Digital healthcare is increasing at a rapid pace, as investments in healthcare are expected to increase past $34 Billion Worldwide by 2025. While there are several healthcare trends that are showing promising results, the goal of achieving digitized and enhanced patient experiences remains a central theme.
Understanding the needs of patients and healthcare providers to craft user experiences (UX) that fulfill their needs is the driving force behind user-centric design principles. Staying ahead to bring innovative solutions to healthcare systems and applications requires understanding the latest UX trends.
In this article, we will look at some of the latest UX trends in the healthcare industry that can help you design applications to increase user satisfaction and bring about positive transformation in digital healthcare systems. We will also understand the importance of UX in healthcare and why it is very important to invest in a quality UX that helps save human lives.
UI/UX Medical Trends 2024
1. Digitization
Moving away from conventional healthcare practices and increasing the use of digitized healthcare applications is picking up a faster pace in recent times. As the healthcare demands of patients differ from each other, more focus is being given to providing personalized healthcare experiences, where the UX design focus is to create interfaces that offer customized content and treatment plans. Keeping the needs of individuals in mind enhances user engagement and increases user satisfaction.
Ease of using digital devices such as smartphones and tablets: UX for healthcare applications is optimized for mobile devices that enable patients to access medical information easily and quickly and use telehealth services efficiently.
Telehealth apps are in demand as patients can gain access to healthcare through video consultations remotely. Good UX design can provide an effective way to build telehealth systems that allow patients to manage their appointments and get an in-person experience in a digital environment.
Digital therapeutics addressing the needs of various medical conditions can be built through intuitive UI that can help patients easily navigate and adhere to these treatments, which may include cognitive behavioral therapy, medication adherence, or chronic disease management.
2. More Focus on Mental Health Apps/Products
As the focus has shifted more to mental health in recent years, the need for mental health applications and products is increasing simultaneously. This is more evident since the COVID-19 pandemic, where a Wysa report suggests that nearly 40% of people have been struggling with anxiety and depression. Mental health applications offering meditation techniques and mindfulness are becoming popular and helping to reduce burnout.
Crafting a well-designed UX is crucial as it impacts user engagement and increases the effectiveness of mental health services. Building a UX for these apps or products by promoting empathy, simplicity, and user comfort that is both receptive and soothing to the users.
Patients can connect with mental health professionals through a telepsychiatry interface where they can have secure and confidential communication with them. This helps in providing comfort to patients who are seeking therapy or counseling remotely.
3. Electronic Health Records (EHRs)
Modern EHR systems allow healthcare professionals to input medical information about the patient, retrieve the information when required, and analyze it for further decision-making. Having a user-friendly and intuitive interface helps in navigating and enables data entry quickly.
This reduces the cognitive load on healthcare professionals, minimizes the time required to manage patient data, and allows them to focus more on patient care.
EHR systems designed for mobile devices are widely being used and enable accessing patient information on the go. Hence, creating a responsive UX design is important for enabling access to EHR on both computer and mobile devices. EHR systems that are integrated with predictive analysis and decision support capabilities allow doctors to make informed decisions.
Building UX to showcase the analysis results and recommendations in a comprehensible and user-friendly manner further helps doctors.
Related Read: Benefits and Challenges of the EHR
4. Virtual and Augmented Reality (VR/AR)
Experiencing real-life scenarios through immersive and interactive environments is possible through Virtual and augmented reality (VR/AR). This facilitates learning and training in a simulated environment and can help surgeons practice advanced surgery in a risk-free way. Products such as Accuvein use VR technique that enables doctors to see veins and valves and make informed decisions for appropriate needle placement.
Patients can benefit from VR in pain management and distraction therapy during treatments. AppliedVR is one such example of VR where it can be used to relieve chronic pain and help patients with developing new coping mechanisms.
AR aids in medical visualization, helping physicians see anatomical structures during surgery or diagnostics in real-time. These technologies driven by cutting-edge UI/UX design principles have the potential to enhance overall user experience by offering immersive and interactive solutions for healthcare professionals and patients alike.
