients since medical services become more accessible. 

Advanced and easy scheduling

Managing doctors’ schedules via a telehealth solution enables hospitals to save time and resources by cutting administrative routines, improving clinical workflows, and increasing practice efficiency.

Errors reduction

Using top-notch technologies (e.g., AI) in digital care solutions helps to make precise and quick diagnoses and avoid the consequences of late medical assistance. It helps to build a strong and long-term relationship with patients and increases NPS score enabling clinics to attract new patients. 

Time Management of Healthcare Specialists

Online consultation requires less time than an in-person one increasing medical staff efficiency. Yet it provides the same quality of care and enables doctors to work remotely which helps clinics to cut expenses in workplaces. 

Unified Patient Monitoring and Management System

A unified and accessible data hub integrated into a digital care solution enables healthcare providers to eliminate expenses on data storage and practice management software implementation.

Updated and accessible records

Collection, analysis, and update of patients’ health data with telemedicine applications eliminate doctors’ participation, therefore, it saves medical providers’ resources.

Automated mundane tasks

Every business benefits from automation since it replaces manual effort and medical services are no exception. Telemedicine solutions enable clinics to cut operational costs and reduce staff overload by executing routine tasks and processes.

Apart from the listed benefits of telehealth solutions for healthcare businesses, there are some other ways to earn within the application itself. Contact us to define the best monetization options for your telemedicine application.

Summary

Telemedicine is gaining momentum expanding access to care and improving patients’ engagement and experience. Implementation of a telehealth solution enables medical services providers to advance new business models, improve clinical workflow, and increase practice revenue.

Equipping medical personnel with a digital means of delivering care is the near future of the health industry. Depending on your goals, you can either build such a solution from scratch or customize an existing one. And when it comes to developing a GDPR or HIPAA-compliant telehealth platform or customizing a white-label app on-demand, Itexus can do both. 

Drop us a line if you need a new branded telehealth app. And make sure to check out our white-label telemedicine solution that can be customized to meet your specific needs and requirements. 

The post Telehealth Solution Development: Cost, App Features, Pitfalls first appeared on Itexus.

According to a recent study, 76% of patients believe that a medical practice software can help improve their experience and relationship with their physicians. Since it can perform various day-to-day tasks in the clinic, such as appointment scheduling, billing, organizing patient records, and reporting, you can unload a few responsibilities off your shoulders. So you can focus on providing the best care for the patients.

With that, here are some key considerations for a successful implementation of medical practice management software:

1. Evaluate Current Processes

Every business has its own set of needs. What works for one does not necessarily mean it will work for you. It means that first of all you should define the goals and needs you’d like to solve with medical management software. 

Think over your current processes and operations, identify the challenges your business currently faces. Are you struggling to provide remote services for your patients? Do your healthcare professionals feel burned out? Are they getting the support they need to provide great patient care? Are patients satisfied with your services? Is it easy to schedule an appointment? 

These questions will help you determine what software you will need for your business and understand whether it’s a ready-made white-label solution for managing your practice or it’s better to develop a custom medical practice management system to get all the features you need and scale easily in the future. For example, the software with extensive automated functions is great for those struggling with burnouts and insufficient administrative support.  

2. Discuss It with Your Staff

Medical practice software can bring essential changes to your organization. So it is important to build a consensus with everyone affected by these changes. This means consulting with the professional, managerial, and administrative departments of your business.

Through this, you can pinpoint the various issues and challenges that your business currently faces. For example, doctors need administrative support to save time for patient care. Meanwhile, the administrative side of your business will need a software to streamline their workflows. This way, they can avoid bottlenecks in managing patient records and appointments. And finally, managers will need software to help them keep everyone on the same page and run all business operations smoothly. 

By being inclusive with your consultation, you will get a well rounded view of the challenges that your business current faces. This narrows down the specific practice management software features you need to consider. 

3. Compute Overall Costs

Developing or getting a ready-made medical practice management system will cost. It can be a fixed one-time payment or monthly subscription fee for the solution. Or it takes several tranches to develop a custom software. You need to set aside a certain budget from the initial payment for the solution itself to the actual implementation and maintenance.

Just keep in mind that the price reflects a software’s features, performance and scalability. You can sometimes sacrifice certain features or integrations to save money and launch healthcare practice management software faster.

4. Check the Integrations

Businesses nowadays use multiple software at once. To make sure that everything is streamlined and connected, you should consider the integration capabilities of all your software including the medical practice management system.

