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According to a recent Deloitte study, 76% of American companies outsource their IT functions. What drives this trend? Does outsourcing truly win the in-house vs outsourcing development battle? In this article, we will explore both strategies, evaluate their advantages and disadvantages, and help you choose the approach that best suits your project.

What Is In-House and Outsourcing Software Development?

In-house development refers to the process in which a company independently creates its digital products. In this case, only the internal team is involved in development, without hiring external specialists.

Do you think this approach is ideal because all IT functions will be handled by a reliable development team that you assemble yourself? In some ways, you’re right. However, it also comes with significant responsibility and high costs. After all, you will need to hire and manage developers, designers, product and project managers, and other personnel. But we will discuss the pros and cons of this strategy in more detail later.

Outsourcing software development implies hiring an external team or individual remote specialists to work on a software solution. Depending on the budget size, required technology stack, and other project specifics, you can choose between nearshoring, offshoring, and onshoring. What do these terms mean?

‍Offshoring refers to delegating processes to a distant country, often on another continent. This is considered the most cost-effective outsourcing option, as service rates vary significantly across countries. However, such price differences do not always affect the quality of the final product.

Take a look at these impressive figures: In Switzerland, developers earn around $100,000 per year, whereas in Norway, Australia, and several other countries, this amount is nearly half as much. Does this mean that specialists in those regions are less qualified? Hardly.

Nearshoring—outsourcing to a neighboring country. Preferably one that borders yours or is at least located on the same continent. The goal is usually the same—to save on IT services.

Onshoring—hiring external specialists from your own country. What is the point? It’s simple. Even within the same state, the cost of creating an identical digital solution can vary significantly.

As an example, take a look at the salary range in major USA cities (data provided by Indeed):

• Columbus, OH – $142,605 per year
• Bellevue, WA – $137,206 per year
• San Jose, CA – $120,751 per year
• San Diego, CA – $118,932 per year
• Houston, TX – $98,751 per year

So, we have figured out the definitions of in-house and outsourced software development and also discussed the types of the latter. What are the key differences between these strategies?

In-House vs Outsourcing: Key Differences

In-house vs outsourcing development is a choice that many teams face. The fact is that there are several fundamental differences between these approaches. They should be taken into account when organizing the development process in a company.

This comparison highlights the strengths and weaknesses of both approaches to software development. However, to make these differences even clearer, let's take a closer look at the pros and cons of outsourcing and in-house development.

Outsourcing Software Development: Pros and Cons

Let’s start by looking at outsourcing software development – the pros and cons of this approach allow the global outsourcing market to grow at an impressive rate. This suggests that the cons of this approach are not so significant, right?

If in 2024 it was valued at $611.8 billion, it is projected to grow to $1,345.5 billion in the next 10 years.

Outsourced Development Pros

Teams that opt for outsourcing digital solution development can expect the following benefits:

1. Cost Savings.
‍We’ve already mentioned that companies can save by outsourcing to regions with cheaper labor.

However, that’s not all. Toptal has created a calculator to estimate the actual costs of hiring in-house developers and remote specialists. According to the calculations, even with the same hourly rate, outsourcing will cost the company 1.5 times less:

This is explained by additional expenses for office rent, employee training, providing necessary infrastructure, and so on.

2. Access to the global talent pool.
Finding a developer with the necessary skills can be challenging, especially in regions where the number of specialists is not very large.

Take a look at how the number of IT specialists differs in various countries:

Access to the global talent pool allows you to use the latest technologies that may not be widely available in your region.

‍3. Flexibility and scalability.
According to Indeed, the hiring process can take anywhere from a week to a month or more! Therefore, if you anticipate the need to expand or reduce your team, it is wiser to consider outsourcing.

It also makes more sense to consider a remote candidate for short-term projects if there is no further collaboration planned after the project ends.

‍4. Accelerating Time to Market.
Outsourcing allows you to reduce the time spent on recruiting and hiring specialists. Additionally, there is no need for training and onboarding the development team, which, as you’d agree, is also a lengthy process.

Moreover, you can engage several teams to work on the project. They will work on different aspects of the application simultaneously, bringing its release closer. An additional benefit is the ability to work around the clock due to time zone differences.

‍5. Optimization of company operations.
Outsourcing IT functions will allow you to focus on other activities, such as marketing, customer service, implementing financial strategies, and more.

Furthermore, outsourcing makes sense even if you have an in-house development team. Engaging external specialists will reduce the load on your team and allow you to implement innovative technologies that your developers may not be proficient in.

