Understanding Agile: What is it?
Agile is a software development life cycle methodology that prioritizes flexibility in the development process to easily adapt to any roadblocks or changes in the project. The Agile software development process was founded by a group of software pioneers who were determined to find a modern approach to software development.
When using the Agile approach to software development, the work is completed in iterated cycles known as sprints since they usually last two to four weeks. This allows project leads to track the progress of the project and gives the client an accurate timeline. It also equips project management with the ability to make changes to the product or requirements throughout the development process.
The Agile methodology’s success depends on regular communication among teams. Since the teams will be working in sprints, daily check-ins and status updates will be crucial to keeping on track. Having a team full of effective communicators will go a long way in the success of the project.
Exploring the Constraints of Agile Methodology
As mentioned earlier, the Agile methodology heavily relies on communication to produce a successful product. Depending on the project’s scope and management style, this can include multiple status meetings and check-ins over an instant messaging platform throughout the day. If this doesn’t sound like an environment your team could be successful in, then the Agile method might not be the right approach for your project.
While the flexibility of Agile software development can be an effective way to manage a project, it can also result in a volatile working environment. When the development team hits a roadblock or there is an issue with the software that takes multiple days to resolve, the project can get off schedule. This can result in a stressful work environment where features are regularly being delivered late, making it difficult for developers and testers to complete their work on time.
Benefits of Utilizing Agile Development Methodology in Telehealth Applications
Knowing the basics of the Agile method, let’s take a look at how it can benefit the project teams when developing a telehealth app.
Better Quality of Development
The quality of the final product is typically higher when the Agile approach is used because of the iterative cycles. Agile software development will work in sprints, meaning the code is continuously being developed and tested throughout the project’s life cycle. By testing from the moment the first set of code is written, the final product will be thoroughly tested for bugs before the telehealth application is delivered to the client.
Responsiveness
Since communication is a crucial element of Agile software development, project management will be able to provide clients with real-time updates on the project. Project leads can schedule regular meetings with the client to ensure the client stays updated on the timeline and confusion on the requirements that may impact the development process.
Flexibility in Project Scope
Because Agile works in sprints that last less than a month, changes to the telehealth app can be made throughout the development process without completely derailing the project’s scope. While changes to the project after development has begun are not ideal, healthcare organizations are susceptible to required business changes to stay in compliance to protect their data.
Adherence to Regulatory Requirements
The healthcare industry handles sensitive patient data and is required to put in certain security measures to protect it. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) has regulations in place that must be considered during the telemedicine app development process. With the Agile method, healthcare organizations can ensure security is included in every aspect of their telehealth app.
Improved Risk Handling for Healthcare Data
When developing telemedicine software that fits the unique needs of a specific organization, the data can be better protected. The data collected and stored in the telemedicine app can depend on the medical services offered, and the telemedicine app development process should account for that. Agile software development allows healthcare providers to give input on how data would be entered into the telemedicine app, which provides insight into how the data will be protected.
How to Set up an Agile Development Procedure for Telemedicine Apps
Before deciding to use the Agile approach for telehealth app development, take a look at the different steps for a successful product and see if it’s right for the project.
Designing the Project Plan
An effective and realistic plan is the key to a successful project. The project leaders will work with the client throughout the planning process to determine how the telehealth app will function. This can include requirements, workflows, user permissions, and offered telemedicine services.
Crafting UI/UX Design Prototypes
Once the planning phase is wrapped up, the software development company will work with the client to determine how they would like the telehealth app to look. The project team will create mockups of the healthcare software to present to the client so they can make any changes. This process will continue until the client is satisfied with the design to minimize the chances of design changes during the telehealth software development process.
Product Development
With all the requirements written out and the design mockups approved, the telehealth app development process can begin. This phase will typically take the most amount of time since this is when the telehealth software is being built. Throughout the telehealth software development phase, project leads will communicate progress with the client and ensure the project is staying on schedule.
Running Tests
The testing phase of the telehealth software development process is when the telehealth software is meticulously tested to identify any bugs and report them to the development team. The telemedicine software will be repeatedly tested until no bugs are identified to ensure a seamless user experience. Testing is performed throughout the project’s life cycle as code is delivered to ensure they’re resolved with plenty of time before deployment.
Product Delivery and Maintenance
In some cases, deploying the telehealth app will be the last step in the development process. Depending on the company, this can include pushing the product live, training employees on the new processes, and supporting testing efforts in the live environment.
Some software development companies will also include maintenance services after the telehealth app is live. This can include resolving any bugs identified by users, making updates to the workflow, and updating user permissions based on updated security requirements. With the constantly-changing healthcare industry, becoming a long-term partner with a software development company can simplify any future telehealth app development efforts.
Potential Hurdles in Agile Development for Telemedicine
Telemedicine app development is a complex project, and development teams are bound to run into challenges and potential roadblocks. Here are some of the challenges project leads should keep in mind throughout the early stages of planning.
UX/UI Implementation
Telemedicine apps are typically utilized by providers and patients, making it difficult to keep the style and experience consistent. The functionalities will be different based on the type of user accessing the telehealth app, so the user experience and interface will need to be built differently.
Building a single telemedicine platform that caters to patients and providers while following a seamless design and experience will be a hurdle for project teams. It will be important for the client and project leads to work together to design a cohesive telehealth app that caters to the providers and patients.
