Doctor On-Demand App Development: Build a Cutting-Edge Telehealth Platform

If you’ve ever had severe pain after eating unfamiliar food on a sea cruise or woken up with a fever before speaking at a foreign conference, you understand the importance of getting prompt medical assistance.

Due to these reasons, having a medical consultation app on a smartphone is essential. In this article, we will explore the mobile health (mHealth) market and provide a detailed, step-by-step guide on building a doctor on-demand app.

I. Understanding How Doctor On-Demand Apps Work

Doctor on-demand apps connect patients with healthcare specialists for professional consultations. These apps typically have three main roles: doctor, patient, and administrator. Each role has distinct functions that do not overlap. The number of doctors and patients using the app is nearly equal, so it’s crucial to carefully develop features for both groups.

II. Key Features to Include in Your Doctor On-Demand App

When developing an on-demand doctor app, it’s crucial to include features that cater to doctors, patients, and administrators. Here are the essential features for each user group:

1. Features for Patients

Emergency Response
Quick access to help is crucial in urgent medical situations. A doctor-on-demand app should allow users to request an ambulance with a single swipe.

Appointment Booking
After searching for doctors, users can view profiles and book appointments. The app should use a calendar to show doctors’ available times and allow users to schedule appointments based on availability.

Payment Gateway
Patients need a secure way to pay for medical services after online consultations. The app should integrate a reliable payment gateway like Stripe, PayPal, Braintree, or Square and accept various payment options, including credit cards, employer coverage, coupons, and insurance.

Doctor Reviews
After receiving medical treatment, patients should be able to leave reviews and feedback about their experience with the doctor. This feature allows patients to rate doctors and provide genuine feedback.

Ordering Prescribed Medications
The app should enable patients to request prescription medications. An integrated online marketplace for ordering prescriptions and home delivery options for those unable to pick up their medications will add value to the service.

Video Conferencing with Doctors
A video call feature is essential for real-time contact between doctors and patients. The app should support high-resolution video for effective remote examinations and include secure facilities for virtual consultations. Ensuring HIPAA compliance is necessary to protect against data breaches.

Reminders and Discounts
The app should provide automatic reminders for appointments, delivered via SMS or email. It should also inform patients about available discounts and promotions.

2. Features for Doctors

Profiles
Doctors should be able to create detailed profiles that include their specialty, experience, fees, and accepted insurance types.

Doctor Panel
The doctor panel should provide access to patients’ electronic health records, previous visits, prescriptions, and upcoming appointments.

Scheduling Tools
The app should allow doctors to manage their schedules and optimize their workflow.

Access to Electronic Health Records (EHR)
The app should integrate with EHR systems, giving doctors access to patients’ health information.

Prescriptions for Treatment
Doctors should be able to prescribe treatments and medications through the app.

Document Scanning and Sharing
The app should securely handle and transmit medical information such as medical images, lab results, and prescriptions.

3. Features for Administrators

Admin Panel
Only administrators will have access to this panel, which includes features for:

• Managing patients and doctors
• Marketing resources
• Communication channels
• Notification modules
• Real-time analytics
• Report generation

Matching Capabilities
The app should feature matching functions to connect doctors with patients based on location, symptoms, and other relevant data.

III. Advantages of Building a Doctor On-Demand Application

We’ve compiled all the benefits of doctor on-demand apps for both doctors and patients.

IV. Step-by-Step Guide to Developing a Doctor On-Demand App

We at TECHVIFY always advise building an MVP (Minimum Viable Product). An MVP is the first version of your app that helps you gather valuable user feedback and check feasibility while being a fully functional application.

Now, let’s explore the mHealth app niche precisely. How to build a doctor on-demand app:

Step 1: Secure Medical Certifications

Creating an app in the medical field goes beyond simply conducting market research and analyzing competitors. Each country has unique certification requirements that must be fulfilled prior to launching the app.

In the United States, a doctor on-demand app must comply with HIPAA, FDA, HHS, and other relevant standards based on the services provided. In Europe, such apps need EPSC certification.

Step 2: Identify Key Features

Determine the main functionalities that will set your doctor on-demand app apart by understanding what your target users need most. Focus on 2 or 3 essential features, such as:

• Group video consultations
• Integration with smartphone health tracking
• Quick and easy scheduling
• Chatbots for instant assistance

Step 3: Ensure Data Security

Trust and security are foundational in healthcare. Verify doctors thoroughly and protect patient data rigorously. For instance, only doctors and patients should access EMRs (electronic medical records) without administrative access to personal health information.

Moreover, implement a secure payment system for transactions within the app.

Step 4: Design an Intuitive UI/UX

Your app will have distinct sections for doctors, patients, and administrators. Each section should have tailored functionalities, interfaces, and technical capabilities. Ensure these sections are well-defined and provide a user-friendly experience for each group.

Step 5: Develop and Test the App

Choose the platforms you want to support and hire a development team or a mobile app development firm. This stage primarily determines the cost of your Doctor on-demand app. Perform comprehensive testing to verify smooth app functionality and meet all requirements.