5. Voice User Interfaces (VUI)
Voice user interfaces like Siri and Alexa are very popular and can help patients and healthcare professionals access healthcare application functions through their voice. Patients with disabilities can utilize these features to access healthcare systems, schedule appointments, and even interact with healthcare professionals through their voices.
In scenarios where hygiene and infection control are crucial, VUI facilitates contactless operations, reduces the risk of cross-contamination, and increases safety. VUIs can enhance patient engagement by providing a more conversational and user-friendly interface.
Patients may feel more comfortable asking questions and seeking information via voice, leading to better healthcare experiences. VUIs can be integrated into remote monitoring devices, enabling patients to report symptoms or vital signs verbally. This data can then be transmitted to healthcare professionals for real-time assessment.
6. Internet of Medical Things(IoMT)/Wearable Technologies
Wearable devices such as smartwatches are very common and not only display
health-related data but also provide great data visualization to patients. Integrating these devices with the Internet of Medical Things (IoMT) can help to collect and transmit healthcare data to improve patient care and monitoring.
Additionally, self-monitoring devices can help to monitor blood glucose levels, blood pressure, and other vital signs and can signal and send alerts to healthcare professionals directly in any case of irregularities in health metrics. In return, doctors can share recommendations and treatment plans with the patients.
Through a thoughtfully designed UX, patients can view the generated insights, take necessary steps to adopt healthy behaviors and contribute to health outcomes. Using appropriate colors for data visualization can help to display information accurately on small screens and increase the usability of the devices.
Additionally, the design should promote seamless integration with other healthcare systems, facilitating data sharing with healthcare providers for remote monitoring and timely interventions.
7. Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM)
Using technology to collect and transmit patient data from a remote location to healthcare providers for real-time monitoring and care management can be successfully achieved through RPM. Designing effective RPM interfaces is crucial to ensure a seamless and user-friendly experience for both patients and healthcare professionals.
For patients, RPM interfaces should be intuitive, allowing them to easily set up and use monitoring devices at home. The user interface should provide clear instructions, real-time data feedback, and alerts for any concerning changes in health parameters.
Additionally, patient engagement features, such as educational resources and communication tools for reaching out to healthcare providers, can enhance the overall experience.
Healthcare professionals, on the other hand, require user interfaces that offer streamlined access to patient data, sophisticated analytics tools, and efficient communication channels. Effective RPM interfaces enable healthcare providers to make timely interventions based on the data received, improving patient care and reducing hospital readmissions.
8. Non-Emergency Medical Transportation (NEMT)
Even though digital healthcare offers a lot of support to patients, there could be situations where the patients might need to meet doctors physically. Transportation can pose a challenge, especially for the elderly, patients with physical disabilities, and people residing in rural areas.
NEMT can help in resolving these issues by offering dedicated taxis and rides to these patients. Developing user-friendly booking platforms that allow patients to easily schedule rides, integrating real-time tracking features so patients can monitor their transportation’s arrival, and ensuring accessibility for individuals with mobility challenges.
Designing UX solutions that prioritize safety, as patients using this service are often in vulnerable health conditions, clear and concise communication about drivers, vehicle cleanliness, and adherence to safety protocols is essential. Additionally, the ability to provide users with a feedback mechanism for reporting any issues or concerns during their transportation experience is crucial for continuous improvement.
9. Organ Care Technology & Bioprinting
3D printing is the driving force of the merging healthcare trend of bioprinting that involves creating D-printed human tissues and organs for transplantation and research. From creating external prosthetics to orthopedic implants, helping in surgical planning, and recreating human cells, bones, and even organs can be achieved through this technology.
Designing intuitive interfaces for bioprinters and associated software is vital to ensure precise customization of organ structures. This technology not only enhances the user experience for researchers and medical professionals but also has the potential to save countless lives by addressing organ shortages.