Outsourced Development Cons

Along with the benefits for a company, turning to IT outsourcing can lead to certain challenges:

‍1. Communication problems.
This issue is especially relevant with offshoring, when specialists are located in different time zones. Just imagine: you need to urgently address an issue, but it's outside your team's working hours. This can seriously affect the efficiency of development.

Another possible barrier to productive collaboration is different languages and cultural differences. Wouldn't it be difficult to understand your counterpart if their vocabulary is unfamiliar to you, or if they adhere to values and traditions that differ from yours?

‍2. Quality control challenges.
When an in-house team is working on a software product, they are clearly aware of the standards they need to follow. This enables them to create solutions that meet the needs of the audience and business expectations.

In the case of outsourced development, there is a risk of discrepancies in quality standards between internal and external teams, especially when communication gaps exist.

The result is an unsatisfactory final product, which may lead to another outsourcing drawback—as we'll discuss next.

‍3. Hidden costs.
If the final product quality is lacking, you’ll have to hire other specialists to fix defects. However, this problem can be avoided by working only with trusted providers. 

Still, there is the risk of additional costs for managing remote specialists and the possibility of project expansion due to control issues.

‍4. Data and intellectual property (IP) security.
Collaborating with third parties on development involves sharing confidential information about your business and clients.

Again, only work with reliable partners to ensure they won’t misuse your data or share it with unauthorized individuals.

We’ve discussed the pros and cons of outsourcing software development. How does the situation look with the advantages and disadvantages of creating an in-house team?

In-House Development: Pros and Cons

Despite the growing popularity of outsourcing, many companies still prefer to develop software in-house. This approach also has its own pros and cons.

In-house Development Pros

Developing software internally offers the following advantages:

‍1. Full control over the development process.
The decision to hire an in-house team is a step towards complete control over the development process.

You can select the optimal tech stack, implement methodologies that you deem suitable, and track every stage of the SDLC and its duration.

‍2. Intellectual property security.
According to ABI Research, U.S. companies lose between $180 billion and $540 billion annually due to intellectual property theft.

In-house development minimizes the likelihood of this issue, as the company will be the sole owner, and there is no need to share data with third parties.

‍3. Improved communication on the project.
Teams working in a shared workspace experience fewer communication challenges. They are not hindered by cultural and language differences or time zone discrepancies.

This, in turn, helps avoid several problems. According to recent statistics, poor communication methods can lead to a number of losses for a company. Among these, 68% of work time is wasted, 42% of employees face stress and burnout, and 12% of customers leave for competitors:

4. Team engagement and a deep understanding of business nuances.
An internal development team is likely to be better informed about the company's values, culture, and target audience. This enables them to create a tailored solution that aligns with the client’s vision.

Additionally, in-house developers are more invested in the success of the project, as they are part of the business.

In-house Development Cons

If you are an advocate of in-house development, be prepared for some challenges along with the benefits. Here are a few of them:

1. High costs.
With outsourcing, the company only spends money on the developer’s rate. The situation is completely different with an in-house team.

We present a list of expenses to consider:

• hiring costs;
• total salary of the team;
• provision of necessary infrastructure;
• training fees for technologies;
• bonuses and benefits;
• software license purchases;
• overhead costs.

Overall, the difference between in-house vs outsourcing development can amount to hundreds of thousands of dollars. And as you can see, it is not in favor of the in-house team.

2. Limited resources.
In-house specialists may have limited experience and knowledge in specific areas needed for the project. There are two solutions to this issue: employee training, which again incurs additional costs and time, or opting for familiar technologies that are unlikely to yield the desired results.

Moreover, the lack of resources may become noticeable when scaling the project significantly. Hiring an in-house specialist is a lengthy and complicated process.

3. Hiring issues and employee turnover.
According to Statista's analytics, in 2023, 54% of organizations experienced a shortage of tech talent. And this is not the peak — two years ago, this figure was at a record-high 70%.

However, even if you manage to hire the best talents, don’t rush to celebrate your victory. You still need to retain them. And here’s where the real challenge begins. To attract a developer to work specifically for your company, you will need to offer a high salary (higher than your competitors), social benefits, bonuses, etc. In other words, you will be committing yourself to unforeseen expenses. Whether this is justified is up to you to decide.

So, we’ve thoroughly discussed the advantages and disadvantages of in-house development and outsourcing. Now, it’s time to determine which strategy is best suited for you.

In-House vs Outsourcing: How to Make the Right Choice?

In-house vs outsourcing software development—which one should you choose for your company’s success? Here are the types of projects optimal for each of these strategies:

For in-house development:

• Long-term projects. If a project requires constant development, support, and close collaboration, it makes sense to build an internal team. This is especially relevant for complex systems that are continuously evolving and require in-depth knowledge of their architecture.

