The modern age of the internet is dominated by new applications development and upgrading existing versions of the software. Initially, most of the mobile phone applications were built with the idea of providing an interface between two parties. Healthcare application development was also focused on the same concept i.e. to provide a communication platform for patients and medical professionals. In the initial stages of development, these apps acted as a bridge between patients and doctors allowing them to interact with each other on a real-time basis in the absence of medical intermediaries. Since then, they have seen enormous developmental changes. Applications are available on both the Android platform as well as iOS platforms. As per some market estimates, the availability of healthcare applications online has increased by almost two folds since the year 2017. It is also believed that almost two-thirds of these applications offer generic information about fitness and basic health problems. Other applications provide specific ailment based guidelines for both physical and mental health
problems.

Research has also pointed out that many of the healthcare applications are commonly downloaded by users across the globe. These apps motivate users to stay healthy. Statistics also point out that application development in the healthcare industry is also picking up with the latest trends. Below is a list of trends that will significantly influence the Healthcare application development in 2018.

1. Telemedicine

Telemedicine is a novel way to assist both the ailing patients as well as the consulting doctors. Telemedicine is the technology of using telecommunications to diagnose patients from a remote location. This novel idea is being adopted gradually. Patients no longer need to travel all the way to the hospital or doctors clinic, but instead can use the telemedicine technology to get treated from the comforts of their home. This can be extremely useful for patients with a chronic disease. Healthcare applications are being developed to improve the telemedicine form of treatment. Not only do these applications make it convenient, it has other benefits as well. Telemedicine has the ability to systematically reduce travel costs and hospitalization expenses for the patients. Some statistics have estimated that over 50% of the patients surveyed are receptive to the idea of being diagnosed and treated remotely.

This is definitely one of the emerging trends in 2018 and we can surely hope to see more applications promoting telemedicine. As per some market research data, the telemedicine has generated a revenue of over $14 billion in the year 2014. The same research expects to see an
an increase of three times by the year 2020.

2. Blockchain

The Blockchain is the revolutionary technology that is responsible for the infamous cryptocurrency space. Blockchain network stores information in the form of blocks with the help of a publicly distributed ledger technology using a cryptographic encryption. This data can be accessed from any node in the network. The potential uses of this technology are immense. The healthcare application development space is also widely adopting this technology. The Blockchain technology can improve the system for maintaining records about patient information. Specifics about the personal information of the patient, past and current medical conditions, details of insurance, and doctors notes on the diagnosis and treatments could be stored in a single blockchain network. An application can be developed to facilitate all the related parties to access this information. Till now, there was no system to which offered information security simultaneously with efficient data management and ease of access. Development of the Blockchain has changed this scenario.

3. Artificial intelligence

Like the Blockchain network tech, another emerging frontier in the field of scientific innovation is the technology of Artificial Intelligence. Artificial Intelligence technology can be employed for handling the vast amounts of data about patients, their ailments, the diagnosis and course of treatment. AI has the potential to analyze this vast amount of information and come up with recurring health patterns and trends. Artificial intelligence coupled with predictive analysis can be used to support the opinions of doctors. Needless to say, the quality of medical diagnosis is sure to improve. With a higher level of accuracy rate, this system can also be developed to diagnose patients even in the absence of medical professionals. Some experts are debating the use of AI to spot errors made by doctors. AI can be used to eliminate the component of human error from the field of medicine. Artificial Intelligence is suitable for handling complex and life- risking surgeries

4. The Internet of Things (IoT)

The Internet of Things or IoT is a network that connects physical devices through the internet. The Internet of Things connects physical and analog devices to the internet with the help of actuators and sensors. This makes it possible for the devices to communicate with each other and exchange data over the internet. Health care researchers are figuring out ways to onboard this technology and improve the quality of medical services. Developers are constantly working on linking healthcare apps with the IoT. This move can comprehensively enhance the healthcare system. Another benefit of mapping healthcare applications with the IoT is that it can give the doctors valuable information about the health of the patient and enable them to monitor the patient’s progress.
The IoT can also be linked to other advanced medical devices used during treatments. That way, data collected during the treatment procedure can be recorded on a real-time basis and accessed at a future data both the doctors and patients.

5. Big Data technology 

Big Data technology can also boost the Medicare services. It has the immense capacity for making the record retention process easier in medical institutions. In 2017, efforts were made to introduce and implement the system of EHR with the help of big data technology. EHR stands for Electronic Health Records or maintains patient information in the electronic form. It includes the medical history and medications prescribed to the patient, symptoms, and diagnosis of the diseases, treatment plans or course of treatment. Big data can also boost predictive analysis about the patient's medical condition. In addition, big data has the potential to offer a simplified solution for data management of the clinics and hospitals.