Healthcare App Development: Top Ideas for Successful Medical Apps

According to a study by GrandView Research Inc, the global healthcare application market size is expected to reach USD 1.5 trillion by 2030, expanding at a CAGR of 27.7%. W

hile this growth looks promising, developing a successful medical app requires more than just a good idea.

You have to be genuinely passionate about the idea and its potential to help people – and not just because another smarty-pants is raking in the dough with a similar concept.

What Are Healthcare Apps?

Healthcare apps are the software solutions that hospitals, clinics, and health systems use to diagnose, track, and treat diseases while enabling patients to book doctor’s appointments, order prescription refills, track their health goals, and communicate with doctors. 

They can also be used for remote patient monitoring and real-time collection of medical data.

They differ from wellness apps because they are designed to diagnose, track, and treat health conditions, while wellness apps are mainly used for promoting healthy living.

Top Ideas for Successful Medical Apps

#1. Medical References Apps: With heaps of medical data and information available from medical research, patients, studies, and organizations, keeping up with the latest medical references. A medical reference app that consolidates all this data into one easy-to-use platform could make life much easier for healthcare professionals. 

The idea is to create an app that provides access to the latest research and medical references while also breaking them down into digestible pieces. It can be an invaluable source of information for medical professionals, students, and researchers.

The closest example to this idea is UpToDate, one of the most popular medical reference apps.

Medscape is another great medical reference app that provides different categories of medical information and resources.

7 Must-Have Features for Medical Reference Applications Are:

• Detailed drug information
• BMI calculator
• Medical quizzes and tests
• Medical research and news
• Smart search across categories
• High-quality images and videos

#2. Medication Refill Apps: Prescription refills are tedious for patients and healthcare providers. An app that automates this process would benefit both parties as it can help save time, reduce costs, and provide more accurate results. 

An app that automates the prescription refill process can help bridge the communication gap between patients and healthcare providers while also streamlining the entire process. It can also help reduce paper waste and keep track of patient data in an organized way.

Pharmacy refill apps such as Refill Rx and Express Scripts are two examples of successful medication refill apps.

The must-have features for an automated prescription refill app are:

• Ability to store patient medication history
• Integration with insurance providers
• Secure payment gateway integration 
• Prescription reminders 
• Ability to order refills online or by phone
• Secure messaging system for patient-provider communication 
• Push notifications for prescription refill reminders

#3. Doctor-on-demand Application: Finding a reliable doctor isn’t always easy, especially when you urgently need medical attention. A doctor-on-demand app can provide on-demand access to experienced medical professionals and make it easier for people to get the care they need without waiting in long queues at the hospital or clinic.

Patients can book doctor’s appointments, get a medical consultation, and receive treatment from the comfort of their homes. The app can also allow doctors to monitor patients remotely, get instant access to patient records, and easily schedule appointments. 

An example of a successful doctor-on-demand application is Doctors On Demand which provides 24/7 access to qualified physicians for quick diagnosis and treatment.

The must-have features for a doctor-on-demand application are:

• Secure login and authentication system 
• Integration with healthcare providers and insurance companies 
• Real-time video consultation capabilities 
• Ability to store patient medical records and health information securely 
• A secure messaging system for communication between patients and doctors
• The ability to book appointments, view appointment history, and review past medical consultations
• Push notifications for reminders and updates about appointments 
• Ability to pay online for medical services
• Detailed medical advice and reports from doctors

#4. Health Tracking Application: Tracking your health is a great way to stay on top of your well-being and ensure you stay healthy. A health tracking app can help track the user’s physical activity and health records such as blood pressure, glucose levels, sleep patterns, and more. 

The app can also provide personalized recommendations based on the user’s data and help them understand their overall health better.

Examples of successful health-tracking apps are HealthTap and Fitbit. 

