What Health Systems Need to Know About Custom Apps

Healthcare organizations are increasingly using mobile apps to connect with patients in the hospital and at home. Apps can be used for wayfinding on a health system’s campus, health monitoring or even to assist patients in completing physical therapy exercises. Adoption is on the rise, but who is developing these healthcare apps?

Internal app development was robust in healthcare five years ago as organizations sought to improve workflow efficiencies and the care experience. For example, apps were developed that allowed clinicians to communicate securely and that entertained patients at the bedside. Apps were also created to apply a modern interface to old internal systems.

However, more third-party vendors have come to market with health apps as the space has matured, and healthcare organizations may no longer need to develop their own apps for most purposes.