Backend Infrastructure Setup
A challenge developers can expect to encounter in telemedicine software development is setting up the backend infrastructure to exchange data between the patient and provider apps successfully. Since the data being exchanged is sensitive health information, the protocols must completely comply with HIPAA regulations.
Security
Data security is a crucial component of telemedicine software, and patients must be confident that their sensitive, personal information will be safe in the telehealth app. Some security measures that can be implemented include multi-factor authentication, role-based access control, and biometric identification. As mentioned before, the backend integration approach will also impact how secure the data storage and exchange are.
Ensuring Compliance with Healthcare Laws
Since telehealth apps handle patient data, every aspect of the software should consider HIPAA regulations. HIPAA regulations are in place to protect patient and organizational data in the healthcare industry. Software developers must prioritize compliance as telemedicine software is included in the healthcare system.
Employing Dependable App Developers
Like with any software development project, having a team of developers who can be depended on to build quality software and meet deadlines is critical. Depending on the size of the telemedicine software development teams, having one developer that underperforms can impact the team as a whole. Finding developers that meet this criterion should be a priority for telemedicine software development projects, as they will determine the quality of the telemedicine software delivered to the client.
Telemedicine Software Features
Telemedicine software features can include a variety of healthcare services that benefit providers and patients. Here are a few examples of how telemedicine software can be utilized by its users.
Online Scheduling
Online scheduling is a feature that appeals to patients and providers alike for a few reasons. In the digital age, having to call a medical office in order to schedule an appointment can be viewed as inconvenient and cause patients to procrastinate seeking medical care. When patients have the ability to schedule, modify, or cancel appointments online with telemedicine apps, there will be fewer no-shows or late arrivals, and patients can receive treatment sooner.
In addition to scheduling appointments online, many providers encourage patients to enter their medical history and insurance information in a telehealth app prior to the appointment. This allows patients to ensure all the information entered is correct and lessens the administrative workload for healthcare professionals.
Electronic Health Records
Electronic Health Records (EHR) are digital records of patients’ health information that can be maintained across multiple healthcare organizations and providers. This can supply healthcare professionals with more specific information than the patient might’ve provided, which can result in a quicker and more accurate diagnosis. This can also save medical professionals time when it comes to collaboration since any results or notes can be shared in an efficient and simple way through telehealth software.
Remote Patient Monitoring
Remote patient monitoring allows healthcare providers to monitor a patient’s health condition using wearable sensors to access real-time data. The wearable sensors can track information, including vital signs, activity levels, and sleep patterns. This is a beneficial tool for patients with chronic conditions, as their healthcare provider can review their condition without an in-person appointment, instead through a mobile telehealth app.
Benefits of Telehealth App Development for Providers
We’ve reviewed examples of the type of healthcare services offered with telehealth solutions, but how does this benefit providers?
Larger Patient Reach
By offering patients medical care through telehealth services, providers can access patients outside of their local area. Providers can also meet with patients who might not be capable of getting to a physical office through a mobile telemedicine app, including those without transportation or conditions that keep them at home. With this new pool of patients, healthcare providers can expand their practice and consult with more patients with telemedicine solutions.
Improved Patient Care
Telehealth software has the ability to centralize patient care, which can lead to faster and more accurate results. With Electronic Medical Records (EMR) and Electronic Health Records (EHR), all of the patient’s information is stored in a telemedicine system and can provide medical professionals with insights into the patient’s medical history that may not have come up during the consultation.
Healthcare software can also make it easier for healthcare providers to collaborate and share test results or consultations through a telemedicine platform, which can lead to a quicker diagnosis and treatment plan.
More Medical Services Provided
Telemedicine software development can increase healthcare providers’ services, bringing in more patients and revenue than in-person appointments. Telemedicine apps offer features that will appeal to a large patient pool, such as remote monitoring, prescription management, and virtual consultations. Knowing what healthcare services will be offered ahead of the telemedicine app development will ensure providers can provide care to as many patients as possible.
Benefits of Telehealth App Development for Patients
Knowing how providers can benefit from telehealth app development, let’s look at a few ways patients can benefit.
Efficient Appointments
In-person doctor’s appointments are often considered to be a time-consuming event. Between commuting to the medical office, filling out paperwork, and waiting to actually visit with the doctor, hours of a patient’s day have been used up. By scheduling appointments online through a telemedicine platform and meeting with a provider virtually, patients can save hours of their time and attend their appointment from the comfort of home.
Increased Access to Healthcare
When healthcare can be provided through telemedicine apps, it’s breaks down access barriers many patients experience. Patients in remote or rural communities typically won’t have access to specialized healthcare providers, but telemedicine solutions can offer virtual appointments regardless of the patient’s location.
When it comes to mental health services, many patients experience struggles in finding a provider with availability that also accepts their health insurance. More mental health providers have started to offer appointments through a telemedicine platform, allowing more patients to seek care and support.
Reduced Service Cost
The service cost associated with a telehealth app appointment is lower than an in-person appointment for a few reasons. Without a physical waiting or examination room, medical staff can visit with more patients while operating out of a smaller office space. Patients are also more likely to find a provider that accepts their health insurance through a telehealth app than if they relied on in-person care only.
How Geneca Uses Agile for Telehealth Software Development
At Geneca, we apply our own twist to the Agile method to every project we work on, including those in the healthcare industry. We’ve got it covered, from focusing on the user experience to providing real-time updates on the project’s status. If your healthcare organization is ready to build its own telehealth app, reach out to Geneca today!
Check out these resources for more information on our telemedicine app development services:
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Geneca’s telemedicine app development guide