The growth of the telehealth market comes from two reasons:

• A shift in health awareness after the Covid-19 pandemic
• Today, half of the population lives in remote areas, without access to timely healthcare services (according to the United Nations).

Remote patient monitoring software development is the solution to these issues. As of 2023, the remote patient monitoring market reached a value of $1.6 billion and is expected to grow at a rate of 11.7% to reach $3.4 billion by 2030. 

More people are indeed becoming concerned about their health. If you don’t want to fall behind in a rapidly growing telehealth market, you should start learning about developing a remote patient monitoring system. Start by reading the article below to learn more about the development of remote patient monitoring software. 

What is a remote patient monitoring system?

Remote patient monitoring system refers to any technology or process that healthcare providers use to monitor key vital signs. Beyond being a tool for tracking patient vitals, the remote patient monitoring system also leverages technological advancements (like IoT) to collect patient data outside clinics and hospitals.

Based on where it’s used, remote patient monitoring technology can be divided into two types: remote (at home) and bedside (in hospitals or clinics). Many different monitoring systems would relate to each of them, such as:

• Cardiac monitoring: Designed specifically to monitor patients using pacemakers, defibrillators, cardiac resynchronization devices, implanted heart monitors, etc., track the condition of the patient with low-amplitude signals in real-time at a distance.
• Basic vital sign monitoring: Monitors basic physiological parameters like blood sugar, oxygen saturation, blood pressure, etcetera, with compact, portable devices like smartwatches and digital stethoscopes. Transfers the information to the health providers. 
• Pregnancy monitoring: Data is gathered regarding maternal and fetal health, and abnormalities as minor will be outlined.
• Depression monitoring: It can monitor depression by measuring heart rate, and blood pressure, and tracking sleep patterns or physical activities with changes in mood and depressive symptoms.

Key features of remote patient monitoring system

In remote patient monitoring software development, identifying the core features plays a crucial role in the success of the software. Normally, a feature set of a remote health monitoring system depends on the specific needs of healthcare organizations. As an example, in the case of remote patients, a clinic may have to implement a custom set of features for patients who deal with cardiovascular diseases, though the obstetrics clinic needs to develop such systems for monitoring expectant mothers and fetuses in real time.

Based on the assessment of the top 10 remote patient monitoring companies, we have compiled the features common to any remote patient monitoring system:

No.	Features	Description
1	Real-time health and lifestyle monitoring	Collection of patient’s vital signs and logging of lifestyle and physical activities by using medical devices like a wearable sensor, wireless communication, cloud computing, IoT etc. This provides data on what causes health symptoms. AI Chatbots can be used to interview patients about symptoms.
2	Data analysis and reporting	In remote patient monitoring software development, beyond tracking features, it also needs the ability to understand and analyze physiological data. Data analysis in this regard is many times supported by machine learning algorithms along with data visualization tools in remote patient monitoring software.
3	IoT-based monitoring of RPM devices and device configuration	In remote patient monitoring software development, integrating multiple medical devices allows the system to provide detailed data and analyze correlations. The more data points the system can cover, the clearer and more comprehensive the picture of the patient’s health will be.
4	Online communication	Remote patient management and telemedicine go hand in glove. Integrating a remote patient management solution with telemedicine creates a basis for two-way communication between the patients and the healthcare providers, promoting proactive patient outreach for continuous remote care. Some major telehealth features that can be integrated into the system for remote patient monitoring include secure video conferencing, virtual consultations regarding treatment plans, real-time patient monitoring, secure messaging regarding appointment scheduling, and access to an information library.
5	Accessibility features	Accessibility features incorporated during the remote patient monitoring software development ensure that technology serves the benefit of all users, including various groups of patients. Some accessibility features that should be included in remote patient care systems are text-to-speech functions for visually impaired patients or those with mobility disorders, as well as adjustable fonts and high-contrast designs. In general, remote patient management systems should be developed to serve even those who are not tech-savvy.
6	Patient data security	The main features of security are multi-factor user authentication, software that is HIPAA and FDA-compliant, encryption of data collected by patient monitoring devices, and limitation of access rights.

How RPM works?

Telehealth monitoring systems typically include multiple smaller systems that monitor different body parts or patient groups. Each of these systems or remote patient monitoring devices operates in a specified way depending on their stated use. However, they follow a basic workflow of operation as outlined below:

• Step 1 – Data collection and transmission: Wearable devices, sensors, and IoT devices on the patient gather health-related data and, in turn, forward the information to the remote patient monitoring providers. The devices must therefore be WI-FI enabled, LTE, or Bluetooth.
• Step 2 – Data storage: Data collected from different sources is kept at a centralized location in a secure manner.
• Step 3 – Data analysis: The stored data is analyzed by advanced AI. Alerts are sent by the remote patient monitoring system, when and as necessary, or based on the patient’s preference to the patient himself, a caregiver, or a health care provider.
• Step 4 – Communication: Data obtained through remote monitoring systems is transmitted to health providers via the internet, phone, or text message. In furtherance of time, communication between the patient and doctor can easily be enabled through video or audio calls.  In remote patient monitoring software development, integrating multiple communication features enhances the system’s overall functionality.
• Step 5 – Notifications: Once doctors review the data and identify points that could pose a potential threat, the data is converted into information. In case the patient requires urgent attention, the telehealth monitoring system will contact the emergency services. In cases that are not so serious, patients will be given specific instructions on the next course of action they need to take.

