The Impact of Custom Medical Software Development on Patient Care
eHealth is almost on the verge of replacing the traditional healthcare system in the coming years.
From patient records to prescriptions, every aspect of care has become digital, closing the time gaps left behind in traditional practices during care delivery. To give an idea about where the latest healthcare software development trends are, studies reveal that Patient Health Records (PHR), Telemedicine services, Electronic Health Records (EHR), and health information exchange with external providers are some of the leading trends in the current day healthcare landscape.
Though on the surface, it looks like an increase in the adoption of custom medical software for increasing communication in healthcare, a study stated that the adoption rate of ePrescription systems has been rising from 66% to 94% from 2017 to 2021.
Healthcare systems have indeed made healthcare much easier, but do you know what is the next big thing for healthcare professionals?
Well, it is practice-centered custom medical software for improved patient outcomes by offering personalized care services.
But what would the impact of implementing custom software in medical practices be on healthcare delivery?
In this blog post, let’s see exactly that!
Improved Communication and Collaboration
The healthcare industry needs to be well coordinated to work in synchronization, and this is achieved by improving communication and collaboration between healthcare providers. But how does custom software improve patient communication and foster collaboration among healthcare professionals?
A custom medical software development process adopts a patient-first, practice-centric approach which creates a system that virtually connects healthcare service providers. From specialists, care managers, patients, pharmacists, billing, etc., any change in the care plan is updated in real-time to improve communication between care providers.
To achieve this, custom medical software comes with communication telehealth integration to enable virtual consultation between patients and providers. Along with that, additional advanced communication features like secure messaging and alerts real-time communication are enabled, which improves collaboration, resulting in better preventive care with timely interventions. It further improves collaboration among healthcare professionals with features like secure messaging and appointment scheduling tools, which make the day-to-day administration of clinical workflow much easier and more sophisticated.
Furthermore, reflecting all this on the patient portal maintains transparency and streamlines communication involved in patient care delivery.
Optimizing Patient-Doctor Communication Through Technology
Download Free GuideEnhanced Data Management & Accuracy
By implementing custom software in medical practices, you instill data-driven practices in your healthcare delivery. The software’s integration with electronic health records (EHR) systems provides care managers with accurate data to make the right decisions to improve patient outcomes.
Furthermore, the collected data with RPM devices and healthcare systems are directed integrated into the patient’s electronic health record. Along with that, the updates are notified to everyone in the care team in real-time, this enhances data management and increases accuracy in the delivery of care for patients.
The major benefits of custom EHR systems for patient care are that they reduce errors in medical records, which avoids all the necessary test duplication and other factors affecting patient care. Data integration increases the accuracy of data, which directly improves the diagnosis process and treatment planning and provides a heads-up to the providers about patients who are at higher risk. This enables them to be ready with necessary preventive care measures to ensure patient safety and improve their health outcomes.
Personalized Care & Patient Empowerment
Being a healthcare professional, you know that every patient has unique needs which requires personalized care to improve patient outcomes. The latest healthcare software development trends have recognized this and started focusing on personalized care by empowering patients in their care journey.
Custom healthcare software development, which adopts a patient-first approach, enables care managers to develop personalized care plans by giving them access to a patient’s complete medical history. This, along with real-time communication with healthcare providers, allows them to curate personalized care plans by taking individual patient needs into consideration.
Another important aspect of the patient care journey of patient empowerment is addressed with mobile healthcare apps. These apps empower patients by giving them more control of their health. Patient portals allow them to manage their health conditions and track their progress in real-time. This combined with suggestions and lifestyle changes allows them to take effective measures to achieve the desired healthcare result.
Leveraging Technology for Personalized Patient Care
Join Free WebinarIncreased Efficiency & Cost Saving
Did you know that administrative tasks cost around 15% to 35% of the total spending on healthcare?
This can give you an idea of the total cost spent on patient care and other aspects. However, this is where the cost-saving benefits of custom medical software come into the picture.