• Projects involving confidential data. If you are dealing with confidential data, in-house development can guarantee its complete security. This is facilitated by better control over work processes and the absence of the need to share data with third parties.

However, as an alternative, you can turn to a reliable outsourcing provider who guarantees the security of confidential data on par with an in-house team.

• Projects that are critical for the business. These are projects that involve creating products that must fully reflect the vision, culture, and strategy of the company. If you are not sure that you can achieve this with external developers, it is better to opt for an in-house team.

‍For outsourced development:

• Projects with a limited budget. Outsourcing allows savings on developer salaries and related expenses.

• Short-term projects. If the team is only required to create a product without further updates and support, hiring in-house specialists is not advisable.

• Projects where quick time-to-market is a priority. Time savings on hiring and adaptation, the ability for round-the-clock work, and involving multiple teams contribute to faster releases.

• Projects with changing resource needs. Here, the ability of remote teams to scale quickly is key.

• Innovative projects. Access to a global talent pool enables the use of cutting-edge technologies that may not be well-developed in your region.

Thus, if you are looking to save costs, use an innovative tech stack, and outpace competitors, outsourced development will be the best choice for your company.

Darly Solutions—Your Reliable Partner in Outsourced Software Development

The Darly Solutions team is ready to be your guide in the world of creating high-quality digital solutions. We provide comprehensive services, including web and mobile development, UI/UX design, MVP development, QA and testing, and much more.

By outsourcing your project to us, you can be confident in our full immersion in your product vision, data and intellectual property security, and guaranteed adherence to project deadlines.

Contact a Darly Solutions manager, calculate the estimated costs, and start your journey to digitalization today!

From long patient wait times to inefficient manual processes and risky paper records, the healthcare sector has faced numerous challenges historically. This has created a fertile ground for doctor appointment apps. According to Verified Market Reports, in 2023 alone, the market was valued at an estimated $318.49M, projecting a surge to $862.16 million by 2030 (15.29% CAGR). 

Given the growth of AI-based solutions in telemedicine tech and the modernization of the healthcare system, we can now highlight the importance of such solutions and dive deep into the specifics of healthcare appointment apps.

What is a doctor appointment system?

A doctor appointment application — is a digital solution that automates the registration of patients for an appointment with medical specialists. However, modern solutions imply more than just scheduling online appointments. They give patients useful information about a healthcare institution's services and specialists. Also, they connect patients with doctors and give access to their records in the comfort of their homes.

Why is this system gaining traction in the healthcare sector? Let’s break it down into factors:

• The widespread digitalization of the healthcare sector.
  Healthcare is moving beyond in-person consultations in the facility. Now, it includes remote consultations, app-based therapies, and remote health tracking for timely interventions.
• The development of modern technologies.
  Various mobile applications and the affordability of smartphones make this format of interaction with patients desired and preferable.
• Reducing the workload on administrators.
  To prevent personnel burnout, medical institutions can use healthcare scheduling software systems to reduce the number of routine tasks assigned to administrators and the number of errors associated with the human factor.
• Increased patient satisfaction.
  Transparent access to doctors' schedules and the ability to choose a suitable time — increase customer loyalty.
• Increased occupancy of doctors' schedules.
  With a doctor appointment system, healthcare organizations can minimize empty appointment slots since it will be easier for patients to choose the optimal date and time for a visit.

Key doctor appointment app features

Since the Apple App Store boasts approximately 35,019 healthcare and medical apps, among which are approximately 10 to 20 types of doctor appointment apps, features might hugely range from app to app. Let's examine the main features of the doctor appointment app.

Online appointment booking

The system should have filters for doctors by specialization, review patient feedback, and book appointment availability by date and time. Additionally, patients should be able to receive reminders for upcoming appointments (e.g., push notifications, email, or SMS).

Telemedicine

For routine follow-ups, an online medical appointment system is essential. It's not a choice but an inevitability. Both patients and healthcare providers save travel time and can schedule appointments just in the app via online consultations, video conferencing, or text chat.

Integration with EMR and billing system

Integration with electronic health records provides access to the patient's medical data directly from the application, allowing doctors to update and review these records directly from the platform. As for the billing system, the PCI DSS-compliant payment gateway will be the core element of the online payment process. In addition, it provides an option for generating bills and receipts.

Feedback and ratings

Usually, this is a window where patients can rate their experiences and write reviews for specific providers using a simple scoring system. For usability, this feature must remain unobtrusive within the app interface.

