All companies providing clinical services, medical-related support, and the development of drugs or medical equipment are included in the healthcare market. It is not surprising that Medical software development is so urgently needed.
The Effect of COVID-19 on the Healthcare Industry
Every layer of society has been affected by the COVID-19 epidemic. The shockwave is also affecting the healthcare industry. The initial pandemic was a three-phase response. It consisted of three phases: respond, recovers, and then renew. The pandemic has profoundly impacted the entire healthcare system, considering the many problems it created and the current state of the economy. Staff quarantine, supply chain failures, and increased safety protocols have exacerbated hospital industry worries.
The State and Future of Healthcare Software Development
Every aspect of our lives has been transformed by information technology. Healthcare organizations also need software solutions to manage electronic medical records, medical histories, patient information, and other data. The healthcare market is experiencing unprecedented heat due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
This has led to the need to develop medical software or mobile apps that will allow healthcare organizations to provide better services. Healthcare software development is now leading a movement to convert the paper-based system to a digitized format that will ensure portability, better patient safety, and greater efficiency with electronic medical records.
Latest Trends in Healthcare Software
Software solutions have positively impacted healthcare providers, just as other sectors have. Specific trends have emerged in software development. These trends include:
Remote Monitoring and Telemetry
After the pandemic, the FDA approved remote monitoring devices. This has opened the door to future use. This technology not only assists those in urgent need of medical attention but also provides better quality and faster timeliness, allowing for streamlined medical processes. By 2025, the market share in the global healthcare telemetry market will be more than $ 27 billion.
Telemedicine
A survey of 15 major cities found that it takes 29.3 days for a new patient to make an appointment with their family doctor. Many hospitals have started telehealthcare services to improve their ability to reach patients. Telemedicine is designed to improve clinical workflow and reduce the time it takes for patients to visit the hospital unless there is an urgent situation.
Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence for Healthcare
Many healthcare providers now use artificial Intelligence to treat patients. This has helped improve the digital health situation. This technology is intended to reduce healthcare costs and minimize human error. Machine learning and artificial Intelligence have reached a large market and are expected to reach $33.1 billion by 2025. Robot-assisted surgery is one example of the use of Artificial Intelligence. Other applications include fraud detection, preliminary diagnosis, and dosage error reduction.
IoT
With the rise of telemedicine, telehealth, and IoMT development in medicine, there is also a growing interest in IoMT development. This technology combines multiple wearables, including EKG and ECG monitors, and magical measurement procedures like glucose level, blood pressure, or skin temperature. This sector can be further divided into several segments, including medication management, connected imaging, and remote patient monitoring.
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Different Types of Software for Medical Devices
Many software categories are specific to medical equipment. It is essential to define your requirements before you start a new project. The scope and technologies of medical device software development can be pretty diverse.
Most real-life projects and startups in medical equipment are looking to use a mix of technologies. Let's learn more about the main domains of software development in medical devices.
Embedded Medical Systems, and Embedded Medical Software Development
This domain encompasses low-level programming of micro-components--like microcontrollers and microchips--with microprocessors and embedded memory. All of this can be found in most healthcare equipment. These are some examples of embedded systems in medical devices that have been configured using embedded code:
- Pulse oximeters
- Electronic defibrillators.
- Smart (bio)sensors
- Automated infusion pumps.
- Glucometers
- Electronic thermometers.
- Electronic blood pressure sensors.
- Medical imaging equipment: X-ray, ECG and EEG, MRI, CT, etc.
- A wide range of laboratory equipment is available.
Embedded programming is essential for medical equipment and biomedical applications. It regulates the use of electronic components and integrates medical devices with general-purpose or non-specific software and hardware.
Although embedded system development is possible for specific medical devices, it does not require programming skills. Other projects require advanced knowledge in healthcare device engineering. Imagine what it takes for an embedded electronic system to be programmed and calibrated in a sophisticated machine such as a modern MRI scanner.
Our engineering team is well-versed in embedded systems for healthcare and laboratory equipment programming. Contact us for a consultation or free estimate on medical device programming, including biotech facilities and health-tech startups.
Software for Medical Devices (SaMD)
The medical device software development field includes all products and solutions that do not require a specific medical device. Examples include SaMD systems, which can run on any medical platform, such as laptops, desktops, and mobile devices.
This software is usually used to perform one or more functions related to:
- Visualization and representation of medical data.
- Interpretation and processing of medical data.
- Medical data storage and management.
- Specific configurations and technical diagnostics for certain medical devices.
These features can describe software as a medical device:
- SaMD is not part of any medical equipment and is not necessary for the medical device to perform its functions.
- SaMD can be run on any general-purpose computer and infrastructure.