The must-have features for a health-tracking app are:

• Ability to track diet/nutrition 
• Ability to track exercise and physical activity 
• Integration with medical devices such as blood pressure monitors 
• Real-time health alerts 
• Integration with insurance providers 
• Secure payment gateway integration 
• Secure messaging system for communication between patients and healthcare providers
• Ability to store patient medical records and health information securely
• Push notifications for reminders and updates about appointments or health-tracking goals. 
• Generating detailed reports and statistical data about the user’s health. 
• Ability to connect with healthcare providers for medical advice or treatment
• Integration with fitness and lifestyle apps for additional data-tracking capabilities
• Order a lab test

#5. Healthcare Networking Applications: Imagine a social media platform where healthcare professionals from different fields can connect and share knowledge. Healthcare networking apps are a great way to build an online community of healthcare professionals and make it easier for them to collaborate, exchange ideas and share best practices. 

The app can provide patients with access to expert medical advice from specialists in different areas and connect them with the right healthcare providers based on their health needs.  

Doctors can seek medical advice from peers, build virtual networks, and access the latest research. This application can also help medical students and interns connect with experienced healthcare professionals for career advice. 

An example of a successful healthcare networking app is Doximity which has over 2 million verified physicians and advanced practice clinicians.

The must-have features for a healthcare networking application are:

• Instant file sharing
• Chat options
• Journal
• Medical events
• Access to research papers and medical files

#6. Nutrition Value Calculation App: Eating a balanced diet is a dream we all have, but few of us have the time or energy to research and calculate the nutritional content of our food. A nutrition value calculation app can provide users with detailed nutritional information about their daily meals. 

This app can also help people make better eating decisions by providing personalized recommendations based on their dietary preferences, health goals, and lifestyle choices.

The app should operate like a Calorie Counter, allowing users to enter the type and quantity of food they’ve eaten and receive detailed nutritional information about their meals. 

Examples of successful nutrition value calculation apps are MyFitnessPal and Fooducate. 

The must-have features for a nutrition value calculation app are:

• Ability to track diet/nutrition 
• Water taking reminder
• Meal and weigh-in reminders
• Calorie tracker
• Grocery check for nutritional information 
• Nutritional facts label scanner 
• Integration with fitness and lifestyle apps for additional data-tracking capabilities
• Ability to create meal plans and healthy recipes according to dietary preferences and health goals
• Diet-friendly recipes
• Nutritional planning 
• Interactive reports and analysis

#7. Medicine Price Comparison: Drug prices can be costly and vary widely from one pharmacy to another. A medicine price comparison app can help users compare the prices of different drugs across pharmacies and make an informed decision about their medication purchases. 

The app should provide accurate information about the drug’s cost, ingredients, side effects, and generic/brand availability. 

Customers can also customize their orders by ordering from different pharmacies or purchasing generic alternatives instead of branded medications. 

Examples of successful medicine price comparison apps are GoodRx and Blink Health. 

The must-have features of a medicine price comparison app are:

• Ability to compare prices across different pharmacies 
• Detailed information about generic/brand drugs and their side effects 
• Search bar to quickly find the desired drug 
• Option to purchase medications online 
• Integration with insurance providers to provide discounts and coupon codes 
• Secure payment gateway integration. 
• Drug store information
• Schedule order
• Multiple brands’ price comparisons
• Smart search filters
• Push notifications for reminders and updates related to prescriptions
• Integration with healthcare providers for medical advice or treatment
• Secure messaging system for communication between patients and pharmacists

#8. e-Prescription Applications: Some patients have frequent medical refills and need to get their prescriptions renewed regularly. E-prescription apps can help them quickly and easily get their medications refilled even when they can’t visit the doctor in person. 

E-prescription apps should be able to store patient medical records and health information securely and generate electronic prescriptions that can be sent directly to the pharmacy. 

The must-have features for an e-prescription app:

• Secure storage of medical records and health information 
• The capability to generate electronic prescriptions 
• Integration with healthcare providers and pharmacies 
• Ability to schedule refills and reminders 
• Secure payment gateway integration. 
• Seamless communication between patients and healthcare providers 
• Secure messaging system for communication between patients and pharmacies. 
• Integration with insurance providers to provide discounts and coupon codes. 
• Real-time notifications of prescription refill status. 
• Option to purchase medications online. 
• Ability to track prescriptions across multiple pharmacies. 
• Security features such as encryption, authentication, and access control. 
• Analytical tools to assess prescription usage and patient health history.

#8. Pharmacy Delivery App: Ubereats for medicine is another viable healthcare app idea in the market. Pharmacy delivery apps can provide a convenient way for patients to get their medications delivered to their doorstep. 

