Custom Healthcare Software Development: 12 Things You Need to Know Before You Start

Custom healthcare software development has taken off in recent years. Experts predict that the global market for mobile medical apps will grow from around $2.4 billion in 2017 to more than $11 billion in 2025. 

Off-the-shelf solutions have their place, but custom software development offers even greater potential for efficiency, personalization, and security. These benefits are compelling in any industry, but especially in healthcare, where patient safety and privacy are paramount. 

In this article, we’ll dive into the exciting world of custom healthcare software development. You’ll walk away with the critical factors you must consider before embarking on a custom software development project to maximize your chances of an effective, secure, and scalable healthcare solution. 

What is Custom Healthcare Software Development?

A broad range of applications fall under the umbrella of custom healthcare solutions. The scope of projects ranges from patient-centered solutions, like telehealth apps and patient portals, to provider-specific applications that help manage patient data and deliver healthcare services in hospitals and clinics.

Thanks to the proliferation of smartphones, access to healthcare information and services has expanded with healthcare software applications. Healthcare applications enable patients to schedule appointments, view visit summaries and test results, and track wellness metrics like heart rate, blood pressure, or even anxiety levels. 

On the provider side, custom healthcare software development includes comprehensive solutions, like electronic health record (EHR) systems, platforms that enable virtual care, patient monitoring systems, and more. Custom software solutions can benefit every category of medicine, from traditional medicine to holistic and mental health. 

Learn more: Enterprise Software Development vs. Consumer Software Development

Examples of Custom Healthcare Software Solutions 

If you’re unsure if the problem you’re trying to solve can be addressed with custom healthcare software, consider these solutions for inspiration. 

• Electronic Health Records (EHR): Manage patient data in a secure, central location. 

• Telehealth Platforms: Facilitate the virtual delivery of healthcare services. 

• Wearable Devices: Enable tracking and monitoring of personal health data. 

• Prescription Management Systems: Track and manage medicine orders for patients. 

• Appointment Scheduling Platforms: Allow patients and providers to manage visits.

• Fitness & Wellness Applications: Promote and/or track healthy habits toward a goal. 

• Patient Education Platforms: Serve as a digital resource for patients to learn. 

• Data Analytics Tools: Surface and facilitate data-driven decisions around key trends. 

Key Points to Know Before You Start

Developing a custom health solution can be challenging. Understanding the possible pitfalls and unique requirements is key to a successful project. 

1. Understanding Regulatory Requirements

To protect patient safety and privacy, healthcare solutions must adhere to several key regulations. Healthcare applications that handle personal health information must comply with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, commonly known as HIPAA. This law outlines certain patient rights, like ensuring patients have access to their own information. Other HIPAA principles pertain to privacy, security, and the duty to notify patients of security breaches. 

Other regulations, like GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) and the HITECH (Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act), also affect how a healthcare application is designed and deployed. GDPR goes a step further than HIPAA, which deals exclusively with personal health information, requiring consent to process all personal data. Likewise, HITECH builds on HIPAA and requires notification of data breaches and security incidents. 

In all cases, hiring a development partner with experience in healthcare software development can help you navigate the relevant regulations and avoid penalties. 

2. Defining Clear Objectives

As with any software development project, identifying specific goals will ensure your project stays on task and minimizes costly scope creep. Before development begins, outline exactly what you hope to accomplish with your solution. 

For example, are you aiming to improve patient outcomes, decrease administrative load, or reduce no-show appointments? Whatever your objective, set measurable goals. That way, you can ensure your project stays on track and delivers true value for your target audience. 

3. Choosing the Right Development Partner

When it comes to healthcare technology, partnering with a reliable software development company is critical. Look for a company with a track record of success. Case studies and past projects can instill confidence in a potential partner’s capabilities.

Also, investigate what other clients say about their experience by reading Google reviews and checking sites like Clutch, and G2. Most importantly, choose a company with healthcare software development experience. Partnering with a team that understands the requirements specific to healthcare will minimize hiccups and increase your chances of success. 

Learn More: 8 Questions To Ask a Potential App Development Partner

4. Budget Considerations

It’s critical to pinpoint exactly how much you’re willing and able to spend on your healthcare software project. Understanding your financial restrictions will help avoid overspending or budget-related project delays. 

Be sure to consider not only upfront costs, like those associated with development, but also hidden expenses, like maintenance, software updates, and audits related to compliance and regulatory requirements. A proactive approach to your “all-in” cost will make it easier to avoid unforeseen, expensive surprises down the road. 

Learn more: How to Calculate ROI for Custom Software

5. Technology Stack Selection

Your tech stack is a critical consideration in your healthcare software development process. For example, if you're building an Android app, you might opt for a programming language like Java, while a JavaScript library like ReactJS might be better suited for a cross-platform app. 

Choosing the right technologies for your project can increase your impact in the market and set up your solution for long-term success. Ultimately, you’ll want to select technologies that stand the test of time and support scalability as your user base grows. 

