The global pandemic contributed a lot to the development of healthcare, with the major shift marked by the booming demand for telehealth software platforms and remote consultations. While its peak occurred in 2020, the aftermath can be seen years later. People have found a convenient tool for managing their health via specialized apps, and the domain has never been the same ever since.
What factors contribute to this trend? How will patients’ demands change over time? Let’s explore all that just now!
E-visits are a part of healthcare of the future
E-visits, also known as telehealth consultations, have surged in popularity following the COVID-19 pandemic. Then, scheduling a traditional in-person visit for yourself became incredibly challenging with all the lockdowns and social distancing measures in place.
COVID-19 highlighted a strong and growing demand for highly functional and inclusive telehealth software solutions, such as video conferencing, secure messaging, and electronic sharing of medical documents. Simultaneously, the pandemic shed light on one big issue — unfortunately, not all software for remote consultations is feature-rich and user-friendly.
Convenience is another big advantage that e-visits bring to healthcare and something millions have been waiting for. Whether you are at home, on vacation, or on a business trip, healthcare software is always at your fingertips, so you can reach out to your doctor without weeks of waiting and hours of commuting.
The growing demand for telehealth is understandable. Patients are looking for reliable software solutions that:
- Allow to easily schedule medical appointments
- Enable easy communication with healthcare providers
- Be secure and HIPAA-compliant
- Help to manage prescribed medications
- Facilitate remote patient monitoring
Digitalization as a factor of influence
COVID-19 was not the only factor of impact on telehealth though. Internet, or best to say, internet expenditure, is another big factor that has been driving the adoption of patient portals. People living in remote rural areas have always faced significant barriers in terms of accessing healthcare due to distance and limited local resources.
With the invention of the internet and its rapid geographical development, the barriers are diminishing. That’s why rural populations are the ones who are benefiting from telehealth therapy software the most. Besides enhanced access to healthcare, such platforms and apps promote health equity as they work towards ensuring that remote communities get the same level of care as those living in urban areas.
What do patients expect from telehealth software today?
The demands and expectations of users evolve as telehealth software systems become more and more widespread. Generic platforms that are forcefully limited to function only with one single health organization don’t fly anymore. Only telehealth software development with robust integration capabilities does.
One of the vital integrations includes telehealth solutions and EHR/EMR systems. Seamless and secure data flow between the systems enables faster and more accurate diagnostics, more personalized care, and better medical outcomes. That is why medical records are at the heart of any remote care software.
Technically speaking, integration involves using multiple APIs to pull data from disparate systems to gather everything into a single, cohesive view. The data, such as:
- Lab results
- Prescription records
- Visit summaries
- Radiology results
- Data from wearables
- Treatment plans
- Medication prescriptions
Software for telehealth can present information in an accessible and understandable manner only with effective data exchange and a user-friendly interface.
Another level of interoperability
As for now, many are disappointed with the interoperability level of their telehealth software. They demand for their platforms to communicate and share information across different healthcare providers and systems.
The solution is not just the implementation of standardized protocols such as HL7 (Health Level Seven) or FHIR (Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources).
The integration of multi-purpose APIs, together with the adherence to strict data governance policies for secure and accurate information transfer, may be that solution. The task is far from easy, partly because it must be done all while maintaining compatibility with various EHR systems.
Freedom to customizable features
Today, users expect outstanding functionality and personalization features from every software solution, from messaging apps to eCommerce stores. That is also true for telehealth software solutions — as tailored patient experience results in more precise treatment, better care outcomes, and more patient-doctor trust.
Personalization and customization here mean:
- Customizable interface
- Adjustable appointment reminders
- Individualized health advice
- Diverse communication channels
Thankfully, with the help of seasoned developers, telehealth software providers have all the opportunities to meet that demand. If using user preferences is something they’ve been leveraging for quite some time now, machine learning algorithms bring new possibilities to the table, making it possible to provide even more relevant health insights and accurate recommendations.
Telehealth software users want to be in control of their data and environment. They want their dashboards to be designed using modular components they can later play with, let’s say, by adjusting to display the information most relevant to them. Or, they want to choose what kind of notifications to receive via email and SMS.
These features and AI-driven technologies enhance user engagement, improve adherence to medical advice, and make the general quality of care way better. The fact that people desire their software to give a feeling that it’s made just for them corresponds with the increased demand for custom healthcare development. Custom solutions have proved that they benefit both healthcare providers and patients.
What trends shape the development of telehealth solutions?
These 4 trends are shaping the future of patient portal solutions the most:
- Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning. Predictive analytics for personalized health recommendations driven by technology will continue to enhance telehealth software solutions even further.
- Blockchain Technology. Cyber threats become more dangerous as the world goes online. The use of blockchain to secure medical records and other sensitive data is inevitable.
- Improved Telehealth. Better integration of telehealth platforms with other systems is the only way to give patients a one-stop solution for virtual healthcare needs. EHRs, billing systems, and practice management software are just a few of the examples.
- Mobile Accessibility. The number of users who prefer an on-the-go approach to managing various areas of their lives continues to grow. Making telehealth solutions to be fully functional on mobile devices is the new norm.
Final Thought
Patient demands will continue to evolve as the user base of e-visit platforms grows bigger. Telehealth software for doctors, on the other hand, has also become more advanced. Healthcare providers must be aware of the latest trends and invest in solutions that will remain relevant, convenient for patients and doctors, as well as adaptable for the future.