Step 6: Launch and Post-Launch Activities

After completing all development stages, you are ready to release your fully functional telemedicine app. Here’s how to ensure a successful launch and post-launch experience:

1. Pre-Launch Preparation

• Marketing and Promotion: Build anticipation through digital marketing strategies, such as social media campaigns, email blasts, and partnerships.
• Beta Testing: Launch a beta version to a limited group of users for
• App Store Optimization (ASO): Optimize your app’s listing with relevant keywords, compelling descriptions, and high-quality visuals.

2. Launch Day

• Monitoring: Have your team ready to monitor app performance and resolve any immediate issues.
• User Support: Ensure customer support is prepared to handle user inquiries and provide assistance.

3. Post-Launch Activities

• Gather Feedback: Continuously collect and analyze user feedback to plan future updates.
• Regular Updates: Release updates to fix bugs, enhance features, and introduce new functionalities.
• Ongoing Marketing: Continue marketing efforts to attract and retain users through targeted campaigns and user engagement.

V. Cost Analysis for Developing a Doctor On-Demand App

Below are approximate figures for developing a doctor on-demand app with basic functionalities, excluding an admin panel and video features. The estimates are based on typical rates in Asia.

Developing a basic doctor on-demand app development cost approximately $37,000 in total. The development process is projected to take around 1,720 hours, which translates to about 2-3 months.

Please note that the cost may vary based on the team involved and any additional features you wish to include.

VI. Examples of Top Doctor On-Demand Apps

Creating a telemedicine app doesn’t always mean starting from scratch. Sometimes, the best approach is to learn from successful existing solutions that have already improved communication between doctors and patients. Here are some top-rated doctor and medical appointment apps that patients highly recommend:

Amwell

Amwell provides on-demand access to high-quality medical treatment. It is a free app available on both the App Store and the Play Store, boasting ratings of 4.9 and 4.3 stars, respectively.

Key Features:

• Appointment Scheduling: Easily book appointments, often available as soon as the next day.
• Service Variety: Offers a wide range of services, from urgent care to psychiatric consultations.

Pricing:

Prices before insurance range from $69 or less for urgent care to up to $200 for an online psychiatric appointment.

Teladoc

Teladoc enables users to communicate with a broad range of medical professionals electronically. You can consult with specialized doctors via video or voice chat, receive prescriptions, or get professional medical advice. The app is free and available on both the App Store and the Play Store, with ratings of 4.8 and 4.6 stars, respectively.

Key Features:

• Electronic Consultations: Connect with doctors through video or voice chat.
• Prescription Services: Get prescriptions from licensed professionals.

Pricing:

• General Medical Visit: $75 per visit
• Psychiatrist Visit: Initial visit $299, follow-up $119
• Therapist Visit: $99 per session

DoctorOnDemand

DoctorOnDemand provides seamless access to medical professionals, including doctors, psychiatrists, and psychologists, regardless of insurance status. The app is free and accessible on both the App Store and the Play Store, boasting a rating of 4.9 stars on both platforms.

Key Features:

• Wide Range of Specialists: Consult with licensed physicians, psychiatrists, and psychologists.
• Comprehensive Treatment: Doctors review your medical history, examine symptoms, and provide treatment recommendations via video chat.

Pricing:

• General Medical Visit: $75 per visit
• Psychiatrist Visit: Initial visit $299, follow-up $129
• Therapist Visit: $129 per session

MDLive

MDLive allows users to connect with medical and pediatric doctors, as well as behavioral health treatment and psychiatry providers. The app is free and available on both the App Store and the Play Store, with a rating of 4.7 stars on both platforms. MDLive provides quick, easy, and accessible access to doctors for non-emergency concerns when your primary care physician is unavailable. The average wait time for a consultation with a state-licensed and board-certified physician is less than 15 minutes.

Key Features:

• Wide Range of Providers: Access medical, pediatric, behavioral health, and psychiatry providers.
• Quick Access: Average wait time for a consultation is less than 15 minutes.

Pricing:

• General Medical Visit: $82 per visit
• Therapist Visit: $108 per session
• Psychiatrist Visit: Initial visit $284, follow-up $108

PlushCare

PlushCare helps users acquire medications and treatment for a wide range of chronic and non-emergency ailments. Select an appointment time, provide any insurance information, and get connected to a doctor quickly and easily. The app is free and accessible on both the App Store and the Google Play Store, with ratings of 4.9 and 4.6 stars, respectively.

Key Features:

• Convenient Appointments: Easily schedule appointments and connect with doctors.
• Medication and Treatment: Get prescriptions and treatment for various conditions.

Pricing:

• General Medical Visit: $99 per visit
• Membership Plan: $14.99 per month for discounted visit

Conclusion

Doctor on-demand apps are revolutionizing healthcare by providing immediate, high-quality medical assistance right at your fingertips. With the global mHealth market booming, now is the ideal time to invest in developing these essential apps.

Ready to revolutionize healthcare? TECHVIFY is your premier partner for creating top-tier doctor on-demand apps. Our expert team delivers unmatched consultation and app development services tailored to your needs.