FAQ and educational materials sections

The app should include a FAQ section covering usage and privacy. It should also have an educational section with information about specialists, a map of the institution, and service costs.

Monetization strategies for doctor appointment apps

The ideal monetization strategy for a doctor appointment system depends on the target audience and the organization's business model. Let's look at the most popular types of monetization in this niche:

• Subscription-based.
  According to this model, after paying for a monthly or annual subscription, patients get access to advanced features, such as priority appointments or online consultations. 
• Pay-per-booking.
  This model involves charging a fixed fee or a percentage of the service's cost (usually 5-10%) for each appointment.
• Advertising.
  Based on this model, you can publish advertisements for medical services, pharmacies, insurance companies, and other partner organizations. This can be contextual advertising, static banners, or affiliate programs (for example, you can recommend pharmacies for buying drugs).
• Payments for telemedicine services.
  This approach to monetization involves charging a fee (either a percentage of the service cost or a fixed amount) for online consultations implemented within the application.
• Patient data monetization.
  This type of monetization involves selling anonymized patient data to global healthcare corporations. They can be used in the future for both clinical research and to improve the quality of services of partner organizations (for example, insurance companies, laboratories, etc.).
• White-label solution.
  Finally, you can develop a customizable solution and sell it to other companies under their brand. In this case, you must provide a settings panel where each organization can set individual configurations.

Benefits of doctor appointment booking app development

To understand the benefits of the doctor appointment booking system, we first need to figure out the main pain points such software can solve. Previously, we’ve mentioned some, but for the sake of completeness, let's consider each of them:

• Simplification of the procedure for making an appointment with a doctor.
  Earlier, patients had to call the clinic, wait for the admin to answer, and adjust to the schedule. With the app, they can choose the best time and date within a few moments on their smartphone.
• Drop in missed sessions and treatment gaps.

With appointment alerts or medication reminders, patients won’t forget about upcoming visits to the doctor and taking medications, which ultimately saves the clinic's resources.

• Transparency of pricing.
  Some patients find it difficult to understand the cost of the services; in turn, with the application, they will have access to all the price information before making an appointment.
• Comprehensive information about doctors and services.

To prevent patients from choosing doctors blindly, the application can offer them a convenient rating system, reviews, and descriptions of services; thanks to this, they will make a more conscious decision about choosing a particular doctor/service.

• Minimization of paperwork.
  Without a doctor appointment application at hand, medical personnel often had to work with paper journals. An app that integrates with the CRM, EHR, and other software will reduce reliance on paper docs.
• Higher revenue.
  You can sell additional services through the application; moreover, its convenience and transparency increase the likelihood of repeat visits.
• Reduced need for human resources.
  The application’s launch will help reduce the need for a large administrative staff, allowing existing employees to focus less on routine tasks and more on value-driven activities.
• Greater return on marketing efforts.
  The patient's behavior analytics can help you craft more targeted offers. With insights into patient habits and preferences, you can create highly targeted offers that resonate with your audience, optimizing both campaign success and budget efficiency while increasing engagement and retention.
• Increased competitive advantage.
  Modern clinics that offer convenient digital solutions win more patients, improve operational efficiency, reduce no-show rates, and enhance patient satisfaction, all of which contribute to a stronger competitive position in the overall healthcare market.

Steps to build a doctor appointment app

Let’s check the steps included in the medical software development services that our doctor appointment app development company provides.

Market research

At this stage, our doctor appointment app development team defines the application's target audience (the patients' age, smartphone proficiency level, etc.). Next, we analyze the institution's business model for which it’s being created while researching competitors and identifying their strengths and weaknesse

Based on the insights received, we determine the app's basic and advanced features. For example, we want real-time patient monitoring through wearables. We also need to agree on the OS, which can be Android and/or iOS. Lastly, we must choose the best monetization model. Finally, we determine the necessary integrations with third-party solutions and the requirements that must be met (usually GDPR, HIPAA, etc.).

Prototyping and UX/UI design

At this point, our experts create user stories to guide the development of prototypes (first lo-fi, and when agreed upon with all stakeholders, hi-fi). Once the prototypes are finalized, our team starts working on the full-fledged doctor appointment app design. We aim to create user-friendly navigation that cuts off the input needed from the user to complete tasks. At the same time, the team works on the UI, optimizing it for mobile platforms and obtaining WCAG 2.1 accessibility guidelines.

Architecture development

This stage involves choosing an architectural approach (for example, microservices for better scalability, REST or GraphQL for API, and so on). It is also important to plan the processes that will be implemented on the server side (in particular, record management, authorization, etc.). On the client side (usually, this is the patient and administrator interface) and on the database side (as a rule, flows for transactions and caching are separated). We also select specific solutions for implementing the necessary integrations.