- It can interface with specific medical devices, including their inner/embedded parts and embedded coding, to receive data from the device or manage its functionality.
Software development for medical devices, such as the SaMD concept, requires specialized skills and expertise that aren't readily available in the American market. To get qualified help with your medical device programming project, contact our experienced healthcare technology expert. We can discuss the details and provide more information about our capabilities in medical device coding. Get a free consultation today.
Software as a Medical Device (SaMD) can be used in the following ways:
- Scan analysis or patient imaging: This software analyzes patient data and finds patterns and trends that can help doctors identify subtle but essential changes in their patient's health and aid in diagnosis and treatment. This could be used to support the diagnosis and treatment of acute stroke patients. This outcome could significantly impact the treatment choice and medical intervention.
- Proper monitoring to prevent sleep apnea: An intelligent microphone can detect disturbed breathing and set the alarm to wake the person. This technology can also detect abnormal breathing patterns and alert emergency responders in case of danger. It can be used for both single- and elderly patients.
- Remote ECG monitoring: Implantable or adhesive sensors can be used remotely to monitor cardiac patients and record their heartbeat patterns. They also detect unusual or potentially life-threatening ECG patterns or events (arrhythmias, bradycardias, etc.). These should be reported immediately.
- Viewing medical data: This software allows healthcare professionals to access, view, analyze, share, record, and interpret data from specific bioelectronic devices or sensors. It includes multiple metrics such as heart rate, blood pressure, and skin temperature.
Need help Developing Custom Medical Device Software?
You are looking for a company to develop medical device software.
These areas are our expertise:
- Programming and integration of medical devices with automated lab equipment and software systems based on the most current IT interoperability standards for healthcare.
- Mobile and desktop interfaces developed for medical devices and laboratory instruments.
- Client-server applications are designed to collect, accumulate, and manage medical data from medical and laboratory equipment.
- Embedded programming to create micro-components.
- IoT and cloud solutions for healthcare systems.
We provide:
- Skilled medical technology developers.
- Project augmentation.
- Competitive project rates.
- Convenient communication channels to our customers who live in North American time zones.
The Benefits of Custom Healthcare Software Design
What's Custom Software Development?
Software development refers to creating, deploying, maintaining, and designing software for specific users, functions, or organizations. Contrary to COTS (commercial off-the-shelf), custom software development is focused on specific requirements. COTS can meet a wide range of requirements and can be packaged, commercially marketed, and distributed.
Custom Healthcare Software Development vs. off-the-shelf
There is an ongoing debate about which software is better: off-the-shelf or custom. Custom software can be tailored to meet specific customer needs. In the hospital sector, for example, the software may be designed keeping patient security and maintenance programs in mind.
This is different from custom software development. Off-the-shelf software is generally more generic, not customized, and tailored to your needs. In-house developers usually develop custom software, which is typically more expensive than other off-the-shelf products. These revolutionary technologies are quite different in terms of functionality, usability, performance, and other factors.
Although custom software healthcare development will cost more than standard products, it is possible to customize the product based on the area you are implementing. It is better to go custom than buy off-the-shelf software if your hospital software needs extensive customization.
Read More: What's the Future of Software Development in Healthcare 2023
The Benefits and Drawbacks of Custom Software Development
Here are the Benefits of Custom Software:
- This technology allows you to customize any direction, whether looking for a patient portal or mobile health records. This might be a better option than the traditional approach to healthcare software development.
- Software products that are designed to fulfill a specific purpose are highly efficient. This software is more user-friendly because it has smoother functioning.
- Software healthcare can be developed customarily to suit the environment. It is easy to customize, so you don't have to worry about technical and legal aspects.
- The software can evolve and grow within the industry.
- The best thing about being free from commercial software is the freedom from licensing and price manipulation.
Here are the Disadvantages of using Custom Software:
- It is more expensive and requires a lump sum investment.
- Before the software is developed, it is essential to properly define the business needs and determine how the healthcare application will be developed.
- Choosing the wrong software development company could waste time and money.
Why is Outsourcing Custom Healthcare Software Development Better?
Global Outsourcing Survey by Deloitte found that 72% of companies prefer software development outsourcing over in-house development. Here are some reasons why:
- Cost efficiency: Quartz published a study that found 46% of startups will fail due to exhaustion in monetary funds. This is unlikely if you hire offshore developers. There will be no overhead costs such as payroll, office space, vacations, or insurance benefits. You will also be able to use these funds to create the most critical domains. However, offshore developers charge much less for mobile app development or website creation than western countries. This makes it more affordable.
- Global professionals and the most recent talent are available to you: It is possible to connect with professionals worldwide, especially in healthcare. Offshore professionals can provide diversifying skills and talent for those without expertise in a particular area of the healthcare industry.
