
The approach that healthcare workers take when caring for patients has evolved significantly in the past decades. The same happened with healthcare software – it has changed to accommodate modern needs, and continues to improve in order to give patients a better experience.
One of the ways designers and developers have improved their solutions is to choose a patient-centric approach, focusing on the user rather than sticking to the old system-centered models.
What is Patient-Centric Healthcare Software?
Patient-centric software refers to technology designed in a way that puts the needs of a patient first. This approach allows for more personalized and, therefore, efficient care. Focusing on the patients’ concerns and preferences has great potential to improve patient satisfaction and, in turn, overall health outcomes.
Patients are more likely to adhere to their care and therapy plans when they feel their needs are being considered and that their voices are actually being heard. What is more, medical monitoring or tracking software that is built in a user-friendly way might further promote patient engagement in their own healthcare journey.
Timeline of Healthcare Software
We have gone a long way from dusty archive rooms full of paper-based records to virtual, modern solutions that put the human experience first. There is no denying that the growth of technology has changed the healthcare industry forever, and to track the evolution of that field, we would need to travel back in time by hundreds of years to see the advancements that allowed the creation of today’s solutions.
To make it simpler, we will just focus on healthcare software specifically, as it plays a large part in today’s medical environment. Thousands of various apps and systems have been made in the last decades, and more are yet to come.
Let us highlight some significant advancements in the medical software and healthcare industries:
- One of the first Electronic Health Records systems was developed in the 1960s, and it was used by the renowned Mayo Clinic. EHR and EMR solutions were extremely expensive back then and not affordable for most healthcare facilities.
- Billing and scheduling software made its way into big hospitals and government-ran health clinics in the 1970s. It was still rare to have a computer in a doctor’s office or exam room at that time.
- More affordable options arrived in the 1980s, when computerized systems were introduced to more healthcare facilities, and their user-friendliness began to improve. They still required some experience with technology to operate and were quite simple. The servers took up a vast amount of space and still cost a significant amount to maintain.
- The technological boom of the 1990s was revolutionary for the field: by that time, EHR and EMR systems became more widely adopted outside big hospitals, and even some medical robots made their way to smaller clinics and practices.
- By the start of the new millennium, keeping computers in healthcare facilities was a common standard in the US and European Union. Systems to manage, analyze, and safeguard patient information were expected to be in place in order to comply with regulations and ensure proper patient care.
- The rise in the number of smart devices and wearable technology meant more work for every healthcare app development company. Fitbits, health tracking, online prescriptions sent to mobile phones, and more – it all became commonplace. More focus is put on individual preferences of the user.
- Since the 2010s, and especially throughout the 2020s, users have increasingly relied on smartphones as their primary tool for managing every aspect of their lives, including shopping, digital banking, and entertainment. Healthcare is no exception. Many of the most renowned health tech startups are closely tied to mobile devices, including Teladoc, Flo, Calm, MySugr, ZocDoc, Fitbit, Strava, and Headspace. Another growing trend in this context is that startups are increasingly outsourcing mobile application development, reducing development costs by up to 40% compared to in-house development.
- When COVID-19 hit the world with its devastating impact, the demand for remote healthcare services grew to levels previously unseen. Millions of people worldwide have moved to video appointments and telemedicine platforms to avoid visiting physical clinics. Patient portal software development became a key focus for many professionals in the field.
Benefits of Patient-Centered Software in Healthcare
Among many benefits that patient-centric software brings to healthcare are, as briefly mentioned before, improved patient engagement. Studies show that when patients are involved in their care through systems that prioritize their individual experience over generic solutions, they are more likely to continue their treatment plans and understand their health conditions better.
Patient-centric approach also helps deliver care that is of higher quality, as the software takes into account individual preferences and goals of every user. For example, weight loss therapies that are aided with personalized patient portal apps with personal recommendations and progress tracking have shown to be more effective.
Accessibility is another crucial advantage, as the nature of healthcare is that many patients may need special adjustments or help to navigate the software. When building patient-centric software, developers usually keep in mind that not everyone using the solution will have the same condition or level of ability.
Another benefit is a smoother experience for practitioners and facilities – patient-centric software encourages
The Future of Patient-Centric Healthcare Software
There is no doubt, that in the nearest future the practice of focusing on the patient when developing healthcare software will continue to grow. It is good, though, as it has been proven that a patient-centric approach results in better health outcomes and more satisfied people.
Some studies suggest that it is also beneficial for medical facilities, as a comfortable patient who feels heard is less likely to avoid booked appointments or cancel at the last minute. They are also more likely to stay under the care of a particular facility instead of changing doctors frequently.
Telemedicine and health monitoring apps will surely continue to evolve in a way that brings even more convenience and accessibility to patients, increasing the number of people using healthcare software. AI integration is already becoming a part of this shift, including systems that assist patients in their treatments and therapy journeys.
Conclusion: Patient-Centric Software Brings Benefits to All
As we have mentioned before, the patients are not the only people who benefit from the change in the approach. It is entirely possible to build systems that both focus on the patient and provide healthcare facilities with high-quality tools and support. One does not have to exclude the other.
Prioritizing patient-centric software over traditional systems can change the way people approach their own health, thus improving the public healthcare system as a whole. This can also help educate people about the importance of being proactive in maintaining their health.
Overall, there is no reason why healthcare software should not be patient-centric. In fact, creating it in a way that makes the patient the primary focus can be advantageous to medical facilities, healthcare professionals, and the people that they treat.