Coding

Now, we have everything ready to define the technology stack for the backend and frontend. This decision is based on whether native or cross-platform development will be utilized for the doctor appointment app. Once individual program modules are ready, we proceed with coding and testing each component.

Testing

Since the entire code base is ready, our doctor scheduling app development team ensures that it is fully covered with test cases to perform integration, load, and other types of testing. If there are any bugs, we will fix them immediately and then test the product again. Repeat this process until we meet all the specifications.

Launch and deployment

Finally, our doctor app development experts set up the server infrastructure (optionally, they also introduce CI/CD practices). Ensures data security (through encryption and regular security audits) and carries out a test launch of the software. If there are no critical bugs in the beta version of the application, we release it in the App Store and/or Google Play.

Post-release support and development of updates

This stage includes maintaining app stability, fixing failures, adding new features, optimizing existing ones, updating the design, and scaling with the growing user base.

Doctor appointment app design: Best practices

When it comes to the UI design of a doctor appointment app, we prioritize WCAG 2.1 guidelines. This section details and provides practical examples of their effective implementation for an optimal user experience.

• Readability of information.
  Maintain a color contrast ratio between text and background (at least 4.5:1 for normal text and 3:1 for large text). Also, include doctor avatars and icons, ensure text scalability up to 200% (without loss of functionality), and add subtitles and text transcripts for videos (if any).
• Ease of navigation.
  All UI elements should be keyboard-accessible and have a minimum clickable size of 44x44 pixels. Ensure there’s extra space around buttons or links to prevent accidental clicks and include breadcrumbs for easier navigation.
• Clarity of the interface.
  Use simple language in the interface, label all form fields, provide input format examples (like "dd.mm.yyyy"), highlight errors, and offer step-by-step instructions for complex tasks, including a progress indicator.
• Interface reliability.
  Ensure that your application is compatible with assistive technologies (for all functional elements, use ARIA labels). Test your app on various devices and ensure it uses standardized data formats like JSON and XML for smooth communication with integrated third-party servic

Of course, this is only a small part of the best practices you can implement in the doctor consultation app development process. To maximize the loyalty of your audience and better understand what the design should be — read the WCAG 2.1 guidelines directly.

Doctor scheduling app development: Overcoming key challenges

Generally speaking, everyone who is going to develop a doctor appointment app faces challenges to one degree or another. To overcome them effectively, it's crucial to understand them in advance. Let's explore them in detail:

• Integration with software solutions that you already use.
  Your application may require integration with systems and services that are either legacy or support non-standard data exchange protocols (i.e., different from HL7 and FHIR). In this case, you may need additional middleware development to ensure seamless data transfer.
• Data security.
  Medical information must be protected with particular care, as its leakage can lead to large fines and loss of reputation for your organization. To minimize risks, consider data encryption at rest and in transit, implement two-factor authentication and role-based access control. After all, try to regularly conduct pen-tests.
• Performance and scalability.
  High server load during peak hours can lead to failures in the operation of your application. To prevent this, you can initially choose cloud platforms that support autoscaling for hosting and implement data caching.
• Testing complex scenarios.
  During testing, your QA specialists risk missing complex interaction scenarios with the application. For example, when several patients simultaneously make an appointment for the same doctor or when the selected order of visits to several doctors is conflicting. To ensure comprehensive coverage of test cases, use automated testing tools.
• Accessibility.
  A confusing interface can drive users away, leading to fewer interactions with your app. To prevent this, conduct thorough UX research with real users before launch. Based on their feedback, make necessary adjustments to the app's functionality and design.
• The unwillingness of personnel to switch to new digital solutions.
  Adjusting to new rules might be hard, especially within historically established healthcare practices. You might consider providing training for your staff on how to manage new progressive software.

Beyond technical challenges, there are many business-related obstacles, from USP's definition to the choice of an effective monetization model. This is why, besides carefully selecting the right doctor appointment app development team, consider hiring skilled marketing experts, too.

Doctor appointment app development cost

From our experience of doctor appointment mobile app development, it is impossible to determine the accurate cost of such a project without understanding its functionality and the platforms it is intended for. However, based on the average cost for app development, we can give an approximate cost guide. Here’s a breakdown:

Complexity of projects:

• Simple apps typically range from $20K – $30K, and their implementation takes 4 – 6 months. These apps usually include basic functionalities like appointment scheduling and doctor search features.
• For medium apps like telemedicine integration and electronic health records (EHR), costs can rise from $30K to $45K with an approximate 6 – 9 months timeline. This includes both web and mobile platforms with a broader range of functionalities.
• Highly complex applications with real-time video consultations, comprehensive analytics dashboards, and AI-driven functionalities may exceed $45K+ and take 9 – 12 months.