The app should have features such as order tracking, secure payment gateway integration, real-time notifications of order status, and more. 

The must-have features for a pharmacy delivery app are:

Order tracking 

• Secure payment gateway integration 
• Real-time notifications of order status
• Delivery tracking on the map
• Option to purchase medications online 
• Integration with healthcare providers and pharmacies 
• Integration with insurance providers to provide discounts and coupon codes 
• Delivery charges
• Commission structure for delivery personnel 
• Ratings & Reviews for feedback
• Drivers’ sign-up, profiles, and management tools
• Push notifications

#9. App for Women’s Well-being: Women have different health needs than men and, thus, require specialized solutions. 

The app can track women’s menstrual cycles, provide information about reproductive health, and offer advice on various health issues. 

Even better, the app should offer ideas on fertile days, the best days for safe intercourse, and tips to optimize women’s overall health. 

One good example of such an app is Clue. 

The must-have features for such an app should include:

• Detailed information on reproductive health
• Track menstrual cycle and fertile days 
• Tips to optimize overall health 
• Chatbot for personalized advice on women’s health
• In-app purchases for additional features

#10. Using VR for Meditation: Meditation is a billion-dollar industry, with some apps leading to IPOs and billion-dollar valuations.

And VR is no longer just a gaming technology; it has the potential to revolutionize the wellness industry. 

VR meditation apps allow users to immerse themselves in a 3D environment and experience a stress-free and relaxed state of mind. 

These apps can include audio-visual guidance, calming music and visuals, and customized meditation sessions.

Example: One example is a pp called ‘Calm’ that provides guided meditation and sleep stories in a virtual reality environment. 

The must-have features for such an app are:

• Audio-visual guidance 
• Calming music and visuals 
• Customized meditation sessions
• Integration with healthcare providers for medical advice or treatment  

#11. Peer-to-Peer Contributions to Medical Bills (Peer Insurance Medical Cover):

This healthcare app aims to create a platform that allows peers to contribute to each other’s medical bills. Contributors earn points with each contribution they make and can use those points to cover their medical bills in the future.

The points are your insurance policy. And the more points you have, the more medical coverage you have. 

Example:  No similar app exists today, but a close comparison would be Friendsurance, which offers peer-to-peer life insurance solutions. 

The must-have features for such an app are:

• Secure payment gateway integration 
• Peer-to-peer contribution platform with a point system 
• Integration with healthcare providers for medical advice or treatment 
• Option for medical bill payments using points earned by contributions.

#12. Mental Health App: Mental health apps can provide a safe space for users to track and monitor their mental health, receive advice from psychologists or counsellors, and even support friends in need.

Example: One example of such an app is ‘Talking Therapies. 

The must-have features for such an app are:

• Secure messaging system for communication between patients and healthcare providers 
• Integration with healthcare providers for medical advice or treatment 
• Stress and burnout tracker 
• Secure payment gateway integration for therapy sessions 
• Option for virtual therapy sessions. 
• Option for in-app discussions and support groups. 
• Option for peer feedback and advice.

#13. Self-test Apps: Self-test apps enable users to check various aspects of their health and well-being.

These apps can help users detect diseases and health issues early, monitor existing health conditions, or even check for allergies.

Scenarios like this can be crucial for those with pre-existing conditions or those who catch a new condition early on. 

Example: One example of such an app is ‘uCheck’ and “Ada.’

The must-have features for such an app are:

• Detailed information about various health conditions 
• Integration with healthcare providers for medical advice or treatment 
• Secure payment gateway integration for tests and check-ups 
• Option for lab results tracking.
• Option for in-app reminders of appointments and tests. 

Benefits like these make it easier for users to stay on top of their health and confidently make intelligent healthcare decisions. 

#14. Medical Training Apps: Medical training apps enable healthcare professionals to stay up-to-date with the latest healthcare and medical practice advances.

The app would offer courses, tutorials, and lectures directed at helping medical professionals stay up to date with changes in the industry. 

Example: One example of such an app is ‘MeduLearn.’ 

The must-have features for such an app are: 

• Courses and tutorials directed at medical professionals
• Integration with healthcare providers for medical advice or treatment 
• Option for in-app reminders of courses and lectures 
• Option for virtual lectures and conferences
• The app should also provide a forum for healthcare professionals to share their experiences, discuss medical cases, and get feedback from their peers. 

