Everything You Need to Know About mHealth Apps

Mobile phones have opened new avenues for various industries, from retail to finance to hospitality, and even healthcare. This is the reason why mobile health (mHealth) apps have been on the rise lately. The role of mobile apps in the healthcare industry is huge and making big leaps as we speak now!

Mobile apps in healthcare have significantly improved the quality and approach toward health services. Thus, the market for mHealth apps is fast evolving, with dynamic options for both caregivers and patients.

By leveraging the power of mobile technology, these apps enable healthcare providers to streamline communication, optimize workflows, and deliver personalized care experiences. With features such as telemedicine consultations, remote patient monitoring, and electronic health record integration, mHealth app development facilitates seamless coordination between patients and healthcare professionals, irrespective of geographical barriers.

Moreover, they empower patients to actively engage in their own healthcare journey, promoting preventive care, medication adherence, and lifestyle management. Ultimately, mHealth apps not only enhance the quality of care but also drive cost savings and revenue growth for healthcare businesses, positioning them at the forefront of digital healthcare innovation

As per the report of Grand View Research, the mHealth apps market was valued at $32.42 billion in 2023 and is forecasted to reach $86.37 billion by 2030, with a CAGR of 14.9% from 2024 to 2030.

These numbers not only indicate the growing popularity of mobile health technology but also clearly indicate that users are adopting mHealth mobile apps. So, this is why it’s not surprising to see so many companies and healthcare professionals investing in mHealth app development.

On that note, let’s delve into the various types of mHealth mobile apps, exploring their functionalities, user engagement strategies, and other valuable aspects of app development.

Exploring the Diverse Range of mHealth Apps: A Detailed Overview

There are multiple mHealth apps in the market, and more apps are being created and launched daily. Most of these apps fall into one (or more) of the following categories:

Clinical and diagnostic apps

These types of apps help doctors and physicians collect health data, analyze, and then share it. They allow practitioners to view lab results, check electronic health records, or even perform digital imaging. Such apps also help patients and doctors to check the symptoms and diagnose the illness.

For instance, Ada is a popular mHealth app that helps to verify symptoms and get first-hand answers to your medical questions.

Remote monitoring apps

Remote monitoring apps allow patients to get virtual care from their physicians while staying at home. Practitioners can take care of their patients by keeping a check on their heart rate, oxygen level, blood pressure, and other healthcare issues without the need for regular visits. Read this blog to know why your hospital needs an app.

Productivity apps

There are a plethora of mobile apps for health that help increase the productivity and efficiency of healthcare providers. These types of apps are designed for home healthcare scheduling, mobile charting, and remote dictation. Such apps focus on offering these functions while maintaining HIPAA compliance.

For instance, YouCOMM is a popular mHealth app developed by Appinventiv for in-hospital patients. The app allows the patients to connect with nurses in real-time, enhancing the latter’s response time by 60%.

Reminder apps

This is a basic kind of app that can remind patients of appointments or when to take medications. Although sometimes these apps come as a part of a larger app, they are also available independently. For instance, RevSpring Patient Connect enables you to download, view details of, and confirm appointments you have with healthcare service providers.

Text and Video Communication apps

Fueled by the pandemic, patients have realized the benefits of virtual video consults and text messaging options that connect them to their caregivers. These apps help in better communication and foster better patient care.

(Also read: How Much Does Telemedicine App Development Cost?)

Prescription apps

Prescription apps allow doctors to prescribe the right medicines for patients and set dosages to avoid side effects or cancel prescriptions at any time. GoodRx is one of the examples of a prescription app that assists users find affordable  medication prices and discounts at local pharmacies, ensuring cost-effective healthcare access.

The app’s user-friendly interface and comprehensive database also enhance medication adherence by ensuring that patients can easily locate and purchase their prescribed medications at the lowest possible cost. Overall, the app plays a crucial role in improving healthcare affordability and outcomes for millions of users.

Mental health apps

Mental health apps aim to make therapy more accessible, flexible, and effective. They can help combat depression, stress, anxiety, sleep disturbances through pre-recorded meditations, breathing exercises, gamification elements, and more.

For instance, Headspace is one of the best examples of mHealth apps. It is a meditation app designed to help you relax and live more mindfully. The app offers meditations for beginners as well as experienced users to combat stress and anxiety.

