Enterprise-level healthcare faces a problem. We’re living in a world where everyone wants access to applications that improve their day to day lives - but what about patients, hospital staff and other healthcare-affiliated workers? A one-size-fits-all application wouldn’t be detailed enough to satisfy the varying needs of the many divergent branches of healthcare.
This is where Low-Code comes in. It provides a platform to develop unique, fit-for-purpose applications quickly and efficiently. Everyone from patients to oncologists to care workers can access a digital tool that improves their care experience or their ability to provide that experience.
So how exactly does Low-Code work for healthcare? We’ll answer that question in this blog.
- Low-Code for healthcare: The business case
- Using Low-Code in healthcare settings
- How to choose a Low-Code platform
Low-Code for healthcare: The business case
The rising number of people of all ages using smartphones to connect, communicate, find information and solve problems has risen dramatically over the last decade. Similarly, people are also more informed about things that directly affect them and decidedly more health-conscious than ever.
During illness or treatment, people want to experience convenient healthcare options and tools to make their experience better.
To create apps that truly satisfy healthcare professionals and their patients’ needs, they need developing in-house, considering the myriad of nuances that apply to each use-case. When an app is created, this use-case could be completely unique. For example, for patients, it might mean managing:
- Medical conditions
- Hospital visits
- Fitness goals
- Prescriptions
Imagine an App that tracks the usage, backlog and prescription cadence of drugs. Over the past year, patients have not been able to see doctors in person and are looking for feedback on the symptoms they’re experiencing. Similarly, many new drugs have been introduced to markets and demand levels have varied greatly.
In a scenario like this, we have multiple users who all require differences interfaces and data outputs. For example, some will want the data processed prior to interfacing with it - GPs, patients, drug sales reps, pharmaceutical R&D departments… the list goes on.
What this entails is a whole suite of multiple apps that feed into similar databases with vastly different levels of access. Healthcare organisations require app development capabilities that allows them to build this suite, with components that could be reused across individual applications.
Many healthcare organisations will have a good internal development team, but the issue is they’re probably time-poor, dealing with other big-picture problems that take up their immediately-available time. App development through traditional coding takes a lot of time and effort; demands that healthcare is simply too busy to meet. This means that, by and far, healthcare organisations will still rely on older technology.
The answer to these issues lies in Low-Code.
Using Low-Code in healthcare settings
Low-Code application platforms allow for applications to be developed in a much quicker time than conventional coding methods. Setup and training times are far reduced and users don’t need extensive coding knowledge to use Low-Code.
Many healthcare settings already have development teams that can use code, so you may be curious why Low-Code would be needed in these circumstances. You’re right; traditional coding is still highly relevant and provides the highest level of control. However, think back to the challenges healthcare professionals face - apps that take an age to develop and don’t necessarily cover all of the requirements healthcare professionals need.
Low-Code steps up by drastically reducing project timelines for developers, meaning apps can be delivered to doctors, patients and other staff members in record times. On a related note, those apps can be developed to closer align with the needs of healthcare professionals who can collaborate with developers in a development platform that’s far easier to understand. No messing around with complex lines of code for hours upon end.
Using a visual development approach, it’s much simpler to see how apps will work for healthcare professionals and patients, meaning developers have less chance of missing out on that crucial UI feature representing the difference between a fit-for-purpose app and something difficult to use. Pre-built drag-and-drop components mean the all-important speed healthcare needs is practically guaranteed.
However, Low-Code doesn’t do away with hand-code altogether. Rather, the main bulk of an app can be developed using pre-built components, but developers can still use hand-code to create bespoke requirements for the organisation or department’s needs.
The relative speed through which all this can be achieved means the go-live date doesn’t need to keep getting pushed back.
How to choose a Low-Code platform
In a healthcare setting, applications must be developed with security, privacy and compliance in mind. The Low-Code platform must allow for a great amount of flexibility to satisfy the differing requirements of specialists and clinicians.
From the perspective of healthcare executives, Low-Code provides a real chance to develop quickly and accurately. So what should they look for in a Low-Code development platform?
- Scalability:Apps can be built across existing tech stacks and reuse pre-approved components. Enterprise Low-Code platforms offer commercial models that suit scale, meaning they only charge for the platform itself - not everytime you need to develop an app.
- Security: Healthcare organisations deal with a vast amount of sensitive data. The legislation they have to remain compliant with varies depending on the jurisdiction they reside in. For example, in Europe, there's GDPR and in the US, HIPAA. All platforms need to create apps that can securely store, handle and exchange data.
- Ease of use: A Low-Code development platform shouldn’t be too complex if healthcare professionals and other sector stakeholders will use it. The platform should provide vital features and capabilities in a very user-friendly manner.
- Useful features & capabilities: These could be portability, mobile support, interoperability and seamless integration with other systems.
Additionally, one of the best things to look for is a Low-Code development partner who can actively support, educate and problem-solve for healthcare organisations to develop apps properly and upskill users on Low-Code capabilities.
Here at Unipro, we work to provide our clients with the abilities to:
- Accelerate the pace of innovation.
- Upskill non-technical team members.
- Integrate real-time data and legacy software.
We understand you’re probably looking for the information to help you decide on which Low-Code development platform to use. With our many years of knowledge and experience, we’ve developed the answer...
The Low-Code comparison guide for enterprise businesses
Faster innovation. Rapid application development. Lower cost of ownership. Digital transformation. Legacy integration. These are all things Low-Code provides for the enterprise-level business.
Low-Code can be invaluable for healthcare institutions, cutting costs and speeding up the creation of mission-critical tools both internal and external stakeholders can benefit from.
But there remains the question: Which platform do you choose? In our guide, we cover the five top-performing development platforms and the benefits of Low-Code, so you can discover what suits your needs best.
Click the button below now to gain access to these insights.
