8 Types of Healthcare Software: Features & Benefits

The increasing awareness of digital health value, the shift towards value-based care post-pandemic, the growing usage of big data in healthcare management, and chronic disease support the widespread growth of the global healthcare IT market. On the other hand, advanced software development capabilities and AI in healthcare have made accessing medical services easier. The current healthcare IT market is growing at 13.8% and will reach $511.06 billion by 2027.

Therefore, healthcare providers are always searching for new technology that improves patient care and streamlines healthcare facility operations at scale. This has resulted in a number of healthcare software development companies in the USA that intend to streamline specific operations. Some healthcare software targets patients, while others are for clinical research, clinical management, and diagnostics. So, check out the detailed guide on the top 8 healthcare software types to help you make an informed decision.

8 Types of Healthcare Software

1. Electronic health records software
2. Telemedicine software
3. Hospital management software
4. Health tracking apps
5. E-prescribing software
6. Healthcare billing software
7. Medical image analysis software
8. Personal healthcare record software

Electronic Health Records Software

This is one of the highly used and beneficial software developed for healthcare providers to store and manage the medical history of patients, like what they need and what medication has been provided. It also includes the results of the previous and current treatment diagnoses. It eliminates the need for manual work and patient data management, minimizing the workload of healthcare facilities and hospitals.

Having patients' entire medical history at their fingertips helps doctors treat them efficiently. They can have a look at previous diagnoses and medication they have been prescribed to evaluate what patients may need and how to prevent future complications. There are two EHRs; you can choose the best one according to your requirements.

Electronic Medical Records Software

On a digital chart, EMR software stores end-to-end information about medications, medical history, tests, diagnoses, and more.

Electronic Patient Record Software

EPR software is all about managing and optimizing complete information about patients and their medical history, particularly for doctors.

Features

• Patients' charts and records
• Prescription and test management
• E-prescription tool
• Patient portal
• Physician decision support
• Integration

Benefits

• Detailed patient's health history
• Health record accessibility in real-time
• Paperless health operation management
• Time-saving and productivity booster
• HIPAA-compliant records
• Improve patient care over time
• Minimized errors

Considering the current digitalization needs in the healthcare industry, EHRs are the next and essential step toward continued progress. They strengthen the bond between patients and clinicians and foster personalization. 

Telemedicine Software

Besides EHR, telemedicine is also a rapidly growing segment in the health industry, which is about to reach a value of $286 billion. Post-pandemic, the need for online consulting has intensified, resulting in the rise of telehealth software. It is the best-fit solution for people who live in rural areas or frequently travel with people with disabilities. It is quickly becoming the must-have software for everyone to avail themselves of online consultation with minimum interaction in closed hospitals.

Leading telemedicine software establishes a reliable channel between a doctor and a patient to communicate and get answers to their inquiries. It also allows you to set up a consultation, monitor the online treatment, or conduct quick online checkups. It also helps patients save time traveling to healthcare facilities and avail of medical assistance on demand from anywhere. Because of all these benefits, the telemedicine app development rate has been increasing as it offers a growth strategy for healthcare software development companies in the USA.

Features

• Smooth patient registration 
• Patient's dashboard 
• Doctor catalog 
• Appointment management 
• Audio/video/text consultation 
• Geolocation 
• EHR 
• Payment gateway 
• E-prescription 
• App scalability 
• Qualitative video streaming 
• Interoperability 
• Low hardware requirements

Benefits

• Access to specialized care 
• Decreased infection risks 
• Consistent healthcare assistance 
• Improved patient engagement 
• Beneficial for people with chronological conditions 
• Increased patient satisfaction 
• Drive patient loyalty

By implementing telehealth software, medical organizations can ensure effective communication with patients, simplify daily workflows, and ensure efficient monitoring. It improves patient access to care and healthcare delivery and drives better health. It gives the feel of in-person care. 

