One of the things that we felt it was worth covering at Healthworks Collective is the growing value of healthcare technology. Statistica reports that there are over 1.3 billion people that use digital health services around the world (as of data from last year but that figure may be even higher today). Therefore, it is clear that demand for this service is growing rapidly. You can’t ignore the way personalized features help meet specific patient needs.
This is one of the reasons that custom telemedicine app developers are so popular these days. This technology is going to be very helpful in the years to come as healthcare providers look for ways to offer better care for their patients.
It has many benefits that can help improve the doctor-patient relationship. Keep reading to learn more.
They Help Reduce Wait Times
You don’t have to call and sit on hold to schedule an appointment when using a custom solution that is connected to the provider’s actual scheduling system. There are features built into these apps that allow users to view live appointment slots. It is a small change that can cut average delays. Mary Chris Jaklevic, an author with the Association of Health Care Journalists says people currently have to wait 38 days on average to see their doctor, which is a long time. You will want to do whatever you can to speed things up. You end up saving time that would be lost in old scheduling routines.
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They Are More Convenient for Patients
You are more likely to use healthcare services when the app makes it more convenient to do so. There are custom telemedicine apps that let you book visits, view past notes, and manage prescriptions all in one place. It is far less stressful than using multiple portals or having to call different departments.
They Help Patients See Healthcare Professionals More Quickly
You are not always able to wait a month or more when symptoms arise. There are custom apps that give users direct access to a network of licensed providers based on condition or specialty. It is this kind of targeting that helps triage patients faster. You often see same-day availability once the app prioritizes high-need cases.
They Let Patients Get Health Updates in Real-Time
You are not left refreshing your inbox or hoping for a call with real-time alerts. There are apps that connect to lab systems and electronic health records to deliver notifications the moment results are ready. It is especially helpful for chronic patients who track metrics like blood sugar or blood pressure. You reduce stress just by knowing you’ll get updates the moment they’re available.
They Make it Easier for Healthcare Providers to Monitor Patients Remotely
You are no longer limited to the information shared in person during an appointment. There are custom tools that let doctors review patient-submitted data such as weight, mood, or medication logs. It is part of why C Lee Ventola noted that 70% of providers already used apps as far back as 2014. This number has probably grown even more. You can build stronger care plans when providers see trends in real time.
They Help Make Booking Appointments More Efficient through Automated Bookings
You don’t have to manually find and confirm every visit when automation is in place. There are booking tools in these apps that send reminders, offer cancellations to waitlisted patients, and even reschedule when needed. It is one of the easiest ways to reduce no-shows and make sure appointment slots are filled. You also avoid burnout for staff who no longer have to juggle constant phone calls.
They Can Help Make Messages Between Patients and Doctors Be More Secure
You are trusting apps with some of the most sensitive details of your life. There are security benefits to custom builds, which allow teams to encrypt communications and add features like two-step authentication. It is a growing concern, especially since Upguard found that more than 57% of healthcare organizations suffered over five data breaches. You are better protected when the app isn’t using recycled code that may have known flaws.
They Help Make Test Results More Readily Available
You are not kept in the dark about your own health status. There are tools in custom apps that pull lab results straight from the source and explain them in plain language. It is a fast track to keeping patients informed and reducing the need for extra follow-ups. You also give people a clearer view of how their treatments are working.