Future-proofing your software also looks like selecting technologies that support your product’s goals. For instance, consider mobile compatibility, integration options, and the developer community, all of which have an impact on the long-term trajectory of your application. 

Learn More: The Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Best Tech Stack for Your Product

6. User-Centric Design

While usability is an important consideration in any digital application, it’s particularly vital for patient-facing applications. A successful healthcare solution minimizes user frustration and makes the user experience as intuitive as possible. 

One way to achieve a user-friendly interface is to involve healthcare professionals in the design process. Understanding user pain points, frustrations, and workflows enables the development of a product closely linked to how healthcare users work and think.

Learn More: Behavioral Design is the Future of UX

7. Integration with Existing Systems

Interoperability with existing systems is critical for healthcare software solutions. In the case of healthcare systems and hospitals, this may mean integration with an EHR. Because these systems represent significant investments for healthcare providers, other solutions typically must work alongside, rather than uproot, existing technologies. 

In addition, compatibility with current software and systems also enables seamless data exchange. By ensuring communication between your solution and other technologies, you can also leverage critical data, reduce information silos, and minimize disruptions to existing workflow—all of which promote user adoption and value. 

Learn more: Enterprise Application Architecture: Key Principles for Success

8. Data Security and Privacy

Security is a priority for all sorts of applications, but in healthcare, the stakes are particularly high. Not only can security breaches result in significant fines, but they also have the potential to cause detrimental impacts on patients. 

To that end, custom healthcare software development requires implementing robust security measures. Encryption, role-based access controls, and two-factor authentication are just a few ways to protect patient data. In addition, regular audits and vulnerability testing must be a part of the software development process, especially for healthcare solutions.  

Learn more: Application Security: 7 Ways to Build a More Secure App

9. Scalability and Flexibility

Designing software for right now is short-sighted and can hinder growth. Instead, design your custom software product in a way that allows it to grow with your organization. Best practices, like adopting cloud infrastructure and other technologies that simplify iteration, will make your solution nimble. 

Adapting to future changes is important in any industry, but it’s especially critical for healthcare applications. Technology advancements, policy changes, and shifting regulations mean flexibility is key for healthcare technology. Developing customs that can be retooled easily without a major overhaul is important. 

Learn more: 7 Reasons Legacy Systems Hold Your Enterprise Back

10. Testing and Quality Assurance

A clunky rollout can ruin your reputation and inhibit your solution from gaining market traction. That’s why it’s so important to put your software through rigorous testing before it’s ever released to the market. 

Testing for healthcare solutions falls into several buckets: 

• Functional: Ensure the product accomplishes what it says it will. 

• Performance: Test if the product holds up under the pressure of significant data and users. 

• Security: Identify and address any vulnerabilities.  

A limited release or controlled testing with beta users may also be a helpful strategy to minimize and address any hiccups early on. 

Learn More: 6 Scrappy App Soft Launch Ideas That Work

11. Training and Support

Successful deployment of a custom healthcare software solution doesn’t end when version one is complete. It extends beyond your launch data to provide adequate training for end users. Even a highly intuitive user interface requires sufficient training to ensure users can take advantage of all the software features and maximize their value. 

Likewise, a clear and well-thought-out support and maintenance plan is critical for long-term efficacy. Consider how the development team will handle any issues with the software itself and what troubleshooting resources will be available for users. Failure to think through these additional steps can get in the way of the product’s effectiveness. 

12. Compliance and Certification

Healthcare software products often must meet specific industry standards, including obtaining necessary certifications. Relevant requirements will depend on the software product. For example, an EHR system may need to obtain ONC-ATCB certification, a third-party standard that verifies the software successfully supports care coordination and interoperability. Medical devices, on the other hand, can comply with ISO 13485, an international standard certifying the presence of a Quality Management System (QMS). Other FDA requirements are also at play for some devices. 

Even after you achieve any pertinent certifications, always have a plan for regular compliance monitoring. Even small changes in requirements can create compliance issues. Periodic checks to ensure the software adheres to all relevant laws and standards can save you from unnecessary headaches and expenses. 

Final Thoughts on Custom Healthcare Software Development

Building a custom healthcare software solution offers numerous benefits for patients and providers. In the best cases, your healthcare product has the potential to improve patient outcomes and experience, increase efficiency, reduce costs, expand access, and more. 

Thorough planning and attention to detail are critical to experiencing these benefits. By understanding relevant industry requirements, outlining clear objectives and restrictions, and partnering with an experienced healthcare development partner, you can avoid common pitfalls and optimize your solution for success. With the right preparation, you’ll be well on your way to making your mark on the healthcare industry and achieving your unique development goals. 

Work With Designli: An Experienced Healthcare Software Development Partner

Ready to get started making your healthcare software development solution a reality? With extensive experience in the healthcare space and a track record of success building user-centered technology, Designli can help. Schedule a free consultation to explore our development solutions and take the next steps to start your custom healthcare software project. 

Explore our Custom Software Development Services →

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