Hospital Management Software

Hospital management software means the medical organizations can optimize their daily clinical and hospital operations, including scheduling visits and generating invoices. They can integrate this software with your electronic health record system and monitor patient information, payment details, insurance details, and more.

Top hospital management software aims to automate all administrative tasks and minimize the manual task burden on in-house staff. This software also simplifies daily processes and increases operational efficiency at scale. It also improves the overall patient experience without disturbing them by asking or sharing details back and forth.

Features

• Inventory management 
• Data analytics and reporting 
• Mobile app 
• Patient portal and dashboards 
• Patient scheduling systems 
• Ward and bed management 
• Electric medical record management 
• Laboratory management 
• Digital imaging and diagnostic management

Benefits

• Reduced workload and costs 
• Enhanced data security 
• Improved patients experience 
• Better revenue management 
• Improved decision making 
• Automated medical billing 
• Improved claim management 
• Error reduction

Every medical facility is bound to record death and birth records, which can be a bit tough to manage manually. So, having an HMS makes sharing reports faster within the given time frame. Moreover, it helps with coordinated and rapid care, minimizes cost, reduces waiting time and readmission, and improves patient safety and clinical care. 

Health Tracking Apps

These kinds of healthcare software development in the USA are becoming hot favorites as they allow people and doctors to track their diets, physical activities, and movements. The latest type includes maintaining your mental health. However, we do not categorize this application under healthcare software products. Still, we can count them as added resources to keep the data patient data about their daily routine, including food habits.

Wearable devices are also trending to track overall health. Software gets integrated with wearable devices that keep track of your heart rate, sleep time, movement, and more. For example, Fitbit, Apple Watch, and more. Well, this software is more than that; healthcare software development companies in the USA went beyond and started manufacturing devices like wristbands, bracelets, and rings that help patients with infertility, diabetes, and other health challenges.

Features

• Location tracker 
• Personalization 
• Gamification 
• Leaderboard and chat 
• Heart rate monitor 
• Online consultation 
• Time-based activities summaries 
• Push notifications

Benefits

• Monitors heart health 
• Managed diabetes 
• Health tools 
• Tailored goals and activities 
• Setting up health goals 
• Device synchronization

Now, wearable devices are more than fancy accessories. 75% of patients agree that health-tracking apps and wearable health devices are the best way to monitor their health. Therefore, their adoption is increasing among both patients and regular users since more individuals want to be active regarding their health. 

E-Prescribing Software

Patients visit clinics to get handwritten prescriptions for medication. E-prescription software has turned this situation upside down by making this service completely available online. Electronic prescription is the procedure through which medical professionals store prescription data in a cloud-based system and send prescriptions to pharmacies instantly.

With just a few clicks, healthcare providers can select and place prescription orders. They can also pick widely used prescriptions and quickly access their go-to drugs. Once they choose the prescription, your pharmacy receives it, which can be modified at any time via the patient portal on this software. This facility is a trademark of an integrated pharmacy management system. It assures that changes at your convenience. The pharmacy starts processing the prescription once they receive the request from the clinic.

Features

• Electronic prior approval
• Medication decision support
• Formulary checking
• Patient health record information
• User dashboard
• Tracking prescription fulfillment
• Generation and submission of drug fulfillment

Benefits

• Eliminates prescription drug errors
• Complete patient medical history
• Smooth tracking of prescription refill
• Meeting meaningful use requirements
• Reduced lost prescriptions

E-prescribing software increases prescribers, pharmacies, and patients, increases medication adherence, and helps everyone involved. From doctors prescribing medicine to pharmacies giving it to patients, e-prescribing software streamlines the entire process without any disruptions. 

Healthcare Billing Software

Healthcare service providers currently need medical billing software. This software simplifies the overall payment and invoicing process, reducing time and resource consumption. It also reduces the risk of manual errors and saves you from reputational harm.

You can integrate medical billing applications with your accounting management software to offer a smooth user experience and synchronization. This enables the healthcare service provider to improve reimbursement rates, increase revenue streams, and maintain financial stability. Besides managing and tracking claims and payments, medical billing software can manage numerous tasks in a matter of seconds.

