In Parts I, II, III and IV of this series, we evaluated the current state of health system app development and found that it is still very far behind where it should be.   Health System apps being released are still sub-par In Part I, we outlined the findings of the 2015 studies done by Accenture and IMS on the state of digital health: mhealth apps lacked relevant features for patients. They were also found to be behind …

After reviewing the branded mHealth apps listed in Part I of this series, we were surprised to find that, two years after Accenture released its report on Digital Health and the features requested in an app for hospitals, mHealth app features still fail to deliver on the core functionalities patients are coming to expect in an app. These features include: Access to electronic medical records Appointment scheduling and changes Prescription refills Those apps that do provide these features only …

In Part II of this series, Limited Functionality for mHealth App Features, we described the different types of functionalities implemented in the mHealth apps assessed and found that significant shortcomings still exist in the mHealth app development market. After downloading the apps and analyzing them, it became clear that the functionalities promoted in the app descriptions – whether in iOS or Google Play – are treated equally whether the feature is delivered in the app, linked out to a …

Only 11% of hospital apps offer at least 1 of the 3 functionalities patients want most. Pick up the cell phone of any of your friends or family members — or even your own — and you have nearly a 60% chance of finding at least one wellness app. Mobile device apps have taken consumer-driven economics to an entirely new level, giving a new level of autonomy to individual consumers. In the wellness space, mHealth applications have grown …

The fundamentals of UX Design and UI Design are ideas that were around long before the internet, but what do they actually mean? In simple terms, UX Design (user experience design) refers to how a person feels when interacting with a system (this could be a web or mobile application, website, or desktop software). UI Design (user interface design) refers to how everything fits into a device with which a human being can interact (such as a display screen or …

Mobile applications have never been more popular than now. As every industry becomes more fast-paced and tech-dependent, each is advancing to provide services at the highest level of efficiency — and healthcare is a perfect example. Currently, there are over 165,000 apps related to mhealth in the Apple App Store. If you’re not thinking about healthcare app development, you should be. Finding the right company to manage your mhealth app development can open doors, increase the efficiency of …

As a provider of patient portal, SaaS (software as a service) applications, and hosting solutions to the healthcare industry, we get asked this question a lot. Before we can answer it question correctly, we must first understand how HIPAA relates to software and hosting, and what is involved in HIPAA compliant IT. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act was enacted in 1996 to address the growing use of technology in healthcare, specifically the transaction of health information …

Healthcare website design is a unique field in that visual appeal and excellent UI/UX aren’t the only considerations. Websites must also be HIPAA compliant. To avoid penalties, it’s important to recognize that attention to the protection of personal health information (PHI) is as important in healthcare web development as it is in securely storing and transferring patient records. Whether you are developing a brand new HIPAA compliant website, or simply want peace of mind regarding your current website and …

With demand for online access to medical records on the rise among web- and health-savvy patients, leveraging technology like patient portals and electronic medical records can help healthcare organizations with patient acquisition and engagement, as well as meeting MACRA thresholds for better coordinated, higher quality care. In order for patients to take advantage of the online tools you offer, a well-developed messaging strategy is essential. Your patient-targeted messaging should answer questions like: “What is an EMR?” “How are …

Mobile technology is becoming an essential tool for healthcare providers and their patients. If your healthcare organization is looking to invest, it’s important to consider how the technology you choose will impact cost, ROI, and the quality of the end product. Download the Free Guide Here. Michael Scranton As Director of Business Development, Michael is passionate about helping healthcare systems successfully transition to value-based care. http://www.medicalwebexperts.com