At first glance, the marriage of healthcare and mobile apps might seem a strange one. Many people have a fairly rarefied view of medical appointments. They would never imagine incorporating their smartphones into the management of their personal health. But as access to—and acceptance of—digital solutions becomes more commonplace, the healthcare market is seeing the beginnings of enormous disruptions to the status quo. According to a 2017 report from the IQVIA Institute for Human Data Science, there are currently more than 318,000 mobile health, or mHealth, apps available worldwide. What’s more, there are more every day.
Mobile Health Apps Come in Various Styles
Mobile health apps can take many forms. You have probably encountered at least one. Ranging in focus from nutrition and fitness to mental and medical health, the field is a broad one. One of the more recognizable fitness apps is Youtube star Cassey Ho’s Blogilates. There’s also Under Armour’s MyFitnessPal app, which helps track a user’s diet and count calories.
However, more and more developers are seeing the app-creating opportunities that abound with medical health. For example, recent research by Accenture shows that 75% of surveyed consumers consider technology important to managing their health. What’s more, the number of people who use mHealth apps and their accompanying wearable technology has more than doubled since 2014, from 16% to 48%.
Demand for Mobile Health Apps is Growing
The fact is that as consumers become more tech-literate on average, demand for mHealth apps will continue to increase. The “anytime, anywhere” factor of having tools to manage your health in your pocket is a major factor driving that demand. Medical Economics reports that even as far back as 2010, 79% of survey respondents would be more likely to select a healthcare provider who allows them to conduct healthcare interactions either online or on a mobile device.
And if all that doesn’t convince you that it’s an exciting time to be in the mHealth app market, then consider this: Research and Markets projected the 2018 value of the mHealth market to be US$28.320 billion. What’s more, they expect it to climb to US$102.35 billion within five years.
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Of Course, There’s Always a Catch
Earlier, when we stated that there are more mHealth apps available each day, we meant it. Some estimates hold that there are two hundred mobile health apps being added to the market each day. Therefore, if you are aiming to enter the growing mHealth arena, it’s vital to enter with your best foot forward. That means that you will want to get your mobile app professionally developed as soon as possible.
Going with an innovative, experienced app developer will help your app establish itself. Smaller mobile app developers, such as the highly regarded Guaraná Technologies, will provide the insight and know-how you’ll need to take your concept to market. Plus, you’ll have the added assurance of knowing that your app won’t be lost in the shuffle of a larger app farm.
The market may be ripe for new entries. However, those entries will need to be as strong as possible before they are introduced. Therefore, don’t hesitate to get the professional insight that will make the difference.
The MHealth Field Is Sure to Grow
Human health is a big field, and the opportunities to connect patients and mHealth apps are endless. The market is growing, and that growth shows absolutely no sign of slowing down anytime soon. From individual states launching their own mHealth app for state residents to apps and technology aimed at ever more specific medical purposes, there is plenty of yet-undiscovered territory. Now is the time to make it yours.