Features

• Electronic remittance 
• Claim processing 
• Payment reminders 
• Eligibility verification 
• Electronic superbill 
• Reporting and analytics 
• Patient health records 
      

Benefits

• Improved cash flow 
• Enhanced patient experience 
• Reduced paperwork and manual work 
• Reduced error rate 
• Improved daily operation speed
• Enhance financial reporting 
• Improved patient care

Medical billing software is a way to modernize your conventional approach and pay more attention to patient care and long-term retention amid the highly competitive environment. Besides that, it helps you establish a well-run practice by managing claims and medical billing efficiently. 

Medical Image Analysis Software

Medical image analysis software leverages advanced imaging technologies and deep learning techniques to enhance diagnostic accuracy and efficiency. This software can independently identify clinical irregularities in diverse modalities like CT scans, MRIs, and echocardiograms. Processing large volumes of images swiftly streamlines workflows for radiologists, highlighting critical findings for focused review.

As the software evolves, it not only assists in diagnosing and monitoring disease progression but also supports better patient outcomes by allowing clinicians to concentrate on significant abnormalities. Investing in healthcare software development helps you transform healthcare delivery and improve operational efficiency in medical practices.

Features

• 2D visualization 
• Image registration and segmentation 
• 3D constructions 
• Image qualification 
• Image quality improvement

Benefits

• Better diagnostic benefits 
• Improved resource utilization 
• Improved precision medicines 
• Better triage techniques 
• Upgraded storage and security 
• Earlier intervention opportunities 
• Scalability and operational efficiency

Medical image analysis software allows researchers and medical device manufacturers to reduce clinical errors, needless tests, and chances of misdiagnosis cases and uplift the care quality. 

Personal Healthcare Record Software

This innovative healthcare software development approach serves as a comprehensive repository for family members' medical histories, providing patients with an organized, user-friendly interface for all health-related documentation. 

As a vital component of custom healthcare software development, Personal Health Record (PHR) software optimizes patient monitoring by granting easy access to crucial medical data. Through features like push notifications and advanced data analytics, users are kept informed about their health status and upcoming tasks.

By centralizing personal health information, this tool not only simplifies administrative processes but also acts as a proactive wellness program, empowering patients to manage medical conditions and adopt healthier lifestyles. From streamlining documentation to customizing wellness plans and alerting medical professionals in emergencies, PHR software enhances both patient engagement and clinical outcomes.

Features

• Data segmentation and aggregation 
• Summarization module 
• Tailored telemedicine and telehealth 
• Cloud and mobile implementation 
• Clinical and patient data repository

Benefits

• Improved patient data access 
• Enhanced patient engagement 
• Minimized administrative costs 
• Improved communication between patient and caretaker 
• Family healthcare management 

Having important health information like lab results, screening due dates, and immunization records on patients' fingertips makes it easy to share their records. PHRs are powerful tools to manage patients' health from everywhere anytime. 

Future of Healthcare Software 

Adopting the right healthcare software is essential to enhance operational efficiency and patient care. From electronic health records to telemedicine solutions, each type of healthcare software development offers unique features that streamline processes, improve data management, and facilitate better communication. By investing in these technologies, healthcare organizations can not only meet regulatory demands but also drive innovation and patient satisfaction. The future of healthcare hinges on these advancements, making it imperative for leaders to prioritize the adoption of effective software solutions.

Author Bio

Prathik Kantesiya is a senior content writer at Agile Infoways LLC and a former English literature student, seamlessly blends his passion for writing with trending technologies and crafts engaging content.

About the Author

Prathik Kantesiya Senior Content Writer at Agile Infoways LLC

Prathik, a senior content writer at Agile Infoways LLC and a former English literature student, seamlessly blends his passion for writing with trending technologies and crafts engaging content. He explores the intersection of innovation and human experience through his writing. His greatest dream is to make the target audience pause, smile & click!

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