7 Healthcare App Development Trends to Follow In 2024

Humankind has always launched ways to expand its lifespan. In the earlier decades, the expected life expectancy was close to 68. Modern medicine is progressing with time, and we have successfully 73 years in most parts of the world.

The quest to find a cure against every virus, every medical condition, and everything that can shrink your lifespan has been taking place. Artificial intelligence and the Internet is backing our generation. We’ve seen the transfer of information happening from days to minutes seconds. 

Access to medicine and healthcare professionals has been one of the biggest challenges in the past, and we’ve been overcoming it with the latest technological upgrades in the field of medicine. However, this has posed a new challenge for us; while there are many good healthcare facilities in metro cities, the access to doctors is decreasing (unless you are willing to pay a higher price and go to boutique hospitals). In rural areas, the lack of adequate medical facilities is the main pain point.

Much research has focused on easing and enhancing humanity’s livelihood. Some of the most notable tech companies in Silicon Valley are also diverting their resources towards the betterment of health.

Notably, Sam Altman invested $180 million into a company called Retro Biosciences, which is on the mission of adding 10 years to the average human lifespan. Industry veteran Bryan Johnson has started Bryan Johnson’s Blueprint, an anti-aging that costs a hefty $2 million dollars per year!

The quest for Human longevity is a continuous progression. It will continue to progress and add new dynamics to this journey. With the increase in smartphone usage, the Healthcare app market has also been rising. Many healthcare app development trends have taken the market by storm. Let’s dive deeper to understand the emerging opportunities in this sector.

Healthcare App Development Market Analysis

The app market worldwide is close to $522 billion at present and will cross $670 billion by 2027. This continuously increasing demand for smartphones and users has opened many avenues into Health and Fitness apps. 

Many companies are focusing on enhancing different aspects of health and creating apps that target the well-being of individuals, such as Calm – which focuses on mental well-being, and My Fitness Pal  – which focuses on physical well-being. Plum focuses on teleconsultation, while Practo works as a classified portal for doctors. 

There are many other examples of companies targeting and working towards different healthcare app development trends. The market of healthcare applications is closer to $6 billion dollars in 2024 and is expected to cross $12 billion in the upcoming 3 years. This leaves a huge gap wide open for newcomers in the market.

The Key Drivers of Healthcare App Development

Increased Number of Smartphone users

More than 4.88 billion people are using smartphones at present, Which shows that mobile devices are a major catalyst for healthcare applications. Smartphone users are able to access health information easily. There is a huge opportunity among entrepreneurs to create solutions that can help the broader population.

COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic has increased the habit of relying on IT solutions rather than stepping outside. New services such as lab testing at home, online health checkups, and remote monitoring have now been adopted widely.

Wearable Gadgets

As people are getting more conscious about their health, the market for wearable healthcare gadgets has increased. Nowadays, you’ll almost always wear a fitness belt, fitness watch, heart monitoring ring, or glucose patch. These gadgets make it easy for us to track our health.

Market Segments

The segments of the market in healthcare app development can be differentiated on multiple levels, as given below.

Application Types

There are many types of applications available in the market, including disease management, health enhancers, telemedicine, medication information, etc. There are still many more avenues that can be explored and worked upon.

Platforms

There are two main mobile operating systems available today: iOS and Android. iOS was developed and maintained by Apple, often referred to as the pioneer of smartphones, while Google acquired Android. Depending on the country you want to enter, you can develop your app.

End-user

The end-user of healthcare health and fitness applications can be anyone, depending on which category you are targeting, from patients to fitness enthusiasts to those who are just starting their journey of well-being.

Region

The market share of healthcare applications depends on the region that you are targeting. The USA and Europe have higher numbers of people with access to smartphones and the Internet. Also, the per capita is much higher compared to developing countries.

Top 7 Healthcare App Development Trends to Rule in 2024

The healthcare industry is undergoing a revolution, transforming the way patients, fitness enthusiasts, and healthcare providers interact and manage their healthcare data. Healthcare mobile app development focused on health and fitness are changing the way solutions have been offered traditionally. As we navigate into 2024, several key sectors are emerging and are destined to rule the world of healthcare app development trends.

GLP-1

The renowned professor of marketing, Scott Galloway, has predicted GLP 1 Drugs will be the next big thing for the year 2024. The class 2 type of drug, which improves blood-sugar levels, was primarily designed keeping in mind a cure for diabetic patients. 

The effects of Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) stimulate the insulin secretion in response to meals. The drug reduces the appetite, which helps individuals feel full for a longer period. Apps that are interconnected with patches that stick with the body can provide continuous glucose monitoring. 

AI in Healthcare – Personalized Caretaker and psychiatrist for everyone

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has surprised the world. The rise of Open AI’s ChatGPT and Google’s Gemini has spurred the AI war. When it comes to healthcare, AI’s capabilities are unmatched in analyzing large amounts of data and making predictive analyses. If you are trying to come up with an idea for a mobile application and wondering later on how to sell an app idea that focuses on AI, you are in luck.

Personalized medications and tailored treatments with profiles generated by AI will guide patients. The virtual assistants can provide round-the-clock assistance, answer health queries and schedule appointments. There is a huge scope to create applications that provide personalized guidance related to health.