[Also Read: The Role of Technology in Mental Health – Trends and Innovations]

Fitness and Wellness Apps

Fitness apps focus on promoting physical activity, healthy eating, and overall wellness. They often include features like workout routines, diet plans, and tracking tools for exercise, sleep, and nutrition. Examples include apps for running, yoga, meditation, and personalized fitness coaching.

Chronic Disease Management Apps

These apps assist patients in managing chronic conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, and asthma. They provide tools for tracking symptoms, monitoring vital signs, medication management, and logging daily activities. Some apps also offer educational content and reminders for medical appointments and medications.

Health Education and Awareness Apps

These apps are designed to educate users about various health topics, ranging from general wellness to specific medical conditions. They provide reliable information through articles, videos, and interactive tools. Some apps also include quizzes and assessments to help users understand their health better and make informed decisions.

Benefits of mobile health apps for healthcare professionals and patients

With the adoption of mHealth and telemedicine, the advantages for caregivers, healthcare organizations, and patients are numerous. Below are some obvious benefits of mobile health apps:

1. Reduced risk of misdiagnosis: When doctors or physicians handle patients’ records manually, there are high chances of diagnostic errors. In the US, more than 12 million people are affected by diagnostic errors every year. An estimated 40,000 to 80,000 people die annually from complications from these misdiagnoses. Since mHealth apps for patients keep track of all prescriptions, communications, and treatment options, the risk of diagnostic mistakes is also reduced. Healthcare service providers can both offer data-driven treatment to their patients and secure themselves from malpractice lawsuits.

2. Easier access to medical reports: With an mHealth mobile app, patients don’t need to rush to hospitals to get their medical reports. Instead, they can get the report online, which can be accessed at any time. The users can then consult the doctor accordingly, without going through the trouble of forgetting the reports at home or misplacing them.

3. Optimized person-hours: Long work hours among physicians is a worldwide issue in the healthcare arena. This causes excessive stress, negatively impacts the quality of care, and strains the resources of healthcare organizations.

Mobile health technology allows healthcare professionals to have all records in one place, monitor treatment procedures, and get in touch with patients without wasting their time.

4. Timely care at remote locations: This is one of the major benefits of mobile health technology. The majority of people at faraway locations can now get timely care by scheduling video calls with healthcare professionals. Patients can avoid regular visits to clinics as doctors can monitor their patients through video or audio calls. Moreover, the push-notification system in apps can send important health tips and precautions to users.

5. Real-time communication: Mobile health apps for patients can be used for real-time collaboration, consultation, and information sharing with doctors globally. These mobile health systems benefit patients as doctors from around the world can share knowledge in real-time. Moreover, real-time communication allows doctors to keep a constant check on patients’ health. Also, women health tracking app development offers tailored solutions for managing reproductive health, tracking menstrual cycles, fertility, and pregnancy, and helping them manage their health.

6. Convenient bill payments: Dealing with bills is a complicated process for both patients and hospital staff. It is a time-consuming task to manually keep a track of bill payments by patients and run after insurance companies for bill clearance. However, with mobile apps for health, this lengthy procedure can be cut down to a few minutes. The patients can also select their preferred payment method, pay online and connect to their insurer (if required) via apps.

Moreover, if you create a healthcare app, you can customize the content to view only paid bills, unpaid bills, and so on. Therefore, the payment procedure becomes convenient for both ends with the help of mobile health systems.

Essential Features of Successful mHealth Apps

When developing a health app, it’s essential to integrate features that cater to the specific requirements of both healthcare providers and patients. Let’s explore the key mHealth app development features that contribute to the success of these applications.

Extensive Features for the User Panel

Easy Sign Up: The users can easily sign up for the apps by using their email address or social media accounts.

User-Friendly Interface: Intuitive and easy-to-navigate design to ensure users of all ages and tech-savviness levels can use the app effectively.

Personalization: Customizable settings and content to cater to individual user needs, preferences, and medical conditions.

Remote Consultation: Telehealth capabilities for virtual consultations, video calls, and messaging between patients and healthcare providers.

Educational Resources: Access to a library of reliable medical information, guidelines, and educational materials to help users manage their health.

Progress Tracking and Analytics: Tools for tracking health progress over time, with detailed analytics and reports that can be shared with healthcare providers.

Multilingual Support: Availability of content in multiple languages to cater to a diverse user base.

Offline Functionality: Capability to access certain features and information without an internet connection, ensuring usability in areas with poor connectivity.

