Today, patient experience is taking the centre stage in healthcare industry as patients are actively taking participation in their own health and well-being. Patients today expect more from the healthcare organisations in terms of access, convenience, and control. Healthcare institutions are also making their services more patient-centric keeping these points in mind. At the heart of this patient-centric services lies mobile apps, revolutionising the way hospitals interact with patients. It would be safe to say, the future of healthcare is not just digital, but it is mobile-first. Infact, 54% of patients have expressed the desire to take a more dramatic shift from regular office appointments towards mobile interactions. So, as a healthcare app development services company we suggest if you aren’t taking steps towards creating mobile apps to engage patients, you might be giving them more reasons to drift apart from your hospital. Let us understand how mobile apps are creating a shift in this segment through this blog.
Mobile Apps: The Non-Negotiable
Let us first understand why mobile apps have become a non-negotiable for your healthcare strategy. There are many facets to this, but it boils down to 2 main reasons
- Patients today don’t trust healthcare providers with their personal information given the number of data breaches that are occurring in the healthcare sector. They want to keep their personal information in a more secure and controlled manner. Hence, the shift towards mobile apps is there.
- Traditional methods to engage customers won’t cut in anymore. Your customers are on mobile phones today and that’s where you should be. If you are still using brochures and follow-up email, your communication will likely be in their spam folder rather than where it should be.
And as a mobile app development company, we have seen this happen with our clients, when patients are in control, it simply translates into better engagement, better compliance and higher satisfaction. Furthermore, it saves your resources and time which can be utilised for better purposes. Because when a patient knows what is going on they are more likely to follow their treatment. Imagine if a patient refers your hospital in their social circle just because of that amazing app of yours. It ultimately impacts the bottom line of the business.
Eliminating the Accessibility Barrier
One of the major advantages of mobile applications in healthcare is the accessibility to the healthcare services they provide to the end customers. Today, convenience is the new currency in healthcare, and if you are not offering it, customers don’t care about your services. Mobile apps are facilitating this accessibility of care which was not there earlier and kept patients disconnected. Today, patients can book their appointments through mobile apps, access their medical records with a tap, and even consult the doctors through a video call all because of healthcare app development services that focus on patient care.
Furthermore, this transparency and access of information also builds trust. When patients have information regarding the doctors who are consulting, their expertise and their experience they won’t shy away from taking a remote consulting too. This adds as a channel of income for your hospital as with multiple requests you can monetise your services via. a mobile app.
Killing the communication gap
Communication has always been a problem with healthcare institutes. Missed calls, confusing voicemails and unread messages add up to the communication gap between the hospitals and the patient. Imagine you have sent across an important email to your patient regarding a follow-up they are having after a treatment. However, due to their work it gets lost in the ocean of mails. This adds to the frustration and ultimately affecting the patient engagement. A major issue that can result because of this, is poor health outcomes, increase patient readmissions and a damaged reputation in the long run.
Mobile applications eliminate this issue by automating the communication process to the patients through by adding automatic reminders and messages on your behalf. It’s clear, smart, and effective. The patient can get in touch with the healthcare services anytime, anywhere. This heightens the level of engagement for your patients and a game-changer for your healthcare institute. As a mobile app development company, we suggest jumping to mobile apps before there is a tint on your reputation.
Trust is everything!
Patients are handing over their most sensitive information to healthcare institutions. One cyber incident and they might not trust you again with their bank details or National Insurance Number (NI number). A mobile app with up-to-date security endorses that you are capable enough to keep their information intact. By taking the expertise of a mobile app development company, you can develop a mobile app that adheres to the security requirements like data encryption, secure storage, advanced access control and compliance standards such as GDPR and HIPAA.
A secure mobile app acts like a partner for your business. When customers feel safe, they are likely to share more information and engage with your mobile app. This engagement translates into better health outcomes as they are more likely to follow their treatment plans, participate in healthcare monitoring and communicate openly.
Leveraging Data for Continuous Improvement
It is not a hidden fact that mobile apps continuously collect data from users. Apart from the patients’ medical information, mobile apps collect data to improve its functionality and usability. This data assists healthcare app development service companies to identify areas of improvement and innovation. Additionally, they can deliver personalised care based on the feedback received from multiple users (patients in this case) through multiple touch points.
Thus, with the help of this additional data these companies can improve the overall user experience, add new features or eliminate the ones that are not needed. By converting the data into actionable results, you can drive better outcomes for the patient and meet their evolving needs. As a result, the engagement levels remain undropped and patients satisfied
Wrapping up:
Still thinking whether you need a mobile app or not? Let’s put it this way: If you can’t provide the patients what they want, someone else will. This is not just about making sure you are using the best technology available; it is about staying ahead of your competition. But to keep up to the mark, you need a mobile app development company to help you develop a bespoke app that aligns with your services and WOWs your customers too.
And who better to take your business to that next level than WOWHeads. At Communication Crafts, we don’t just align with your vision but convert it into a reality. Our healthcare app development services ensure that we don’t just transform your healthcare business from inside out.