IoT in Healthcare

The Internet of Things (IoT) is revolutionizing how medical data is collected, processed and utilized. IoT interconnects the Internet and sensors to gather data from individuals. Being one of the top healthcare app development trends in 2024, IoT impacts multiple aspects of healthcare delivery.

Wearable Devices such as fitness trackers, smartwatches, and blood pressure monitoring devices that can provide real-time information and transmit the data to doctors will be in high demand. IoT-enabled specialized medical devices in hospitals for improved safety for patient care, e.g. Wheelchair tracking and IV pumps, will also increase in demand.

Blockchain in Healthcare

Blockchain technology is popular for powering famous cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum. The decentralized approach of blockchain can also offer multiple benefits in the healthcare app development market. The most important advantage of the blockchain tech is the data security. 

Unlike traditional structures, blockchain stores ledgers to ensure the accuracy of data using multiple points; this temper-proof method is crucial for maintaining data integrity. Blockchain can also facilitate seamless interoperability between different systems.

AR and VR

Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) are advancing and finding significant applications in healthcare. These technologies are able to play a huge role, specifically in training new-age medical professionals. VR is able to create simulated environments to create realistic scenarios for medical students.

AR can help doctors during surgical procedures by providing a 3D map of a patient’s anatomy along with required data. This real-time overlay can improve the precision and reduce the risk of complications. Multiple healthcare providers can also collaborate to perform the same procedure.

Mental Health Applications

Mental health applications are becoming increasingly popular in the healthcare landscape. The new age companies are developing cost-efficient and sometimes AI-driven mobile applications that help individuals in tough times. AI algorithms can analyze user data to provide personalized content and educational material. 

Applications that are based on community support groups and anonymous sharing also offer a safe passage for people to share their struggle stories and receive encouragement.

Healthcare Data Analytics

New-age companies like Innovaccer are entering the market to help healthcare organizations bring the entire patient’s data into a centralized platform. This allows hospitals and clinics to get a complete view of each patient’s history. The data analytics in healthcare has a huge market. 

Healthcare institutions aim to provide seamless care to patients.  Tools such as health calculators can help patients calculate the entire cost of their healthcare expenses. 

Impact of Mobile Apps on the Healthcare Industry

The advent of mobile applications has transformed the healthcare industry, driving significant improvements. Healthcare mobile applications have increased overall efficiency and health outcomes.

Improved Access to Healthcare Services

Mobile applications have improved access to healthcare services, allowing patients to consult with doctors and other healthcare providers remotely. People living in rural areas can leverage this highly.

Enhanced Patient Engagement

Wearable devices gather data the entire time, and their metrics can be used to enhance patient care. Applications can be built that remind patients to take medications in a timely manner. Based on users’ data, apps can create personalized health plans that suit them.

Streamline Clinical Workflow

Mobile access to electronic health records allows healthcare providers to retrieve and update data and patient information in a timely manner. Collaboration tools within mobile apps can foster easy communication between patients and doctors.

Patient Education

Mobile applications provide a wealth of information on various subjects. The Internet is filled with a lot of generic information, and finding one particular piece of information gets hard at times. Specialized Apps with the specific aim of educating are more specialized and effective.

Data Collection

Mobile applications collect a wealth of information. Healthcare professionals can then use this information. Conducting research studies and analyzing health trends can be easier using data collection via smartphone applications.

Cost Reduction

Remote consultations are comparatively cheaper than traveling to a doctor and visiting. Reduction in hospital visits lowers healthcare costs and promotes preventive care. 

Advantages of Mobile Technology in the Healthcare Industry

Mobile Phones have streamlined patient care and improved overall health outcomes. The integration of mobile phones and applications offers many key advantages.

Health Tracking

Mobile applications and wearable devices allow patients to access their vital signs and physical activity, including sleep patterns. Getting access to all these insights lets patients improve their overall health status.

Improved Access to Care

Telemedicine and the 24/7 online availability of healthcare providers have eased the burden on doctors. Patients can now get access to world-class physicians with just a single tap.

Clinical Decision Making

Applications equipped with clinical decision support systems are able to provide evidence-based recommendations, alerts and guidance at the point of care. Healthcare professionals can access the latest medical research and guidelines in their mobile application to stay updated about their field.

Better Chronic Dieses Management

Continuous monitoring allows devices to track chronic conditions such as diabetes, hypertension and asthma. Timely intervention in these diseases can save someone’s life. Patients can also receive real-time feedback and support through their mobile applications.

Conclusion

Healthcare is going through a remarkable transformation. Mobile phone applications have started being developed just a few years ago, and yet it has blasted and covered the world entirely in its color. In the future, the world of healthcare applications will continue to thrive. 

Mobile applications are bridging the gap between healthcare providers and patients located in remote areas. The new world as we see it today will have far fewer health-related concerns and more advanced methodologies that expand our lifespan. 

The ongoing advancements will continue to evolve in a quest to provide high-quality personal care. 

If you have an idea and want to get your healthcare app developed, we can guide you further in this journey. Contact us today to discuss the scope of your idea and let’s move ahead together!