10. Nanomedicine
Nanomedicine involves using nanotechnology using materials and devices that are used to prevent, diagnose, and treat diseases at a molecular level. Designing and implementing user interfaces and experiences for nanomedicines has both unique challenges as well as opportunities.
Designers must create interfaces that effectively communicate complex nanomedical concepts to both healthcare professionals and patients in a user-friendly manner.
Building a UI that integrates real-time data from nanosensors and devices into healthcare applications with the highest precision is important to provide a seamless and intuitive experience for monitoring and managing health at the nanoscale.
11. AI and Chatbots
Chatbots powered by AI are helping patients with tasks such as booking appointments, sending reminders, educating patients, and answering queries. Sophisticated AI solutions in healthcare are empowering patients to find the lab, reports, and pay hospital bills. In a hospital workflow, AI is helping to automate the repetitive tasks of billing and administrative processes that can help reduce the burden on the staff and improve overall efficiency.
Building UX that provides easy access to the functionality and creating an intuitive AI can enhance the overall experience and help both the patients and hospital staff navigate healthcare processes seamlessly
Crafting UX for healthcare systems to store data and provide accurate results is crucial for enhancing the overall diagnostic process and minimizing errors. The user-centric design ensures that healthcare professionals can efficiently access and interpret AI-generated diagnostic insights, leading to quicker and more precise decision-making.
Moreover, a well-designed UX can help in presenting complex medical information in a comprehensible manner, facilitating effective communication between clinicians and patients.
Through this video, you can explore how ChatGPT and Generative AI are revolutionizing telemedicine, EHR, and automation in healthcare 👇
12. Improved Big Data and Analytics
A considerable amount of raw is consistently generated in the healthcare industry. Medical data that is collected from various sources such as patient records, diagnostic tests, wearable devices, and monitoring systems might not give any information.
Improved Big Data and Analytics in healthcare UX design means creating intuitive dashboards and data visualization tools that allow healthcare providers to quickly identify trends, anomalies, and insights.
These interfaces can assist in early disease detection, treatment optimization, and population health management. Additionally, they can enhance the patient experience by providing personalized health insights and recommendations, fostering greater patient engagement and empowerment.
13. Cloud Migration
The trend of cloud migration for medical applications signifies the shift towards hosting healthcare services and data on cloud-based platforms. This transition enables seamless accessibility to patient data and applications from various locations and devices, promoting mobility and flexibility for both healthcare providers and patients.
Additionally, cloud infrastructure enhances scalability, allowing healthcare systems to adapt to fluctuating demands and accommodate growing datasets. Cloud migration contributes to improved data security by leveraging advanced encryption and authentication measures, ensuring the confidentiality and integrity of sensitive medical information.
14. Fintech Integration
Seamless integration of financial tools and features within healthcare applications, portals, and platforms helps to improve the overall user experience. One primary application of fintech integration in healthcare is simplifying billing and payment processes. Patients can conveniently view and pay medical bills, manage insurance claims, and set up payment plans directly within the healthcare interface, reducing administrative burdens and enhancing user convenience.
Fintech integration enables cost transparency, allowing patients to estimate treatment expenses and make informed healthcare decisions. Additionally, healthcare providers can optimize revenue cycle management through faster and more efficient payment processing.
This trend aligns with the broader industry goal of creating patient-centric healthcare experiences by addressing the often-complex financial aspects of healthcare, thereby improving patient satisfaction and financial wellness.
15. Staffing Solutions
Hospital staffing solutions involve creating digital interfaces and software applications that facilitate the recruitment, scheduling, and management of healthcare professionals. By implementing intuitive and efficient UX design, healthcare organizations can enhance the user experience for both administrators and staff members, making it easier to fill shifts, manage workloads, and ensure adequate staffing levels, especially in times of high demand or unexpected shortages.
A user-friendly interface helps in improving the overall efficiency and effectiveness of healthcare staffing, ultimately leading to better patient care and staff satisfaction.