Geographical variations

The cost can also vary by region:

• North America: Because of advanced technological capabilities, on average, it has the highest cost, ranging from $30K – $150K+. 
• Europe: Cost ranges from $20K – $150K, influenced by economic conditions from country to country.
• Asia: Development costs are generally lower, ranging from $20K – $100K.

Have a thriving idea for a doctor appointment app and are curious about a budget estimate for its deployment? Simply fill out this form, and we will swiftly calculate your project and contact you back.

Top 5 successful doctor appointment apps

Now, let’s explore some top-tier doctor appointment apps that excel in every aspect. These examples might inspire you to build a doctor appointment app for your healthcare organization.

Zocdoc

Zocdoc is praised for its intuitive interface and powerful search tools. The platform has an intuitive interface and powerful search tools. The platform streamlines appointments and has instant confirmation features, reminders, a feedback system, and seamless integration with insurance providers and document uploads.

Practo

Popular in India, Practo gives patients access to doctor appointments, telemedicine services, ordering medicines for delivery, and storing medical records. Patients can view individual doctor profiles, including their education, experience, and certifications, allowing them to choose the best specialists for their treatment.

Doctolib

The Doctolib application simplifies making appointments with doctors and provides the option to cancel a visit. This application is integrated with doctors' calendars, automatically sends notifications, and provides rich functionality for doctors (including scheduling management and provision of telemedicine services).

Healthgrades

As for alternatives for the US market, we cannot help but mention Healthgrades. This application helps users find doctors and medical institutions based on location, specialization, and rating. Plus, it allows patients to make appointments and get detailed information about particular specialists and organizations.

MyChart

MyChart — is a top charted app in the US and Canada. Designed to manage medical information and schedule appointments, it allows patients to communicate with doctors online and get family access.

Darly Solutions' expertise in online booking and enhanced customer engagement

The most relevant case for online doctor scheduling app development was Glamezy, a B2C solution for the beauty industry. Our client sought to create an online platform to help small and medium businesses in the beauty sector expand their reach, especially after the restrictions imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The goal was to develop a website that allowed customers to book beauty services online based on location easily. Also, the platform must have an easy and encouraging interface to communicate with potential partners while boosting sales and driving customer engagement. Ten experts worked on this project; and for the tech stack, we used React and Node.js.

As a result, we created a solution for easily searching and booking top beauty professionals. Now, the platform lets users add salons to a shortlist with one click, view nearby salons on an interactive map, and earn points for every transaction on the platform.

If you’d like to explore this case further, please visit our portfolio.

Final thoughts

It’s fair to say that at the heart of every design lies a larger goal for the benefit of humanity. A well-designed doctor appointment app boosts access and patient satisfaction while helping small and medium healthcare organizations and businesses thrive in the tech sector.

After you’ve read all the details about ideas and challenges for developing a doctor appointment app, it's time to find the right team to turn your vision into reality. 

For now, don’t settle for less. Darly Solution is here to help! Contact us today to discuss your project in detail.

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In 2024 alone, the medical imaging software market size reached $8.11B. By 2029, it is projected to grow to $11.83B and up to 7.84% at a CAGR. This is a fairly predictable trend due to the development of AI. Especially since big data, cloud technologies, and other advancements are already significantly speeding up the accuracy of diagnostics. 

If you are considering custom development of medical image analysis software, now is the most favorable time. Below, we will reveal the specifics of creating such solutions and describe the requirements and the challenges you may face.

What is the definition of medical imaging software?

Medical imaging software—it's the digital tool doctors use to examine medical images. Think X-rays, MRI and CT scans, ultrasounds, PET, and other radiology scans. Basically, it helps to see the details of every complex illness and make informed decisions about patient care.

To maximize efficiency, medical imaging software integrates a range of advanced technologies. These include AI for anomaly detection, ML for image segmentation, and methods for filtering, contrast enhancement, and noise reduction to improve image quality. 

Also, 3D reconstruction technologies create volumetric models of organs and tissues. Developers also rely on the DICOM standard for medical images as it allows seamless transfer. They also use cloud tech to access data, integrated medical records, and VR and AR to visualize data and create interactive interfaces.

As a result, with medical image analysis software, healthcare organizations reduce the workload of their doctors and researchers and minimize the likelihood of misdiagnosis.