Tips to Create an RPM solution

Like any other software development project, remote patient monitoring software development requires a process that includes market research, a thorough analysis of user needs, and competitor research to learn from the successes and failures of other companies. Moreover, top remote patient monitoring companies recommend applying the following tips during your development process:

• Use remote monitoring devices: Modern medical tools and devices are the foundation of remote patient monitoring. These devices collect a lot of patient health data without needing healthcare providers to be involved directly.
• Create a mobile app for patients: Mobile apps are essential in remote patient management software development. Through these apps, healthcare providers can analyze data directly from the devices interacting with patients. Typically, these apps provide visual data, educational materials, and medication reminders, and maintain communication between doctors and patients.
• Develop an app for hospitals: Hospital apps must comply with HIPAA and other regulations. The EMR system of the clinic should integrate with the remote patient care platform to avoid creating isolated data silos. Especially, hospital patient monitoring software should include the following modules:
  • Decision support module: Compares patient data with threshold values and sends alerts if limits are exceeded.
  • Notification module: Monitors threshold values and sends alert messages.
  • Reporting module: Generates reports from measurements and manual input to send to doctors.
  • Analytics module: Displays real-time measurements, behavior patterns, and trends to help doctors predict risks and make informed treatment decisions.

• Data storage: Basic patient information is usually retrieved from smartphones via a cloud database. However, some remote patient management solutions offer direct cloud connectivity for IoT healthcare devices. This data is stored in the cloud without needing to be downloaded. To minimize data loss and address security concerns, cloud computing can also be combined with blockchain.
• User-friendly UX/UI: A remote patient monitoring system should be developed to serve all types of users and patients. Therefore, when developing remote patient monitoring software, you should consider designing a user-friendly UX/UI. The software interface must be simple and intuitive, avoiding complicated medical terms. If necessary, include clear definitions and explanations of these terms. You should also consider adding accessibility features for visually impaired users or those with hearing difficulties.
• Energy optimization: Remote patient management solutions typically connect with wearable devices and IoT devices that operate 24/7. Therefore, battery life is crucial. To ensure continuous monitoring, you need to optimize your remote health monitoring system for efficient energy use.
• Enable geolocation features: A telehealth monitoring system tracks patients’ vital signs, so location data is essential, especially in emergencies. Enabling geolocation will help doctors know where to find patients who need urgent care, and patients can also use this feature to locate the nearest hospitals or clinics.
• Comply with regional and national regulations: Depending on the region where your remote patient monitoring software development takes place, there will be specific regulations and guidelines to follow. No single regulation covers everything, so you should familiarize yourself with the required laws before starting the project.
• Strong data security: As remote patient monitoring providers, you will handle a lot of sensitive data. To avoid falling victim to cyberattacks, take all necessary precautions to protect your remote patient monitoring system. Some steps include complying with legal and privacy regulations, end-to-end data encryption, multi-factor authentication, and modernizing outdated systems.

How much does it cost?

To prepare for the process of remote patient monitoring software development, estimating costs is extremely important. The cost of building remote patient monitoring services is determined by several factors, including the features and functionalities of the system, the complexity of the software’s location component, the experience of the development teams, as well as compliance requirements and deadlines. Particularly, software engineers and other members of the development team will account for the majority of the expenses. To save money, you may consider outsourcing software development instead of hiring an in-house team.

According to information provided by top patient monitoring companies, the cost to develop a remote patient management solution ranges from $50,000 to $500,000. If your aspirations extend to an advanced-featured application, this may go up as high as $200,000-$400,000. The costlier the development, the more complicated it gets, and tends to have more advanced features, since it will require spending much time on development and recruiting highly skilled persons to construct the system.

These figures can be used as a reference, but it’s important to remember that actual costs will vary greatly depending on the specific needs of each project. Our advice is to conduct thorough research before starting your remote patient monitoring software development project. Without proper research, you may end up spending too much on a software solution that exceeds your requirements or is stuck with a basic system that won’t meet your future expansion needs.

How Luvina can help you build an RPM solution?

If you are going to start a remote patient monitoring software development project, now it’s time to think about whom you’ll make this project. According to experts, you must hire an outsourced team instead of building an in-house team for cost-saving. Luvina is ready to offer our expertise to turn your healthcare technology ideas into reality.

As one of the top health software development companies with over 20 years of experience, Luvina has a deep understanding of the unique landscape of the healthcare industry. We are proud to support healthcare businesses in optimizing their processes and developing specialized services. When partnering with any healthcare organization, we are committed to:

• Providing comprehensive healthcare IT outsourcing services, including patient information management, supply management, home healthcare management, and hospital billing management.
• Creating healthcare software solutions that comply with HIPAA, HITECH, PIPEDA, and GDPR regulations.
• Ensuring the highest quality for each software product, maximizing performance, and increasing software reliability.
• Offering top-level data security, 24/7 continuous support, and service quality certified with ISO 9001 and CMMI Level 3.
• By partnering with Luvina, you will gain a reliable technology partner with proven expertise in healthcare projects.

Today, the growing interest in personal health, combined with advancements in technology, is accelerating the development of the remote patient monitoring market. Don’t miss out on this advantage—think about remote patient monitoring software development now. Contact us today for consultation, as this is the best time to get started!

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