In the best of times, it’s hard to find solutions that work for all users required by a healthcare application. That coupled with strict regulatory and ethical considerations makes finding or developing solutions for this space a unique challenge.
Healthcare solutions, at their core, should be about allowing those using the system to do their job as quickly and efficiently as possible. Design systems to be flexible while continuing to meet critical criteria such as usability, compliance, and security. In this vein, we are sharing the best practices that we find valuable when designing an application:
Clean User Interface
- A clean UI that works on all mobile platforms and guides users through the application process with little to no need for familiarization or training.
- Workers should be required to key as little data as possible.
- Use programming techniques involving dropdowns, prefilled fields, default settings, etc. to make quick, useable applications.
- Leverage the VAST amount of data you already have regarding a patient or disease to make interviews/visits as quickly as possible.
- Ensure that the application is device responsive and works well visually and functionally on all device types.
Connect Data Silos
- Data needs to be relevant and connected to backend systems.
- Don’t bemoan that specialized systems inevitably create data silos. Leverage tools such as RPA to do the heavy lifting to efficiently integrate data between siloed systems and front ends.
- Put the extra effort into building flexible frameworks that handle future integrations. Investments in good foundational design pay back dividends in the long run.
- Whenever possible, pass information through an intermediary/broker system instead of directly connecting systems. This gives extra flexibility, resilience, and supportability.
Provide Access to Data
- Enable secure access to data from multiple platforms.
- Use Cloud to enable access for multiple users from multiple locations.
- Cloud also allows systems to scale processing power as needed by providing a pay-as-you-go model.
Ensure Secure Data Access
- Use standard healthcare protocols to secure data and meet compliance.
- Use off the shelf solutions for data encryption in transmission and at rest wherever possible. Don’t reinvent the wheel – take advantage of using sound, tested tools that meet required compliance and security functionality in Healthcare.
- Encrypt data at rest using AES 128/256 bit encryption and data in transit should be encrypted by a secured certificate.
Due to the many processes and necessary steps/protocol required of Healthcare applications, writing and delivering usable Healthcare applications can be more of an art than a science.
Following the above guidelines ensures that Healthcare applications meet the principals needed for producing functional, compliant, modern applications. The kind of applications that allow Healthcare workers to successfully approach their jobs with as little obstacles as possible.
Contact Us if you need help in developing compliant, functional, modern applications.
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