Software outsourcing has long been thought of as an indispensable asset by the technology and finance industries. However, the rise of the Internet of Things and increased demand for advanced medical technologies from professionals and patients alike has led the medical device and healthcare industry to begin using nearshore development services in order to meet market demands. This has resulted in an increased prominence for tech-focused healthcare executives like Chief Information Officers, and a race to hire the best talent in the field.
Increased Demand for Healthcare Software
One of the main sources of demand for healthcare software is from clinicians. Doctors, nurses, and other practitioners are demanding the same sort of well-crafted, intuitive software that regular everyday people have come to expect. Software is currently being developed to meet the demand for high-quality patient records, physician order entry, and clinical decision making. In addition, software is also being released for the administrative wing of the healthcare industry, with a focus on registration, admission, and discharge application, as well as asset management. The rise of data analytics also means that the industry will continue to utilize ever-more complex performance analysis and management systems in the near future.
Another major driver of healthcare software demand comes from the patient end. Modern-day consumers have come to expect access to top-of-the-line software that makes their lives easier–and their expectations of healthcare companies are no different. Consumer demand has resulted in the release of a wide array of applications, including patient portals that can be used to quickly recall medical information, communicate with their healthcare practitioners, and remind themselves of key appointments and dates.
The industry has also begun to release well-crafted informational and educational apps aimed at a wide audience. The huge demand for tech talent has caused many of the most well-respected firms to turn to nearshore software development as the solution to their hiring needs. Read on to learn exactly how these companies have impacted the healthcare industry.
Electronic Health Records
Electronic health records (EHR) have served as the backbone of the modern healthcare system for the past several decades. These digital records have released patients from the burden of hand carrying the single extant copy of their medical records from their old doctor to their new medical office, but medical professionals have long complained about the different programs’ steep learning curves and lack of standardization. While the healthcare industry is a long way away from having a set of standardized and accurate EHRs, progress has been made to improve terminology and to add structure to the way that data is compiled. Many of these hospitals have reached out to nearshore development services to find crucial experience and project management skills necessary to create custom software in line with changing industry standards.
Software As a Medical Device
Software as a Medical Device (SaMD) refers to software that is destined for medical applications without becoming a component of a larger piece of medical hardware. Traditional medical software includes the type of programs that power X-ray equipment, MRI machines, and other devices. SaMD, on the other hand, refers to medical software that functions independently of a piece of medical equipment. The imaging software on a physician’s computer is a good example. Nearshore software development has been a go-to resource for companies intent on developing SaMD, since the best of these firms have the institutional knowledge and experienced engineers necessary to complete custom software on-time and under-budget.
Cybersecurity
Just like their counterparts in the finance and customer service industries, healthcare executives have also taken serious note of the threat posed by hackers and other malicious actors. Data breaches were at an all-time high in 2018 and the amount and sophistication of these attacks are only expected to increase. That’s why the best managers in the industry are placing a special focus on cybersecurity during their software development cycles and throughout their entire organizations. One of the best ways that healthcare companies have integrated security into their products is by turning to nearshore development services with experienced security experts who can ensure that their patients’ data is protected and their reputation remains secure.
Data Analytics
For nearly every industry in the world, one conclusion has become inescapable: data analytics are the key to success in the future. Companies of all sizes have begun to realize that data analytics are the best way to reduce costs, improve efficiency, and reach a larger customer base than ever–and the healthcare industry is no different. One of the most promising areas for data research is clinical outcomes. Recent developments in machine learning mean that doctors will soon be able to perform complex analyses of their patients’ healthcare outcomes, allowing them to identify effective treatments and improve care. These systems are also being used by administrators to increase hospital efficiency and to divert money to where it can be used most effectively.
Paul Azorín is the Founder and Chief Technology Officer at BairesDev. He is responsible for coordinating the technology department as well as the Presales team. Paul also leads the Marketing and Communications team and works passionately to communicate the identity and values of the company.
Paul holds a bachelor’s degree in Software Engineering and is self-taught in several programming languages. With over ten years experience working as a Software Architect, Paul still holds a love for development that transfers into everything he does.
