The sustainability of any industry relies on both revenue generation and cost savings. During the pandemic, the healthcare system faced significant challenges, bringing an opportunity for innovation. Telehealth has emerged as a transformative force in the Indian healthcare system, with usage of telehealth applications more than doubling in the past two years. This has facilitated greater access to healthcare for millions of individuals, through user-friendly telehealth platforms.This surge in telehealth adoption has also led to India becoming a hub for healthcare technology, drawing significant investment in healthcare user experience research. The focus on user experience is also being driven by the increasing cost of healthcare. The Indian government is under pressure to reduce the cost of healthcare, and thoughtful design can help achieve this by making healthcare services more efficient and effective.As a UI UX design company, it is equally challenging and interesting for us to be able to contribute to a larger cause. It is our mission to ensure that the experience of a customer is as smooth as possible for the app to work in a way that serves them with the highest efficiency. The success of any app or gadget in the healthcare space majorly depends on how user-friendly it is, not only for patients but also for the doctors and hospitals involved.
Here are some specific trends in healthcare UX that are expected to emerge in India in the coming years:
Wearables/ digital gadgets
Almost every person we meet walks around with a very large amount of data about their physical health on their wrist, or their phones. The wearable health technology industry was valued at almost $41 billion in 2020 and it is only getting bigger and better. With the use of telehealth UX, a smartwatch can communicate with your phone and share data that will then be used to create an automated, customised experience for the user. I mean, a beautiful gadget that reminds me to move and even to drink water is a great way to stay healthy. Besides making it easy to stay healthy, it is also making the process more accurate and fun.
Mental health/Self-help apps
India is looking at a massive revolution in the mental health space. With more and more people wanting to opt for therapy and meditative practices, this space in telehealth is booming at a very rapid rate. Mental health apps are an increasingly popular way to manage mental health conditions and improve overall wellness. When designing mental health apps, it is essential that they are easy to use and easy to navigate so that users engage with them effectively. A seamless user experience design is a game changer in this case. The goal is to make the customer believe that we understand their needs and will be able to provide effective solutions.
Telemedicine
The healthcare system is overburdened with patients and there aren’t nearly enough doctors to be able to treat everyone. Apps that provide online consultations, with all the past records of the patient available at a glance and a transparent system of payments/follow-ups have enabled millions of people to be able to get quality medical help.This has helped doctors in being able to consult more people while not getting burnt out. A good telemedicine UI will allow your doctor to see your reports in real-time, video call with you, and provide you with a clear diagnosis. As telemedicine continues to rapidly expand in India, user experience design will prove to be a vital component in creating an efficient and user-friendly system that is beneficial for all stakeholders.
Information and storage systems
As a result of the heavy reliance on office and administrative staff in the healthcare industry, it is almost always a fact that errors will occur in the process of organizing and storing medical data for each patient. As a result, it can be very difficult to trace back errors in the process.Information systems are designed in a way that all users can keep their medical information safe, share what they want to with their doctors and also never lose any data. Additionally, telemedicine providers in India are also focusing on building infrastructure that is secure, user friendly and reliable.This will help ensure that user data is kept secure while providing them with a hassle-free experience while accessing medical services through telemedicine.
Artificial intelligence (AI)
Artificial intelligence is being used in a plethora of ways in the healthcare industry, including for improving diagnosis, developing new treatments, and providing personalized care. As AI technology continues to develop, it is expected to have a major impact on digi health.AI tools can be used to analyze large amounts of medical data in order to identify patterns and trends that may be invisible to the human eye. This can help doctors to make more accurate diagnoses and recommend more effective treatments.AI can also collect data from wearable devices, medical records, and other sources to create a personalized profile for each patient. This information can then be used to provide personalized care that is tailored according to the individual needs of each patient.
Healthcare and Ecommerce UX
The health and wellness e-commerce market is ripe for innovation, and there are a number of opportunities for businesses to differentiate themselves from competitors. Modern healthcare marketplaces are changing the way people access care. UX designers play a key role in making these marketplaces user-friendly and accessible.By focusing on usability, accessibility, and visual design, designers can help people find the care they need, when they need it. Let’s dive into a case study to understand how leading brands are transforming the way people shop healthcare essentials.
HealthKart, one of the leading sports nutrition and vitamin e-commerce platforms in India, partnered with Onething for redesign of its website and app to offer an enhanced user experience and facilitate improved healthcare. The redesign focused on providing tailored wellness solutions, enriching the buying journey to reduce drop-offs, refining user flows for a more responsive experience, and maximizing conversions while educating users about health. The idea was to create an experience beyond ecommerce; a wellness community that inspires better physical and mental wellbeing. The new design offered quick and scannable buying journeys along with a personalized storytelling approach. Visual flows were made more accessible and delightful with modular sections, ensuring easy decision-making. The platform also introduced a gamified experience to the world of health & wellness ecommerce, promoting user engagement and providing actionable insights. The redesign impact was significant, with an 18% increase in cart value, 25% reduction in bounce rate, and 37% users confirming easier discovery within the first three months of launch.
Conclusion
Telehealth has the potential to revolutionize healthcare in India by providing access to remote healthcare services, reducing costs, and improving the quality of care. It is still in the early stages of development in India and the growth has been even higher since the pandemic. Large investments in Healthcare UX research, focus on user experience design, and safety of confidential data are key since these apps directly impact our health and wellness. Efficient healthcare UX will make patients feel that they are receiving the same quality of healthcare without having to leave their homes when they are sick or need assistance, and getting this at affordable prices at the same time.