The on-demand economy has disrupted several industries very rapidly. In fact, it currently accounts for more than $57 billion in annual consumer spending. The rise of popular services like Uber has yielded on-demand apps for ordering food, scheduling medical appointments, finding dog walkers, and much more. Users have enthusiastically embraced the convenience these products offer.
It’s easy to understand why. Young consumers have learned to expect fast, efficient service from businesses. Given the choice to order dinner from two similar restaurants, one with an on-demand option and one without, they’ll choose the restaurant that lets them place an order by tapping a few buttons on a smartphone.
Trends indicate the growth of the on-demand economy shows no signs of slowing. It’s even beginning to transform such industries as healthcare. This has caused providers to adjust their approach to serving patients, looking to online industries such as digital marketing agencies, iPhone app developers and mobile application development to meet requests.
The On-Demand Economy’s Impact on Patient Service in Healthcare
Again, users appreciate the convenience on-demand apps provide. Too many people who dismiss these products believe users are attracted to the novelty of scheduling services via mobile devices. They don’t realize users are simply attracted to the way they make daily life easier.
This doesn’t just add greater convenience to users lives; in some cases, it’s essential. This is particularly true in healthcare.
Patients who struggle with conditions like chronic pain may find it difficult to reach treatment clinics. Thus, on-demand healthcare apps have emerged, allowing patients to schedule home visits with healthcare providers. This may result in a major shift in the way doctors and other medical professionals treat patients. On average, doctors spend between 13 to 24 minutes with patients during appointments. In a busy clinic, with others in the waiting room, this may simply seem necessary.
That changes in a home environment. Escaping the stress of the clinic gives doctors greater opportunities to spend substantial time with patients. As the popularity of on-demand healthcare apps grows, patients can expect to see more healthcare providers adopt this approach to service.
Incorporating such innovations as augmented and virtual reality into healthcare apps can even eliminate the need for in-person appointments in certain instances. Doctors may be able to dynamically conference with their patients remotely. This may be necessary if they need to, for example, demonstrate how to use a medical device. They can also use Internet of Things technology in conjunction with healthcare apps to monitor a patient’s condition.
This results in much better treatment than would be possible if doctors only had the opportunity to monitor patient condition during in-person appointments. The more information they have about a patient’s health, the more equipped they are to determine an effective course of treatment.
There’s no turning back from the on-demand model anymore. Healthcare providers must adapt accordingly. However, creating an on-demand app is merely the first step. It’s become increasingly clear these apps must also be designed to optimize the quality of patient service. Fortunately, this new mindset will result in major benefits for patients.
Founder & Managing Partner of Trajectory Capital and CEO Trajectory ALPHA Acquisition Corp NYSE: TCOA.
Lifetime entrepreneur, mentor, Board Member obsessed with the infinite realm of possibility in the digital transformation of the world. Founder & Board Member TruVest, MainBloq. Board Member Beasley Media (NASDAQ: BBGI) Kubient NASDAQ: KBNT, Fraud.Net, Hoo.Be, MediaJel