Examples of medical imaging software

To better grasp how these solutions work, we suggest you look at several medical imaging software examples that have gained worldwide recognition.

RadiAnt DICOM viewer

It is a high-performance medical imaging software that processes DICOM images. Due to its rich functionality, both doctors and researchers use it in their work. It has smart multimodality tools for 3D and 2D visualization and MPR (multiplanar reconstruction). Moreover, developers made the interface very user-friendly, so this software is also a great choice for users with low technical skills.

OsiriX MD

Specifically designed for macOS, OsiriX MD is a powerful DICOM platform that meets the needs of radiologists. Its advanced capabilities support 3D and 4D image analysis, hybrid imaging with PET-CT and PET-MRI, and integration with PACS servers. Crucially, it is FDA- and CE-certified for clinical us.

Horos

Horos is a free OsiriX-based DICOM viewer available on macOS. It has rich customization options for analyzing volumetric data, such as 3D reconstruction, and is especially useful for students and researchers. 

GE Healthcare Centricity PACS

GE Healthcare Centricity PACS is a proprietary enterprise medical image analysis software. It has EHR and EMR integration, real-time collaboration, advanced AI analysis, DICOM standards, and format support. It can be a full-fledged assistant for doctors and researchers. 

Philips IntelliSpace Portal

Tailored for large clinical institutions, Philips IntelliSpace Portal excels in medical image analysis and visualization. It integrates AI-driven automation and tools for multiparametric imaging in cardiology, neurology, and oncology; this medical imaging software supports multi-user collaboration.

Key features of medical image processing software

This section explores the key functionalities typically found in standard medical imaging software.

Tools for viewing and processing medical images

Ensure your medical imaging software works with various input data (CT scans, MRI scans, X-rays, ultrasounds, and hybrid studies like PET-CT and PET-MRI). Usually, this is done by supporting the DICOM format. In addition, you will need tools to scale, rotate, and adjust image contrast. So, optionally, develop a panel for 3D and 4D visualization, including multiplanar reconstruction.

AI-driven image analysis 

AI is key in automating the detection of anomalies in medical scans. It can identify cancerous tumors, blood clots, and fractures early, with a high degree of independence. Also, AI in your medical imaging software can classify pathologies using trained models. It can segment organs and tissues on scans and analyze multiparametric data.

Diagnostic and treatment planning tools

This includes tools for creating 3D models, surgical planning, and evaluating the effectiveness of treatment. You should also consider integrating your medical imaging software with robotic surgical systems.

Medical data management tools

To implement effective medical data management, you will probably need to integrate your medical imaging software with PACS (for storing and transmitting data), EHRs (for centralized access to personal patient information), and cloud solutions (for unimpeded access to images from anywhere in the world where there is an Internet connection).

Collaboration tools

It's mainly for remote access so doctors and specialists can chat and comment on each other's actions. It also involves integrating telemedicine platforms to discuss complex cases and hold educational seminars.

What development?

A wide range of organizations can benefit from medical image analysis software development. Now, let's find out which areas of healthcare benefit from medical imaging software the most.

• Cardiology.

In this field, medical imaging software is mostly used to analyze CT and MRI of the heart and angiography. In addition, it monitors treatment effectiveness, plans operations, and predicts cardiovascular disease risks.

• Dentistry.

Inevitable for 3D scanning when planning dental implants, diagnosing jaw diseases, visualizing root canals, etc.

• Oncology.
  Here, medical imaging software detects and classifies tumors, tracks their growth, and assesses treatment effectiveness.

• Neurology.

In this sector, medical image analysis software analyzes brain MRIs and CTs and provides 3D visualizations to assess the spine and nerves.

• Orthopedics.

Orthopedics studies thrive on precise X-ray analysis, which includes 3D joint modeling and spinal disease diagnostics.

• Mammology.

Medical imaging software can detect microcalcifications and early breast cancer through comparative analysis of changes in mammary gland tissue.

• Urology.

In this industry, medical imaging software helps diagnose kidney and bladder diseases. It does this by analyzing CT and ultrasound images. Additionally, the software can help plan operations and monitor patients with chronic diseases.

• Pulmonology.

Industry specialists can use such software to diagnose lung diseases, analyze chest CT data, and assess COVID-19 damage.

• Gynecology.

In most cases, medical image analysis software is used to perform pregnancy ultrasounds. It helps monitor the fetus, find pelvic tumors, and analyze the endometrium and other tissues.

• Traumatology and emergency medicine.

In traumatology, 3D medical imaging software can quickly diagnose fractures and internal injuries. It can also visualize organs for urgent decisions.