Appointment Scheduling and Reminders: Allows users to schedule, manage, and receive reminders for medical appointments, reducing missed visits and improving adherence to medical advice.

Medication Management and Notifications: Features that help users manage their medications, including reminders to take their doses on time, track refills, and provide information about drug interactions.

Community and Support Networks: This feature helps users connect with support groups, healthcare professionals, and other patients for advice, sharing experiences, and emotional support.

Features for Healthcare Provider’s Panel

Data Security and Privacy: Robust encryption, secure login, and compliance with healthcare regulations like HIPAA to protect sensitive patient information.

Interoperability: Seamless integration with other healthcare systems, electronic health records (EHRs), and medical devices to ensure comprehensive care.

[Also Read: Achieving Interoperability in Healthcare IT – The Whys and Hows]

EHR Integration: Seamless integration with Electronic Health Records (EHR) systems to provide healthcare providers with access to comprehensive patient data, facilitating better care coordination.

Clinical Decision Support: Assisting healthcare providers in making informed clinical decisions by providing evidence-based recommendations, alerts, and reminders during the patient care process.

Real-Time Monitoring and Alerts: Allowing the healthcare providers to track vital signs and health metrics in real time, providing instant alerts for critical changes or reminders for appointments.

Creating a Comprehensive mHealth App: A Step-by-Step Guide?

Now that we have discussed the key benefits of mHealth app development, let’s discuss the steps involved in carrying out a successful mHealth app development process. Following these steps to carry out mobile app development for healthcare industry will not only enhance service delivery but also enable businesses to grow and thrive in the digital health landscape.

Identify a problem

When creating a mHealth app, it’s important to understand the end-users needs. Identify the problems they are facing and how your application can make it better. At this stage, you can also dig deep and choose a medical field to launch your app for. For example, your mobile healthcare solutions can be around diabetes or anxiety disorders.

Choose platforms

The next step is to choose the platforms your application will be deployed on – Android, iOS, or web. An important thing to note here is that elderly patients generally tend to prefer visiting a website, while teenagers are more app-friendly. Your market research will come in handy when deciding the platforms for your mobile health app development.

Hire an app development company

Hiring a reliable healthcare software development firm will ensure that your app includes all the latest features and functionalities. A reliable mHealth app development company has a team of UI/UX designers, expert mHealth app developers, and market specialists who offer competent suggestions and always take your vision into account. The company also provides access to the newest technologies and offers the latest industry expertise.

Select a monetization model

The intent of all the applications, across genres, is to earn money. Usually, when we talk about how to earn money from an app, the healthcare domain works around two types –

• Subscription-based model
• Freemium model with paid access to premium services

Build an MVP

Create an MVP instead of a full-fledged application to ensure that the solution is well-tested and validated before it enters the market.

To create a successful MVP, the hired healthcare app development company will identify the key features of your solution, and then build an app accordingly. MVP software development also helps users share about their experience with your app, telling what functionality they would like you to add to your product.

Test your app

Testing is a crucial step when creating mobile healthcare solutions. Test everything from user experience and user interface, to content. Proper testing will help identify bugs, shorten the development time and cost, and greatly improve your reputation as a service provider.

Launch and track performance

Once your application has been thoroughly tested, it’s ready to welcome users. After launching your application, track its performance with the in-app analytics tools you implemented during development, address user concerns and requests, and introduce updates to keep users engaged.

mHealth App Development Cost: A Quick Overview

The average cost of developing mobile health apps might range from $45,000 to $80,000. If you are looking to make use of emerging healthcare mobile apps trends like artificial intelligence or Blockchain, it can cost somewhere between $100,000 to $150,000. However, this is a very rough estimate. There are a number of factors such as the location of mHealth app developers, complexity, and features of your app that can increase or lower the final price.

Make sure to consult a trusted app development company like Appinventiv. The experts will guide you through the entire app development process and ensure that you get the best product at affordable costs.

Challenges and Rising Solutions in Developing mHealth Apps

Developing mHealth apps presents several significant challenges that must be addressed to ensure their success and efficacy. To overcome these hurdles effectively, it is crucial to delve into detailed and professional solutions tailored to each specific issue. By addressing these challenges in mHealth app development comprehensively, we can ensure the successful development and deployment of your healthcare solution.

Challenge: Data Security and Privacy Concerns

Handling sensitive health data requires robust security measures to ensure compliance with regulations like HIPAA (in the U.S.). Unauthorized access to personal health information could lead to legal consequences and loss of user trust.

