How UI/UX Design Can Improve Patient Engagement in Healthcare Apps

The digital health market in the United States has seen exponential growth in the past few years, especially after the pandemic. According to Statista*, the U.S. digital health market is expected to reach $50.17 billion by 2024, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.48% from 2024 to 2028.

The growing demand for digital healthcare services is fueled by improved internet connectivity and the widespread use of smartphones and healthcare apps. However, a user-friendly and effective UI/UX design is crucial for these applications to truly enhance healthcare delivery.

Mirra Health Care’s full-stack development services include adaptable web application design that not only ensures 508 compliances but also helps businesses streamline workflows and ensure better patient engagement through user experience optimization.

What is Healthcare UX?

Healthcare UX (User Experience) refers to the design of the user experience for any healthcare-related product or service. This can include functionalities like electronic health records, disease management support, doctor appointment scheduling, and more. The goal of healthcare UX is to optimize user experience by creating intuitive, efficient, and user-friendly interfaces and experiences for patients, providers, and other healthcare stakeholders. 

Read More: How 508 Standard Compliance is Shaping Healthcare UI/UX

The Impact of COVID-19 on Healthcare UI/UX

The COVID-19 pandemic led to a surge in global demand for digital healthcare services. Telehealth revenues grew 83% in 2021 compared to 2019, according to a report by McKinsey.

Traditionally, healthcare has been slow to adopt new technologies, with a 10-year gap between it and other sectors in digitizing processes. Bureaucracy, compliance requirements, and other unique needs of the healthcare business make product development cycles lengthy and expensive.

However, the pandemic catalyzed investment and innovation in digital health, leading to new digital products and business models that continue to shape the future of healthcare.

Why is UX Design Important in Healthcare?

1. Improved User Engagement and Satisfaction

A well-designed app is intuitive, easy to navigate, and caters to user needs. It helps increase user engagement and satisfaction, encouraging users to return to the app and utilize its functionalities.

2. Increased User Adoption and Retention

A user-friendly app is more likely to be adopted by a wider audience and retain users in the long term. That’s why healthcare businesses should consult a reputed full-stack development service provider to design an app that increases user adoption and retention.

3. Enhanced Patient-Provider Communication and Collaboration

User-friendly healthcare apps optimize user experience and empower users to participate proactively in their wellness journey and care management plans by providing easy access to information, reminders, and tools for tracking health data.

4. Streamlined Workflows and Improved Operational Efficiency

Features like online appointment scheduling, automated prescription refills, and secure communication tools can significantly improve operational efficiency.

Mirra’s Medicare-in-a-Box solution offers comprehensive full-stack development services. Our services include creating engaging and scalable web applications that enhance the patient experience and operational workflow and ensure sustainable growth. We specialize in mobile app development for iOS and Android, crafting intuitive and user-centric UI/UX designs that cater to the needs of patients, providers, payers, and policymakers.

Key UI/UX Design Principles for Healthcare Apps

1. Understanding User Needs

The foundation of good design lies in understanding who your target users are. User research, encompassing surveys, interviews, and usability testing, allows designers to identify user personas, major pain points, and user expectations. This user-centric approach ensures the app caters to real needs and solves user problems.

Through Mirra's full-stack development services, we identify user personas and pain points through user research and optimize user experience to ensure the app caters to the real needs of users.

2. Simplicity and Intuitiveness

Imagine if an elderly user experiences a migraine. In such situations, a clear and clutter-free interface can help him navigate the required information and solutions easily.

Prioritize intuitive navigation structures with clear icons, logical layouts, and easy-to-understand menus. Designers should avoid unnecessary animations and distractions to prevent any complexity. A minimalist design not only optimizes better user experience but also builds trust by conveying professionalism.

Mirra's user interface designers and full-stack developers prioritize clear interfaces and logical layouts for a seamless user experience.

3. Accessibility for All Users

Inclusivity should be one of the core principles behind creating a user-friendly healthcare app. This means incorporating features like voice commands, screen reader compatibility, high-contrast text options, and keyboard navigation.

Mirra’s user interface designers and full-stack developers incorporate features like screen reader compatibility and high-contrast text options to ensure accessibility for all users and optimize user experience.

4. Visually Appealing and Trustworthy Design

Healthcare apps need to be visually appealing without compromising on clarity. Utilize calming color schemes and clean and legible fonts for optimal readability and optimize user experience.

Also, focus on building a consistent visual brand identity across the app to strengthen user recognition and trustworthiness. When users see the app's logo and color scheme repeatedly, they develop a sense of familiarity and feel comfortable interacting with the app.

5. Data Security and Privacy

Implement robust security measures such as secure login procedures, data encryption, and adherence to data privacy regulations to ensure data protection. Healthcare businesses should also prioritize transparency by providing users with clear information about how their data is collected, stored, and used. This builds trust and ensures ethical practices.

Mirra’s full-stack developers prioritize robust security measures like encryption and access controls to safeguard patient data. We adhere to data privacy regulations and offer transparency about data usage, ensuring patient privacy is never compromised.

The Future of Healthcare Apps

With technological advancements, healthcare apps are also leveraging user data and preferences to optimize and personalize user experiences. Imagine an app that recommends healthy recipes based on dietary needs or suggests personalized fitness goals tailored to user activity levels – that’s where healthcare apps are heading.

• Internet of Things (IoT) Technology

The integration of wearable devices and Internet of Things (IoT) technology with healthcare apps can provide real-time health monitoring. It is possible to integrate blood pressure readings from a smartwatch or sleep data from a sleep tracker to offer users a comprehensive view of their health data.

• Voice User Interfaces

Voice User Interfaces (VUIs) complement traditional Graphical User Interfaces (GUIs) by offering a user-friendly and safe way to interact with healthcare systems.

One such example is the use of interactive voice calls to engage patients. These calls can guide patients through pre-procedure steps, remind them about checkups, collect feedback, and more. This alleviates the burden on medical staff, allowing them to dedicate their expertise where it's needed most.

• Artificial Intelligence

The use of artificial intelligence (AI) powered chatbots and virtual assistants has enhanced patient support significantly within healthcare apps. These virtual assistants can answer user questions, optimize user experience, provide basic health information, and even schedule appointments, freeing up time for healthcare providers to focus on complex cases.

The Bottom Line

As healthcare businesses continue to evolve with technological advancements, user-friendly and innovative healthcare apps will have more power to transform healthcare delivery. Mirra's full-stack development and user interface design services integrate inclusivity and regulatory aspects seamlessly into the development process. Our advanced marketing solutions also ensure smooth data flow and a more efficient user experience. Furthermore, Mirra's commitment to data security aligns perfectly with the importance of protecting user privacy within healthcare apps. Connect with Mirra today!

*Data retrieved from Statista. (n.d.). Digital Health - United States | Statista market forecast.