Telemedicine Software Development: How to Build a Telemedicine System

About the project

We met the Medikit creators in 2018. They shared a groundbreaking idea with us – to build a unique Ukraine digital healthcare system. It should allow people all over the country to receive quality medical help 24/7.

The Abto Software team needed to design and develop full-package telemedicine software. It is supposed to provide interactions between patients and doctors, pharmaceutical and insurance companies, and even medical laboratories.

We decided not to use telemedicine software that already existed on the international market. Every healthcare system in every country has its own rules and needs. So, we chose to build a unique solution from scratch and perfectly adjust it to our client’s requirements.

After three years of active development, maintenance, and SEO optimization, Abto Software’s team keeps working on the project improvements.

Telemedicine software features

There are several features that every telemedicine software requires first of all. They are not dependent on local specifics and project requirements. These features are a critical part of telemedicine and ensure its proper work.

In our project, we highlighted eight main telemedicine software features:

1. Easy patient registration

The main goal of telemedicine is to simplify communication between patients and medical workers. The process of registration needs to be clear and easy to finish in a few clicks.

2. Convenient EHR

Easy-to-use EHR (Electronic Healthcare Records) systems work for doctors and save time for patient care. No more paper archives. All information about patients including medical history, test results, and prescriptions is in one tool.

3. High level of information protection

Personal information protection should be one of the main focuses during telemedicine software development. The healthcare industry, in fact, is one of the most attacked by hackers.

4. Online payment

You need to give patients the ability to pay for medical services in the most convenient way. Here again, you will face localization questions. Choose wisely currencies, payment methods, required financial details, etc.

5. Integrations with the third parties

You can add to the telemedicine software integrations with pharmaceutical and insurance companies, medical laboratories. These integrations reduce paperwork, save time for both parties, and simplify the medical care process.

6. User-friendly interface

Clear and handy UI/UX necessary for any up-to-date web or mobile application. Make your healthcare software user-friendly. It will reduce stress for people who need medical attention as well as for the industry experts.

7. Easy-to-use telemedicine app

It is important to have quick access to necessary documentation for both medical workers and patients. Also, the right telemedicine app will be available for emergency calls.

8. Video/Audio/Text consultations

It is a good idea to allow patients to choose which format of consultation is better for them. Audio consultation is the right choice for locations with low access to the internet. Video calls are useful when you need a face-to-face conversation. Text messages are convenient for quick questions and specifications.

Our solution structure

After the discovery stage, we distinguish three main modules of the system. Here are more details.

Module 1. For medical workers

For doctors, we developed an EHR (Electronic Healthcare Records) system. Users can enter their working accounts and see patient profiles: their medical history, tests, previous prescriptions, and more.

In this step, software developers shouldn’t forget about clear and intuitive application UI/UX. The database will contain a lot of information and need to be easy to use so it won’t steal time from medical workers.

Doctors can’t consult as soon as they register in the system. Firstly, Medikit admins check information about them. When the medical experience is proven, only then doctors will get access to the healthcare system and the right to work with patients.

Also, for the sake of personal information protection, in our system, the doctor can see data only about patients they work with. Even more, the patient can control the level of access to personal data for every doctor.

Module 2. For patients

In Medikit, patients have their own accounts in the system. There they can control the level of access to their personal data or even delete everything permanently.

We wanted to give patients a reliable tool where they can gather all medical information. You need to share your medical records with another doctor – you are free to do it. Need to see the archive of tests or history of consultations – here they are. You need to make another appointment – it will take less than a minute.

Even more, with the help of additional integrations, Medikit users can book medical tests and order prescripted medicines without leaving the system.

To protect the system from multiple accounts of the same person, we allow registration only via phone number. Firstly, users need to enter their phone number, e-mail, and password. Secondly, they will receive a verification code via SMS. Thirdly, they enter a verification code in the system. Only then users will have access to Medikit.

Module 3. For admins

We created a separate module for system admins for management purposes. In admin accounts, users can see statistical data about platform usage, can control additional integrations, and see their details. Admins have access to a list of patients’ accounts, but can’t see their personal data. Managers are able to block user accounts or delete them permanently.

Also, we built functionality for managing client subscriptions, payments, and discount systems.

System integrations

Payment system

We used a secure and reliable national Ukrainian payment system UAPAY. An important fact is the system does not take payment in advance. Firstly, the patient gets their consultation and then receives the bill. If the consultation hasn’t satisfied the patient, they can not pay for it. But in this case, the same person won’t be able to ask the next question or book another appointment.

Medical laboratory

Medikit has an integration with a widely known in Ukraine network of medical laboratories – Synevo. On the one hand, the patients can order medical tests directly in their user accounts. The users can see a complete list of available tests, make their choice, and even get a 10% discount for procedures.

On the other hand, the medical laboratory can upload test results directly on Medikit, where they will be available for patients and doctors. Also, for new clients, who came from Synevo’s side, Medikit gives a free first consultation.

Pharmaceutical company

Our team integrated a pharmaceutical company Liki24 into the telemedicine software. Now users can order and buy prescripted medicines in their Midikit account. They do not need to go to a Pharmacy, wait in line, and after that proof the prescription. Just order in a few clicks and choose the convenient type of delivery.

This integration not only simplifies the lives of patients but also helps to expand the audience for Medikit.

Insurance companies

In our telemedicine software, we decided to build a separate module for insurance companies. They can log in to accounts and add information about their clients who already have insurance. The system will send these people SMS about Medikit capabilities. If they are interested, insurance clients can register on Medikit via a link in SMS and get a free consultation.

Hospitals

It is a good idea to integrate various hospitals into the telemedicine system. In this way, there will never be a lack of medical experts. Also, hospitals can use convenient Medikit software for their patient management.

Also, Medikit can get new clients from hospitals. On the websites of clinics-partners, we put a communication forum where patients can ask their questions. When the question is asked, it is transferred to the Medikit page, where unregistered users can get their answers. Also, the system will suggest these users register on the platform and receive a full consultation.

Telemedicine app

As we decided to make our system as flexible as possible, it was necessary to develop a telemedicine app as well. It was designed for patients and has its own level of security.

Telemedicine app benefits:

• Mobility, easy and quick access to medical data;
• Ability to book an appointment anytime and from everywhere;
• Ability to book a call or to make an emergency call;
• Medical history is always with patient’s pocket in case of emergencies;
• Medical data available even without table access to the internet;
• Personal data protection on API level.