With advanced technologies and custom medical software development, the software can streamline most administrative tasks and clinical workflows within healthcare facilities. Telehealth consultations have already reduced the traveling and other expenses for both patients and providers, but going a step further, distinct features like automated appointment reminders and online bill payments can streamline administrative tasks, allowing healthcare professionals to focus more on patient care.
Conclusion
Custom medical software development has brought a revolution in the healthcare industry. With a record high adoption rate of 92.1% electronic health records with custom medical software development, the very nature of healthcare from reactive to proactive care. From enhanced communication to personalized patient engagement tools and cost-saving benefits, the future of the healthcare industry with custom medical software development will result in better patient care with accurate diagnosis and treatment.
However, with the introduction of advanced technologies like AI, ML, and blockchain, the full potential of custom software development is still being explored. Its adoption as best practice for custom medical software development can change the entire landscape of the healthcare industry with enhanced patient care.
So, if you’re looking for a perfect custom medical software solution for your practice, then click here to book a free call and know more about building the ideal custom medical software solution for your practice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Custom medical software offers tailored features that address specific workflows and patient needs, unlike off-the-shelf solutions with generic functionalities. This can improve efficiency, accuracy, and patient care.
Custom software can improve patient communication and satisfaction in several ways:
- Automated appointment reminders and follow-ups can improve patient engagement.
- Secure messaging platforms allow for two-way communication between patients and providers.
- Self-service portals empower patients to manage their health information and appointments.
Security considerations for custom medical software focus on protecting patient data throughout its lifecycle. This includes:
- Confidentiality: Encrypting data at rest and in transit to prevent unauthorized access.
- Integrity: Ensuring data accuracy through validation and audit trails.
- Availability: Guaranteeing authorized access to medical data 24/7.
- Authentication: Implementing strong user authentication and access controls.
Custom medical software development costs vary greatly depending on complexity, but typically range from $30,000 to $500,000. Factors like features, regulatory compliance, and the development team’s location impact the final custom medical software development cost.
Developing custom medical software follows a strict process. First, define the problem it solves and target users (doctors, patients?). Then, detail exact features and functionalities. After that, build a basic prototype to test the concept. With feedback, design the software’s user interface and ensure top-notch security. Rigorous testing follows to iron out any bugs. Finally, deploy the software and provide ongoing maintenance.
Custom medical software is built just for you, like a tailored suit. It perfectly fits your specific needs and workflows. Off-the-shelf software is like a store-bought suit – good quality, but may not hug your curves (unique needs). Customization comes at a cost though – custom software takes time and money to develop, while off-the-shelf solutions are faster and cheaper to deploy.
Custom medical software should prioritize both functionality and security. Look for features that address your specific needs, like appointment scheduling or remote patient monitoring. It should securely handle sensitive data, complying with HIPAA regulations and using encryption. User-friendly interfaces for both staff and patients are key, along with features that improve efficiency and communication.
Custom medical software can revolutionize healthcare by tailoring tools to specific needs. Imagine software that analyzes a patient’s data to suggest personalized treatment plans or one that empowers patients to manage medications and access records easily. This improves accuracy, streamlines workflows for staff, and fosters better communication, ultimately leading to better patient outcomes and a more satisfied, engaged patient population.
Patient data is shielded by a multi-layered defense. Access controls limit who can view information. Encryption scrambles data, making it unreadable to unauthorized users. Both data in storage and being transferred are secured. Regular checkups for weaknesses and staff training in data security are crucial. These measures, along with following regulations like HIPAA, help keep patient information safe.
Successful adoption of custom medical software hinges on user involvement. Involve staff early, understand their workflows, and tailor the software to fit their needs. Prioritize clear training and ongoing support to address concerns and ensure smooth integration with existing systems. By empowering staff and making the transition seamless, you’ll boost adoption and maximize the software’s benefits.