Integration capabilities make it easier to manage all your tools and data. This, in turn, can improve your staff’s performance efficiency. Likewise, it can reduce errors, save time and even the expenditure.

Compatible integrations can also make your software’s implementation easier and smoother. It ensures that you can seamlessly incorporate it into your current workflows. For example, if your business currently uses any billing or accounting software, you can integrate your medical practice management software to make the process of sending invoices and receiving payments from patients more streamlined.

5. Train and Educate the Staff

According to The Digital Skills Gap, 72% of large companies and 49% of smaller ones are suffering a tech skill gap. This is something you need to consider. You must ensure that your staff can successfully adapt to the software before the installation. This way, they can use it efficiently.

Ask the developers or a consultant to hold a training on how to use the healthcare practice management software. Likewise, make sure that they know who to contact in case they have any questions with the software.

Business Benefits of Medical Practice Management Software

The main goal of medical management software is to reduce the time doctors and support staff spend on paperwork and routine workflows. The software really helps focus on patient health that leads to practice improvement and patients’ satisfaction. Different ready-made medical practice management systems offer dozens of features, but very often small clinics look for features that can help cut down the time and money spent. 

The main business benefits of implementing a medical practice software are the following:

1. Faster payments and reimbursements
2. Updated and accessible records
3. Automated mundane tasks
4. Advanced and easy scheduling
5. Improved patients’ satisfaction
6. Errors reduction

As a result you’ll come to the main goals every clinics set:

7. Saved money on less staff hiring
8. Increased revenue on getting more appointments

Off-the-shelf vs. Custom Medical Practice Management Software

The main question that arises when a clinic or a doctor decides they need a medical practice management system is whether to buy an off-the-shelf platform or a custom one. Here are some facts to help you make the right decision. 

Off-the-Shelf Medical Management Software 

There is a great variety of medical practice management platforms with different features, integrations, scalability options and for different prices on the market. To help you choose, here is a compilation of medical practice management software.

Ready to use. The one of the biggest benefits that you can see is that it’s ready for use. Just pay, install, setup and use. In case of custom software development, you need to wait for the software launch.

Cheap in a short run. Such software can be quite cheap because of its mass selling. Their aim is to embrace as many users/subscribers as possible. You are not the only one who pays for the product. Still, sometimes it can end up costing a fortune because of the subscription cost and maintenance.

High cost of setting up. There is no fits-for-all medical management software, so you should think about adapting it to your practice. As we already mentioned, it is necessary to think over the processes you have and integrations you need. It may require additional costs on customization.

Too many functions. Mind that sometimes you just don’t need all the features of a ready-made solution, so it’s the point to develop your own medical practice management system. A bunch of unnecessary features will just confuse and annoy the employees.

Not scalable. The majority of off-the-shelf medical practice management systems are not able to scale and grow together with your business. You should do your best to convince the solution owner to add new features or modify it.

Custom Medical Practice Management Software

You can also consider to develop a custom medical practice software that tailor-fits your business operations and workflows. There is also an option to hire a tech team to build as well as to implement a medical management software. Sometimes it can save more money in the long run. Things to consider are the following:

Features you really need. Consult with the developers in advance and discuss all the features and integrations you need. Such an approach ensures that you’ll get the medical practice management software that meets your specific requirements.  

Software support. If you face any bugs or usability problems with the software, you can refer to the team that has developed the platform. The majority of software development companies provide clients with the maintenance, update the system regularly, and fix bugs.  

Security. With an off the shelf solution there is always a possibility of hacker attacks. Since each development company is focused on long-term relationships with clients, the software security becomes the top priority. That’s why they pay special attention to security and data safety.

Flexibility and scalability. This is an important point for those who are still not sure which features they need. The in-house business analytic can offer a set of main functions to implement in a medical practice management software. After testing an MVP, you can always add or remove something. Finally, you will get your own medical practice software without unnecessary features.

Wrapping up

Running a private medical practice can be tough. You must provide an excellent patient care while also juggling the business side for your medical practice. And very often you’ll come to the idea to get a practice management system. 

Think over all the processes and other other software tools you have and get a consultation on the medical practice management software on the market and consider the possibility of developing a custom medical practice management system for more convenience. Besides some software companies may sell a while-label medical management software with exclusive rights and they can customize it just for your business needs. If you have a certain need in any kind of medical software development or customization of your own solution, contact us for a consultation. We’d be glad to discuss it.

The post How to Implement Medical Practice Management Software in Your Business first appeared on Itexus.