Mental Health App Development: Everything You Need to Know About Latest Trends & Challenges

Mental health app is the use of mobile technology in the healthcare sector to improve communication between doctors and patients. It provides easy access to patient records, and monitor chronic disease without location being a constraint. An increasingly digital landscape and the COVID-19 pandemic have put the spotlight squarely on mental health. Most people are looking for cheaper and faster diagnosis and treatment and that’s exactly what mental brings to the table. But like any other emerging technology-based service, there are some challenges associated with mental health app development as well. Let’s look at the trends and challenges of mental health software development and how you can face them head-on.

Mental Health App/Software Development Trends 2021

Here’s a deep dive into the technological trends in Mental health:

Artificial Intelligence:

In 2021, it’s safe to assume that AI will have a part to play in any new technology. In fact, according to a report by Accenture, healthcare ranks higher than other industries in terms of the use of artificial intelligence. Mental health apps and tracking devices gather patient data. But apart from that, it’s AI can process the data and analyze it to create actionable next steps. At present, artificial intelligence is aiding medical professionals in better managing huge blocks of medical data. In the future, AI is expected to help mental health apps diagnose patients based on their past medical records and present symptoms.

IOMT:

The Internet of Medical Things (IOMT) helps medical devices connect and share health data that is gathered from numerous tracking devices. With IOMT, doctors can monitor the health of patients remotely. And it is a life-saving option for patients who live in remote parts without access to proper healthcare. IOMT enabled medical devices can measure heart rate, glucose level, blood pressure, and much more. And it helps to give doctors a clear picture of the patient’s vitals. The number of IOMT devices is expected to witness a sharp jump to almost 30 million by 2021 as opposed to 4.5 billion in 2015.

Blockchain:

Blockchain is a way of recording information that makes it almost impossible to hack or alter. This technology has already been adopted by various industries, and healthcare is in on it too. According to a report, by 2026 the applications of the blockchain in the healthcare market are expected to be worth more than $5.5 million. Blockchain is of great advantage for the healthcare industry since it can help keep medical data secure and make sharing it safe. Since patient data is super confidential and the rising menace of cybersecurity, blockchain provides some sort of protection against data breaches. Blockchain is still being incorporated into the healthcare industry and the process won’t be quick. However, unlocking the blockchain’s potential for healthcare won’t be a quick process.

The Challenges of Mental Health Software Development

Like any other app or service that majorly utilizes technology, mental health apps also face their fair share of challenges. Here’s a look at some of the challenges of mental health software development:

Outdated healthcare infrastructure:

One of the biggest potential challenges for mental health app development is the complex nature of healthcare infrastructure. nowadays, almost everyone from doctors and nurses to patients and caregivers owns a mobile phone. But mobile app adoption in the healthcare industry hasn’t been great due to implementation challenges. Since the healthcare IT infrastructure is already pretty complex with multiple systems, bringing in the additional complexity of mobility might make things more complicated. The only way to deal with this challenge is for the mental health app developer to examine the IT infrastructure of the implementation environment and then plan the switch accordingly.

Data safety concerns:

Data security, especially when it comes to patient records and data, is not just a regulatory requirement. It is also an ethical one. Healthcare organizations cannot take data security lightly. Especially when bringing in mental health app solutions increases the risk of data breaches. It’s a known fact that mobile healthcare solutions are more likely to experience data theft since the data is exchanged over wireless networks. For instance, if a doctor uses his mobile device to access or share confidential patient health data, a lack of proper security measures can cause the data to be leaked. To ensure the risk of data breaches is minimal, healthcare providers need to tie up with the best mental health app developer.

Multiple devices:

The healthcare space has recently been flooded with a wide range of new devices. It includes voice-enabled devices, smartphones, smart TVs, and more. Finding the right devices, and more importantly, ensuring the patients use the right device is of absolute importance. Then there’s also the issue of compatibility. For instance, a device that works in an android phone might not work on iOS devices. Mental health app developers need to ensure that there’s some semblance of uniformity when setting up an app for a healthcare provider.

Compliance issues:

One of the biggest challenges faced during mental health app development is complying with health care regulations. Each country has a unique set of compliances that need to be factored in when developing a Mental health app. For instance, if you’re launching an app for the US, you will need to comply with the PHI and HIPAA regulations. There are also CCPA, NIST, and GDPR rules that need to be factored in. For any healthcare organization looking to launch their Mental health software globally, following all these different rules and regulations becomes quite a challenge. This is where a healthcare software development platform like Panther can step in and help.

How to develop the best Software/App

Developing an app from scratch is a big task, especially when it’s a mental health app. Panther can help you successfully launch a the same without investing a fortune and years of hard work. Panther is a health app development platform. Using which you can create a mental health app to take your health care services online. Some features that make Panther the go-to solution for mental health software development include:

• With Panther’s mental health app development services, you can allow patients and doctors to book an appointment using the app. Once an appointment is booked, patients will get automated reminders to ensure they don’t miss the appointment. The app also enables doctors to manage appointments through a powerful scheduler.
• Personalize your mental health software and make it your own with Panther. From the layout to the color scheme and text, you can choose every element of your app.
• The biggest draw of using a mental health software is the voice and video calling feature that allows patients to connect with doctors irrespective of their location. Using the built-in call feature doctors can provide expert consultation on the app itself.
• Panther’s mental health app makes tracking patient medical history through patient history much easier. You can also keep other team members in the loop regarding a patient’s condition via private notes.
• With Panther’s mental health app, patients can ask questions and get recommendations from doctors at any time. The real-time chat feature is of great help to patients who tend to get anxious easily.

Partner with Panther and build your own mental health software. Get in touch with our team of experts and learn more about how we can help you create a mental health app that meets all your criteria and requirements.