16. More Focus on Data Privacy and Security
Healthcare applications and platforms handle highly sensitive patient data, including medical records, personal information, and payment details. With the rise in cyber threats and data breaches, ensuring robust security measures and privacy protection has become paramount.
Designing UX that incorporates features such as two-factor authentication, encryption, and strict access controls to safeguard patient data is crucial for data security.
Creating UX that educates and informs patients about the importance of data privacy, and encourages them to actively participate in safeguarding their health information. Transparent consent mechanisms and clear communication of how data is used are also integral parts of the user experience
Why UX Is Important in Medicine?
Due to the increasing focus on digital healthcare, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic, investing in a quality UX design has become more crucial. A poorly designed UX can have a catastrophic impact on a patient’s health. For example, a diabetic patient who is unable to read the correct glucose levels for adjusting their insulin doses and is facing issues in effectively using the glucose meter due to a poorly designed UX can lead to serious consequences.
At the same time, an intuitive and well-designed UX can empower patients to improve their health. For example, Nxti, a smart tight was developed to help stroke patients correct their postures and achieve self-rehabilitation at home. Some other significant reasons to invest in UX are:
🔹 Higher Accuracy and Speed
A carefully designed UX provides an intuitive user interface in (EHR) systems or diagnostic tools so that healthcare professionals can easily access patient data and analyze patient information accurately. This helps to improve decision-making as the healthcare professionals are well aware of the patient’s condition, diagnose the disease accurately, and decide on effective treatment plans.
A user-friendly design helps to save a significant amount of time for healthcare providers as they can easily use these systems and focus more on patient care rather than struggling to use complex and old systems.
Since time is of critical essence in the healthcare and medicine industry, investing in a good UX is crucial to achieving higher accuracy through thoughtfully designed systems through a user-centric approach.
🔹 Better Usability
A successful adoption of digital healthcare systems hugely depends on the usability of the system. A carefully designed intuitive navigation allows patients and healthcare providers to effectively use these systems and achieve better health outcomes. Crafting UX that encourages users to efficiently use healthcare devices has a positive impact on the patients and enhances patient safety.
For example, a medical software system causing confusion among doctors about the left and right side of the brain due to a design flaw could be disastrous. Such scenarios are not due to user errors but to poor usability of the systems. Conducting thorough usability research and usability testing is crucial to improving overall usability and enhancing healthcare.
🔹Easy Navigation
For fully utilizing all the important features of healthcare or medical systems, intuitive and easy navigation is essential. Patients and healthcare professionals should be able to navigate through different pages easily without getting lost while trying to accomplish tasks.
Each page must contain essential elements on the screen that support the functionality helping users to guide across a series of pages. Too many clicks for navigating across several pages to complete a task can be overwhelming for the users.
Instead, using appropriate elements such as buttons or options engaging content for headings or labels, and fewer clicks allows users to quickly achieve their goals without encountering any hurdles.
🔹 Lesser Risks
Investing in a good UX design enables healthcare providers to use the applications effectively and reduces any chances of errors or oversight in patient care. Often there are outdated systems that are poorly designed and might pose a challenge for healthcare professionals to effectively use them.
Developing modern systems with increased accuracy reduces any risks and the information required is easily available for patients and doctors. Patients can easily understand and follow the treatment plans, medication schedules, and health monitoring instructions. This helps them to adhere to the treatment and overall improve their well-being.
🔹 Builds User Confidence
In the medical field, patients often encounter complex and potentially life-altering decisions. Healthcare systems that incorporate a well-designed UX can help patients to manage their health efficiently and this leads to an overall positive impact on their well-being.
As patients continue to use and rely on these systems, a sense of trust is built between healthcare professionals and patients. This boosts user confidence among patients and increases satisfaction.
Mindbowser Case Studies to Take Inspirations From
Mindbowser has helped in creating Mindworks, a meditation app that offers guided meditations to users with various levels of meditation techniques from basic meditation to advanced meditation methods. The simplistic yet effective UX built on a user-centric approach has enabled users to manage their mental health and improve their mental well-being.
