Telemedicine App Development: Its Cost and Steps

So, what is telemedicine? Let us start right from the first use of the term. The term telemedicine was coined in 1900 when an Australian doctor used a two-way radio to transmit a medical advertisement. But the meaning of the term has evolved over time.

Today, telemedicine refers to the use of modern communication tools for the delivery of remote healthcare services. Today, the communication tools used in telemedicine are smaller, more advanced, and far more effective than the tools that were used when telemedicine first originated.

Initially, telemedicine technologies were to provide medical services to those people who lived in regions that did not have a hospital. But today, for people living in developed and developing countries, these technologies are a matter of convenience, rather than a necessity. However, in the wake of the recent COVID-19 virus outbreak, things have changed significantly.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has characterized COVID-19 as a pandemic. Governments all around the world have initiated nationwide lockdowns to prevent the spread of the virus. In times such as this, people are restricted from leaving their homes.

If people require any healthcare service, the only option they have is to use a telehealth app. These apps allow them to consult with a medical professional from the comfort of their homes. In such dire times, telemedicine apps have once again become a necessity. Analysts predict that the telemedicine industry will grow significantly in the coming years.

Steps to Develop a Telemedicine Platform

Idea Evaluation

To create a successful application, specific criteria must be met first. The app should be useful, it should meet demand, and the developers must be well-informed about the customer’s needs. Only after evaluating your idea, can you understand the market conditions and the functionality of your app.

If your idea is viable, you must be able to answer why you want to develop a telemedicine app. If you are able to do this, then you are ready to move on to the next stage of development.

Business Analysis

In this stage, you must determine the demand for the app and identify the characteristics and needs of your buyer. This will allow you to define your target audience. If your target audience has any problems related to your field, your product must be able to solve them.

The better your understanding of your customer, the better you will be able to promote your app after its launch. This stage forms the basis of your business strategy.

Market Research

Now, you must identify the market leaders in your field. These market leaders are the ones you will be directly competing with once your app is launched. Therefore, it is crucial to research their strengths, weaknesses, user reviews, and ratings.

By doing so, you will be able to gauge the ability of your app to compete with them. In this stage, you must pay close attention to your competitor’s services, their prices, and the platforms that they have used.

Unique Features

If your app has some features that your competitors do not have, it will help your app to stand out from the crowd. You can include features such as a high-quality chat that lets doctors and patients communicate seamlessly and efficiently. You could also include information about the consulting doctors.

If the patients know who they are consulting with, it is easier for them to establish trust with them. Your app could even show a doctor’s ratings and reviews from previous patients to the current patient. If you allow doctors to see the patient’s electronic health record, it will be much easier for them to diagnose patients.

Choose a Marketing Channel

This stage is crucial, but it is only used after the development process is completed. In this stage, you need to identify which social network is used most by your target audience. This will help you to maximize your profit by promoting your app on channels where your target audience is concentrated. Here are the top 10 telehealth marketing strategies that can drive growth for your telehealth platform.

Related Read: Telemedicine App Development – A Complete Guide

The Cost of Telemedicine Software Development

The sooner you understand the cost of developing the telemedicine platform, the sooner you will be able to allocate budgets for the promotion and distribution of the app. The cost of telemedicine app development depends on a variety of factors such as its features, development approach, and development service provider.

The cost of telemedicine app development depends on a variety of factors such as its features, development approach, and development service provider. The most basic app includes a patient app, a virtual doctor apps, and an admin panel for a single platform. This version will cost you around $50,000. The costs are high due to the compliance and secure architecture to build a telemedicine app.

If you choose to develop a feature-rich telemedicine solution that has more functionality and complexity, your development costs can go around 150-200K USD. The average time taken for the development of a telemedicine app can vary between 3 to 8 months.