#15. Medical Translation Apps: Medical translation apps can help healthcare professionals communicate with their patients more effectively. The app would provide accurate medical terms and phrases translations in various languages. 

There are many ideas for building a successful medical translation app. 

Example: One example of such an app is ‘MediBabble.’ 

• The must-have features for such an app are: 
• Translation of medical terms and phrases in multiple languages 
• Integration with healthcare providers for medical advice or treatment 
• Secure payment gateway integration 
• Option for audio recordings of translations

#16. Hospital Finder App: A hospital finder app can help users quickly locate nearby hospitals and healthcare centres. 

Users could use the app to search for healthcare facilities based on location or to view a list of available hospitals in other cities.

That would be especially useful for those travelling abroad or in an unfamiliar area.

Example: One example of such an app is ‘Hospital Locator.’ 

The must-have features for such an app are: 

• Detailed information about various healthcare facilities 
• Integration with healthcare providers for medical advice or treatment 
• Option for geolocation to find hospitals in a specific area 
• Option for users to save their preferred hospitals
• Option for virtual tours of hospitals and healthcare centres

#17. Symptoms App: A symptoms app can help users learn more about their health. This type of app could provide detailed information and advice regarding various symptoms and illnesses. 

The app can take note of the patterns of the user’s symptoms and alert them to any changes or potential health issues. 

Example: One example of such an app is ‘MySymptoms.’ 

The must-have features for such an app are: 

• Detailed information about various symptoms and illnesses 
• Integration with healthcare providers for medical advice or treatment 
• Option to report and record symptoms 
• Option to receive alerts about changes in symptoms 
• Integration with health tracking apps for more accurate results

#18. Hospital Management Apps: Hospital management apps can help healthcare professionals manage patients’ medical records, appointments, and other details. 

The app should provide easy access to patient records, enable the scheduling of appointments and treatments, and allow users to keep track of medical bills. 

Example: One example of such an app is ‘Hospital Manager.’ 

The must-have features for such an app are: 

• Secure storage of patient records  
• Integration with healthcare providers for medical advice or treatment 
• Option to schedule appointments and treatments 
• Option to track medical bills
• Option to access records remotely

#19. Biological Data Tracking Apps: Biological data tracking apps can help medical professionals to monitor and track their patients’ biological data. The app could include heart rate monitoring, blood pressure monitoring, and nutrient tracking.

You could even integrate it with a wearable device to monitor biometric data. 

Example: One example of such an app is ‘BioTracker.’

The must-have features for such an app are: 

• Real-time monitoring of biological data 
• Integration with healthcare providers for medical advice or treatment 
• Option to track and monitor biometric data over time  
• Secure storage of patient records 
• Option for users to share their data with healthcare professionals

#20. Medical Imaging Apps: Medical imaging apps can help medical professionals scan and store patient body images. The app could include features such as MRI scanning, CT scans, X-rays, and Ultrasound scans. 

Example: One example of such an app is ‘XRayPlus.’ 

The must-have features for such an app are: 

• Integration with healthcare providers for medical advice or treatment 
• Secure storage of medical images 
• Option to share and transfer images between healthcare professionals 
• Image enhancement tools to improve image clarity  
• Option for users to view their scans in real-time
• Detailed reports and analysis of the images

#21. HIV/AIDS Awareness Apps: HIV/AIDS awareness apps can help to spread awareness about the virus and provide education on prevention, treatment, and support. The app could include features such as information about HIV testing centers, access to healthcare professionals, and resources for those living with HIV/AIDS. 

Example: One example of such an app is ‘LifeLink.’ 

The must-have features for such an app are: 

• Detailed information about HIV/AIDS 
• Integration with healthcare providers for medical advice or treatment  
• Option to find HIV testing centers in a specific area 
• Option to connect with support groups and individuals living with HIV/AIDS  
• Option to access resources for HIV/AIDS education and prevention.

These are just a few of the many ideas for successful healthcare apps. With the right combination of features and user-friendly design, these apps can help healthcare professionals provide better care to their patients and improve health outcomes for everyone.