When it comes to technological solutions, the health industry has always been a step behind in keeping up with the cutting-edge tools and technologies until a few years ago. Lately, with the rise of pandemic event, we have witnessed a drastic growth in the healthcare industry and how quickly it leveraged the latest technology to offer better services to patients. From remote monitoring and smart devices to track our health to robotics technology, there are countless healthcare applications that we are using on a daily basis.

The modern tools and technologies in the healthcare systems are now offering better care and safer service to users across the globe. But for this to get much better, the technology has to be user-friendly. Healthcare professionals are utilizing information systems daily, but unfortunately, many of them are simply outdated, complex, and mostly inefficient. In this scenario, user experience design works on making sure that the systems users use and interact with are highly efficient and assist them in completing their tasks as quickly as possible. With each technological innovation comes a new challenge to make sure users’ requirements are being met.

Now, let’s take a look at top UX trends that are changing healthcare applications

1. Wearable technology

Whenever we hear the word “wearable tech,” two things come to our mind. One is a fitness tracker and the other is contactless payments. Currently, wearable technology is an emerging trend in the healthcare industry. Gone are the days when wearable meant just counting daily steps or purchasing goods and services. In 2021, wearable devices can efficiently measure and monitor vital signs such as blood pressure and heart rate. Depending on the complexity, some of them even detect atrial fibrillation, measure BMI, and even utilize biosensor technology to identify if you are going to fall sick.

With more than 75% of consumers willing to wear fitness technology, the opportunities in the wearable tech market are wide, and these opportunities can help users connect with healthcare providers. Keeping in mind the constant competition the companies are facing, it is crucial to offer a user experience that can surpass your competitors.

Here are the factors that need to be considered while designing healthcare UX.

• Data handling
• Simplicity
• Connectivity
• Interactions

2. Healthcare bots

Currently, chatbots are moving in an upward trajectory. With intuitive programming and perfectly written responses, chatbots can seamlessly connect your users with your support system without having to actually talk to them. That being said, as the patient health and medical records’ confidentiality and sensitivity of the information, a few healthcare chatbots are not being able to offer a standard user experience that is both user-friendly and safe. For now, healthcare companies are using chatbots to:

• book appointments
• Remind patients to take their medication
• Time to time check up on patients’ health conditions
• Collect user feedback regarding in-person consultations

3. AR/VR

Not just in other industries, but even in healthcare, Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) are transforming the way patients receive healthcare services. Right from teaching complex procedures in medical school to diagnosing and treating medical conditions with better and more in-depth analysis with the help of body scans, AR, and VR on the path to changing the healthcare industry in ways that we couldn’t even fathom a decade ago.

The usage of AR and VR in the healthcare industry is limited to:

• Display of detail body scans
• Improve diagnosis accuracy
• Teach complex procedures to medical students
• Explain medical treatments to patients

To enhance the user experience, UI/UX designers should focus more on developing AR and VR controller systems that make displays more and more responsive to human conversations. Currently, controller systems are basic, doing mere functions but when it comes to diverting patients’ attention from invasive and unpleasant procedures, calming and believable immersion experiences can truly make a difference in the healthcare industry.

Five to ten years ago, accessibility features and functionalities were included once the design process was over. But now, designers are keeping that at the forefront of the project, especially for healthcare applications. To make sure your healthcare application is accessible to most of your target audiences, consider the point points.

• Cultures
• Genders
• Emotional well-being
• Languages
• Abilities

4. Telemedicine

Ever since the pandemic outbreak, Telehealth is becoming more and more helpful in medical technology. Without having to pay a visit to a doctor’s office, patients can remotely get doctor’s consultation and advice for any type of medical condition via healthcare applications, remote monitoring devices, and video consultations.

With the rise of new diseases and virus outbreaks, the benefits of telehealth applications are just getting better and better. Not only does telehealth improves the patient care experience but also minimizes the risk of spreading airborne diseases.

What’s in store for the future of healthcare UX?

In today’s ever-changing requirements of healthcare technology, healthcare professionals and users definitely want to stay up-to-date and keep up with the trends. Designing UI/UX for healthcare applications is a great responsibility. Companies and developers should keep patients and their safety as the focal point. Before you set goals to achieve, first aim to deliver a valuable service. Deliver a service that can bring value in return and make users’ lives better.