When it comes to developing a fitness app, there are several key considerations that need to be taken into account. With the rise of telemedicine and telehealth in recent years, many healthcare providers are looking for ways to integrate technology into their services. In this article, we'll explore the ins and outs of building a telemedicine app, from understanding how they work to overcoming common challenges.
How Do Telemedicine Apps Work?
Telemedicine apps allow clinicians to treat patients remotely, regardless of location, using a computer or smartphone equipped with a camera, microphone, and custom software. The typical online consultation workflow may include:
- Patients logging into the system (new or existing account) and choosing related symptoms, specialists, and services
- Booking an appointment (video call) using a built-in calendar
- Receiving a visit confirmation and holding a scheduled video call
- Doctors asking for medical history during the online consultation, communicating about symptoms, and prescribing treatment and lab tests
- Patients carrying out online payment using a built-in payment gateway and receiving receipts with prescribed meds and doctor's recommendations
Challenges of Telemedicine App Development
One of the biggest challenges in developing telemedicine apps is interoperability. The nature of health data poses a paradox: it is difficult to share because it is sensitive and requires a high level of privacy and security, yet its inability to be accessed when needed can result in substantial harm. A lack of interoperability among various healthcare IT systems can lead to additional barriers to care provision, higher expenses, and administrative pressure.
Another challenge is compliance with healthcare laws and regulations. Any healthcare provider handling Protected Health Information (PHI) must follow the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). In addition, information gathered or processed in the EU is subject to GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation), even if it relates to a non-EU citizen.
Language Barriers
While digital health can improve healthcare for some population categories, it can also throw more hurdles for others. For example, in the United States, 25.6 million people with limited English proficiency face many social, economic, and cultural challenges exacerbated by healthcare systems and technologies designed with English speakers in mind.
Tech Stack Needed to Develop a Telehealth App
The choice of technology stack will heavily depend on your business vision and goals, the type of platform (web, mobile, or other), developer availability, inherent security, development speed, and ultimate cost. According to Doximity's recent report, 59% of patients prefer mobile devices for telemedicine.
Some popular instruments that telehealth software engineers choose to work with include:
- Front-End/UI: JS frameworks such as Angular or React
- Backend: Python/Ruby/Java
- iOS: Swift
- Android: Kotlin/Java
- Cross-Platform: React Native/Flutter
- Data storage: MySQL, Hbase, MongoDB, Postgres, Cassandra
- Cloud: Amazon Web Services (AWS), Google Cloud
- Micro-services: Node.js, Express
Discovery Stage in Telemedicine App Development
The discovery stage is one of the most challenging phases in telemedicine app development. It involves gathering project information and finalizing the app specifications. Some key points to work through during this stage include:
- Validating your idea by identifying specific problems your telemedicine app solves, studying your target audience, finding out the strengths and weaknesses of your competitors, and determining your own
- Finding a reliable technology partner that has domain expertise in healthcare
By understanding how telemedicine apps work, overcoming common challenges, and choosing the right tech stack, you can set yourself up for success in developing a fitness app. Remember to prioritize interoperability, compliance with healthcare laws and regulations, and language barriers when building your app.