- Focus on core business processes: You can focus your energy and time on activities that are genuinely beneficial to your company rather than on other activities to develop or polish your team's talent. You don't have to give them a lot of training and briefings if you hire offshore medical software developers. They are already highly skilled and competent in this field. Instead, you can use this time to develop essential hospital resources.
- You will be more productive and save time: You can also use offshore professionals to increase your website and healthcare app development productivity. This will help you save time. You won't have to invest in additional training or skill development as these developers already have the necessary skills. This means you won't have to waste time on HR and practice that can be used for development.
- Flexibility: It can be challenging to manage an in-house team. Flexibility is a critical requirement in software development services. Outsourcing developers can be more flexible and available in large numbers, so you can collaborate with the ones that meet your needs.
Cost to Hire a Healthcare Software Developer in other Countries
A skilled programmer with many years of experience will cost you an average of $103,620 annually. This is especially true in the healthcare sector. The average salary for a software developer in the United States is $103,620 annually. According to Indeed.com, the average hourly wage for software engineers in Western Europe is $56 in Germany, $82 in France, and $71 in the UK.
These options can be costly and require a significant investment. You can find affordable alternatives by looking at the rates for healthcare engineers in different parts of the globe. This will help you to identify the best destinations for software outsourcing. These include China, Taiwan, Vietnam, Ukraine, and many other countries. These software engineers earn almost twice as much as their western counterparts. The average salary for a Ukrainian healthcare software developer is $37.
These are the average hourly rates of software and application development in other areas:
Eastern Europe
- Ukraine: $37
- Belarus: $28
- Bulgaria: $34
- Croatia: $25
- Czech Republic: $34
- Hungary: $39
- Poland: $40
Latin America :
- Bolivia: $30
- Brazil: $40
- Costa Rica: $40
- Chile: $50
- Mexico: $55
- Peru: $35
Asia:
- Bangladesh: $25
- China: $25
- India: $30
- Malaysia: $30
- Nepal: $25
- Philippines: $25
- Sri Lanka: $25
Africa:
- Egypt: $20
- Kenya: $20
- Morocco: $20
- Nigeria: $40
- South Africa: $40
Tips for Sourcing Remote Healthcare Software Developers
- Hire outsourced service providers with a track record: Check their ranking on sites like Clutch. You can also search for their LinkedIn profile to find clients they have worked with. You can also contact former clients to get honest reviews.
- Could you get to know their process? Learn how they communicate with clients and assign developers to projects. You should consider your team's flexibility and only hire them if their workflow is compatible with yours.
- Verify their accessibility to the most recent codes: Sometimes, a developer might refuse to release a principle because of a personal conflict. Before participating in the project, ensure full access to the code.
- If the quote is too low, you can reject it: It would help if you always prioritize patient care over cheap quotes. Quality can be determined by how much money you spend. You may have to spend more if the code has to be rewritten.
- Ensure you are satisfied with the team's willingness to work with you: You must ensure that your requirements have been met. It is possible that a developer will not agree to all of your requirements. This could be a sign that they haven't read through your requirements. It is essential to consider the unique skills of the developer before you hire them to build your website.
- Use a project management tool: Keeping in touch with an offshore developer will be easier.
- Always insist on receiving updates. Always ask developers for demos and up-to-date information.
- Get involved with the team: This will allow you to stay on top of developments in your project.
Why Hire Dedicated Healthcare Software Developers?
Offshore developers are plentiful. It would help if you made the right choice when choosing an offshore developer for healthcare solutions. These are the top reasons.
- A diverse group of software developers to choose from. We offer many developers that are not available through traditional agencies.
- No more overhead costs or recruitment fees. The vendor dev shop is charged a commission. The platform is free to clients. You only need to pay for the development service. This offshore development service is transparent and the best you can find.
- Only dev shops that have been through a multi-stage screening process are selected. Before they are handed to clients, this is how their reliability and worth are assessed. To ensure the best possible results, each team is carefully selected. To ensure high quality, engineers are subject to tests while they are being picked up. This vetting process will ensure you get the best (customized) healthcare management systems.
- Scalable Team Startup projects are known for constantly evolving scopes, especially during the MVP stage. This is taken care of by our clients, who can scale their teams according to the requirements and number of developers they require.
Wrap up
Healthcare software development is essential. The current outbreak of the COVID-19 virus means that the health department needs to digitize the healthcare system while keeping all health data intact.
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Because of their many advantages, custom software development will be more cost-effective than off-the-shelf products. Regarding talent and skills, offshore developers are more cost-effective than in-house staff and can bring a lot to the table. Cyber Infrastructure Inc. is the best place to find the most talented offshore software developers for medical software development.