Hire Mindbowser to Help You Get the Best UX Implemented
Digital healthcare is at the forefront of bringing positive outcomes for patients and healthcare providers. A solid UX that enhances the customer experience and increases usability are some of the parameters that make healthcare applications stand out from the rest of their peers.
Building a robust healthcare framework through quality UX requires collaborating with a partner who has both experience and expertise in crafting user-centric designs.
Hiring Mindbowser to assist with implementing the best UX is a strategic move for optimizing your product or service. Mindbowser’s expertise in UX design can help enhance the usability, accessibility, and overall satisfaction of your users.
Our skilled team can analyze your specific needs, conduct user research, create user-centered designs, and provide valuable insights to improve your product’s interface. By collaborating with Mindbowser, you can ensure that your product prioritizes user experience, resulting in a more successful and user-friendly solution.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What are the trends in digital health in 2024?
Some of the major trends for digital healthcare in 2024 are: Data science is bringing major breakthroughs by generating actionable insights that can help healthcare professionals uncover new treatments and help in diagnosing and treating patients. Remote healthcare through telehealth and telemedicine applications helps patients connect with healthcare professionals to manage their health and well-being effectively. Wearable devices are widely used by patients for monitoring their health and playing a more active role in managing their health. Generative AI-based platforms can be used for personalized healthcare and offering customized solutions to patients. Virtual assistants are helping patients by responding to queries, managing and scheduling appointments, and sending reminders.
- What is 1 major technological trend in healthcare?
One major technological trend in healthcare is the use and integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) into various aspects of the healthcare industry for: Improving diagnostic accuracy, personalizing treatment plans, streamlining administrative tasks, and enhancing patient engagement. Analyzing vast amounts of data, predicting disease outcomes, automating routine processes, and ultimately improving patient care and outcomes. AI and ML applications include image recognition for medical imaging, natural language processing for analyzing medical records, and predictive analytics for identifying health trends and interventions.
- What is a major trend in healthcare now?
A major trend in healthcare is the adoption of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), which is revolutionizing the way medical professionals generate and manipulate data. Generative AI involves the use of algorithms to create, modify, or enhance data, such as medical images, patient records, and drug molecules. It is particularly impactful in medical imaging, where it can generate synthetic images to augment limited datasets, aiding in the training of machine learning models for more accurate diagnoses. Additionally, generative AI can assist in drug discovery by simulating molecular structures and predicting potential drug candidates, accelerating research and development efforts in the pharmaceutical industry.
- What are some examples of healthcare technology trends?
Some examples of healthcare technology trends that have been prominent in recent years are: Wearable Health Devices such as smartwatches and fitness trackers enable individuals to monitor their health metrics, such as heart rate, activity levels, and sleep patterns. Healthcare Chatbots and Virtual Assistants help patients with appointment scheduling, answering health-related queries, and providing medical information. IoT (Internet of Things) devices are being used to collect real-time data from patients, medical equipment, and environments, enabling better monitoring and management of healthcare resources. Tailoring medical treatment and interventions to an individual’s genetic makeup and specific health characteristics is gaining momentum, offering more effective and personalized healthcare.
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- What is the common focus of modern healthcare trends?
The common focus of modern healthcare trends revolves around improving patient-centric care, enhancing accessibility, and driving efficiency within the healthcare ecosystem. Modern healthcare trends prioritize the integration of technology to streamline processes, increase patient engagement, and deliver personalized care. Additionally, there is a growing emphasis on preventive care, data-driven decision-making, and the use of artificial intelligence and data analytics to inform clinical practices and optimize resource allocation.
Manisha Khadge, CMO Mindbowser
Manisha Khadge, recognized as one of Asia’s 100 power leaders, brings to the table nearly two decades of experience in the IT products and services sector. She’s skilled at boosting healthcare software sales worldwide, creating effective strategies that increase brand recognition and generate substantial revenue growth.
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