Solution: To safeguard sensitive data, implement end-to-end encryption, secure authentication mechanisms (e.g., biometric authentication), and access controls. Regular security audits and compliance checks should also be conducted.

Challenge: Interoperability

Integrating the app with various existing healthcare systems, devices, and data sources can be challenging due to the lack of standardized protocols and formats, hindering seamless data exchange and interoperability.

Solutions: Utilize standardized healthcare data exchange protocols such as HL7 FHIR (Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources) to facilitate interoperability with electronic health records (EHR) systems and other healthcare IT infrastructure.

Challenge: User Engagement and Adherence

Encouraging consistent usage of the mHealth app and promoting adherence to treatment plans can be difficult, especially for long-term conditions. User retention and engagement are crucial for the app’s effectiveness.

Solution: Employ personalized notifications, reminders, and gamification techniques to enhance user engagement and adherence. Incorporate user feedback loops and behavior analysis to tailor the app experience to individual preferences and needs.

Challenge: Technical Complexity

Developing an mHealth app involves dealing with complex technical requirements, such as real-time data syncing, offline functionality, and cross-platform compatibility (iOS, Android), which can increase development time and costs.

Solution: Adopt agile development practices to iteratively build and test the app, prioritize features based on user feedback, and quickly adapt to changing requirements and technological advancements.

Challenge: Regulatory Compliance

Adhering to regulatory requirements across multiple regions, such as FDA regulations for medical devices or GDPR for data protection, adds complexity to the development process and necessitates thorough documentation and testing procedures.

Solution: Businesses launching mHealth apps globally should follow specific regulations tailored to each region. In the USA, adherence to HIPAA and PHI regulations is essential for protecting patient data, alongside compliance with CCPA, NIST, and GDPR for broader data privacy and security measures.

Canadian apps must adhere to PIPEDA to uphold data privacy standards, while the UK mandates adherence to NSCS guidelines for healthcare app security. Throughout the European Union, strict compliance with GDPR is necessary to safeguard user data. Now, partnering with a custom mHealth app development firm with required knowledge of healthcare compliances can help in mitigating regulatory risks and enhances the likelihood of a successful and compliant global app launch.

Challenge: Integration of Emerging Technologies

Incorporating emerging technologies like AI, IoT (Internet of Things), and wearable devices into the app introduces additional challenges related to data integration, device compatibility, and user experience optimization.

Solution: Design the app with a modular architecture that allows for easy integration of new technologies and third-party services. Use APIs and SDKs provided by wearable device manufacturers and other technology vendors for seamless integration.

Challenge: Scalability and Performance

Ensuring the mHealth app can handle a growing user base and increasing data volume while maintaining optimal performance across different network conditions and device specifications is a significant challenge.

Solution: Cloud-Based Infrastructure

Leverage scalable cloud infrastructure (e.g., AWS, Azure, GCP) to accommodate growing user demand and ensure high availability and performance. Implement caching mechanisms, content delivery networks (CDNs), and load balancing for optimized performance.

Current Trends in Mobile App Development for Healthcare

Here are the latest trends in mHealth app development, gaining traction worldwide among leading players in the healthcare industry, poised to revolutionize patient care and wellness management.

Telemedicine Integration

mHealth apps are seamlessly integrating telemedicine features, enabling patients to consult with healthcare professionals remotely, expanding access to care and convenience.

AI and Machine Learning

Leveraging AI and machine learning, mHealth apps provide personalized health insights and predictive analytics, empowering users with proactive health management tools and precise diagnostics.

Wearable Device Integration

Integration with wearable devices allows mHealth apps to continuously monitor vital signs and activity levels, providing users with real-time health data for better tracking and analysis.

Blockchain for Security

Embracing blockchain technology enhances data security and privacy within mHealth apps, ensuring the integrity and confidentiality of patient information, bolstering user trust.

Remote Patient Monitoring

mHealth apps focus on remote patient monitoring, empowering healthcare providers to track patients’ health data in real-time, enabling timely interventions and personalized care plans.

Mental Health Support

Recognizing the importance of mental health, mHealth apps development offer resources like meditation guides and stress management tools, fostering emotional well-being and resilience.

Chronic Disease Management

Tailored for chronic disease management, mHealth apps development assists users with symptom tracking, medication reminders, and educational content, promoting proactive self-care and treatment adherence.

Voice Recognition Technology

Integration of voice recognition technology streamlines user interaction, allowing hands-free input of health data and effortless access to information, enhancing user experience and accessibility.

Augmented Reality (AR) for Training and Education

AR enriches training experiences for healthcare professionals and delivers interactive educational content for patients, promoting immersive learning and skill development.

(Also Read: How AR VR Apps Are Gamifying Exercise And Workout?)

Gamification

By incorporating gamification elements, such as rewards and challenges, mHealth apps incentivize user engagement and foster behavior change, making health management enjoyable and motivating.

IoMT

The Internet of Medical Things (IoMT) is revolutionizing the healthcare industry by integrating medical devices with network technology to provide real-time monitoring and data exchange. This innovative technology encompasses a wide range of connected medical devices, from wearable health monitors and smart sensors to advanced imaging systems and remote patient management tools. IoMT aims to enhance patient care, improve healthcare outcomes, and streamline clinical workflows through seamless connectivity and data-driven insights.

Mastering mHealth: Appinventiv’s Journey in Developing Cutting-Edge Applications

Appinventiv is a leading healthcare app development company, specializing in creating innovative and tailored solutions to meet the evolving needs of the healthcare industry. By working on multiple versatile mobile health apps, we have helped our clients revolutionize healthcare delivery by streamlining processes, enhancing efficiency, and creating a more connected healthcare ecosystem.

For instance, you can take a look at how we helped our client Healthe People to create an application that allows users to find medical caregivers for their friends and family.

For another client Soniphi, we developed an app that uses vocal information to provide you with a complete well-being analysis report on your personal health.

Having developed numerous mobile apps for health, we know that success comes with an engaging user experience. So, if you’re looking to launch a mHealth app or want to know more about mobile health technology, feel free to contact us. We will be delighted to help you!

FAQs

Q. What is a mHealth app?

A. mHealth apps are digital tools healthcare organizations provide to enhance patient engagement and streamline healthcare services. These apps enable patients to connect with doctors, schedule appointments, pay bills, and manage their medical records from their mobile devices. By offering these conveniences, mHealth apps aim to improve the overall patient experience and health outcomes. They also facilitate better communication between patients and healthcare providers, ensuring timely and effective care. As a result, custom mHealth app development is becoming an integral part of modern healthcare delivery.

Q. What are a few examples of mHealth apps?

A. Some examples of popular mHealth apps include Mayo Clinic, which offers comprehensive medical information and appointment scheduling, and Headspace, which provides mental health and meditation guidance. MyFitnessPal is another well-known app that allows the users to track their diet while adhering to an exercise regime. YouComm is another mHealth app that facilitates communication between hospital patients and staff. These examples of m-Health app development undertaken by various healthcare firms highlight the diverse functionalities and benefits that mHealth solutions offer to users, ranging from medical information to mental well-being and fitness tracking.

Q. How long does it take to build mHealth apps?

A. On average, mobile health application development can take  between three months to one year, depending on the complexity and features included in the app.

For instance, developing a basic app with appanywhereointment scheduling and patient portals could feasibly be completed within a timeframe of 3 to 6 months. However, the inclusion of advanced functionalities such as AI-driven symptom assessment tools, compatibility with wearable technology for live health data monitoring, and the implementation of secure video conferencing capabilities for telemedicine consultations would significantly extend the development period to 12 or 14 months, on average.

Q. How much does it cost to develop a mHealth app?

A. The cost to develop a health app can vary significantly based on several factors, including the app’s complexity, feature set, development team’s location, and the platforms (iOS, Android, or both). Typically, the cost ranges from $40,000 to $300,000 or more.

Q. What are the regulatory and compliance requirements for m-health app development?

A. When developing and launching a mHealth app, it is crucial to consider regulatory and compliance requirements to meet legal and safety standards. In the U.S., apps handling protected health information must comply with HIPAA, providing data encryption, secure authentication, and proper data handling. For apps targeting EU users, GDPR compliance is essential, requiring explicit user consent, data anonymization, and user access to data. Additionally, apps that function as medical devices may need to comply with regulations like the FDA’s guidelines in the U.S. or the EU’s Medical Device Regulation (MDR). Adhering to these regulations helps avoid legal issues and builds user trust by prioritizing privacy and data security.

THE AUTHOR

Amardeep Rawat

Co-Founder and Director