Still, deciding on the right healthcare sector for your medical imaging project? Contact us and discuss the possibilities of its practical implementation with Darly Solutions' experienced developers.

Medical imaging software development: Steps to follow

Custom development must follow clearly defined stages that most teams use. But, it can still be approached in various ways. Below, we outline how healthcare software development services are delivered in our company.

Concept formation 

Start your medical imaging software project with market analysis. Define the target audience, prioritize tasks the software should solve, and research competitors (to identify their strengths and weaknesses). Based on the insights, our medical imaging software development team assesses the functional requirements and evaluates the need for specific technologies to handle image processing. This ensures that the chosen solutions align with the project's technical needs and optimize the processing of healthcare-related images.

Planning

Once we agree on the conditions with all stakeholders, we will write a technical specification for your medical imaging software. This document will describe its functionality, interface, API, security, and integration requirements. We will also approve the tech stack and necessary integrations. Finally, we create a roadmap that defines the milestones and deliverables for each medical imaging software development project stage.

Prototyping

Now that everything is ready, we can begin creating user stories. They include handling DICOM file uploads and 3D models, among other key tasks. For UX/UI best practices of safe data, we follow the WCAG 2.1 guidelines. They ensure accessibility for users with varying technical skills. We also test prototypes with focus groups to see feedback on complex features, which is helpful for future design improvement. Finally, after the edits are done, we develop a full-fledged design.

Coding

The frontend has algorithms to process and analyze medical images. The backend ensures secure data transfer between the medical imaging software and storage. It also encrypts data and protects against vulnerabilities like SQL injections. These involve writing database queries for smooth software interactions and data storage interactions. And last but not least—we also integrate with your healthcare org's existing systems and services (if any).

Testing

Once the code for your medical imaging software is ready and all components have passed unit tests, we run complete test cases. We check for load, functional, non-functional, security, and usability issues.

Deployment

At this stage, we are choosing hosting for your medical imaging software (usually either cloud or local servers), setting up CI/CD, and training end users, for example, by providing them with documentation, training materials, or live courses. Once we've done it, we deploy the solution (first in the test environment and then—in the actual usage environment).

Support and updates

Finally, after the medical imaging software is deployed, we set up monitoring systems to track its performance and detect errors, fix post-release bugs, optimize it according to user feedback, and add new features if required.

Key tech specifications for medical imaging software development

Such software development can be complex, especially in its early stages. Basically, there is often no clear way to turn an abstract idea into actual requirements. 

So, let's examine all  the key tech specifications that are usually implemented in medical imaging software apps:

• Support for common medical image formats such as DICOM (including DICOM tags for metadata) and standards for storing, transmitting, and processing medical images (such as C-STORE, C-FIND, and C-MOVE).
• Compatibility with various devices (CT, MRI, ultrasound, etc.).
• Image processing can improve images by adjusting contrast brightness and applying filters. It can also segment them to highlight organs and tissues. Lastly, it can register them to compare scans over time.
• 2D and 3D visualization, including volume rendering (CT/MRI), support for iso-sections and reconstructions, and interactivity (e.g., rotation, zoom, and pan).
• Data security, including HIPAA and GDPR compliance, support for TLS (for data transfer) and AES-256 (for image and metadata storage) encryption standards, as well as access control with role-based authorization and two-factor authentication.
• PACS and EHR/EMR integration (e.g., via HL7/FHIR).
• Annotation (adding labels, arrows, and text comments) and providing real-time collaboration tools.
• PDF report generation and image export.
• Scalability (including horizontal scaling via the cloud), multi-threading, and hardware acceleration.
• WCAG 2.1 compliance and user interface customization.
• Logging and monitoring events (including loading, processing, and exporting scans), auditing user access, tracking system performance, and setting up failure notifications.
• Local deployment of software on physical servers (most likely, this will require ensuring compatibility with Linux and Windows OS).
• Setting up regular data backups and automatic recovery after system failures.

Of course, this is just a basic list of specifications. In practice, your project team will expand and refine the list of features while specifying the tools and technologies for the project's unique needs.

Medical imaging software development cost

When it comes to the development cost of medical image analysis software it depends on its complexity and the technologies used. Without data and business needs—it's hard to define the precise price, but on average, basic DICOM (Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine) typically ranges from $30K to $300K. A customized version of Basic DICOM may cost $30K to $50K. Advanced customizations could cost $70K to $150K.

Implementation costs differ based on the size of the practice:

• Small practices typically cost $5K to $10K and take 1 to 2 weeks.
• Medium facilities cost $20K to $50K and take 1 to 3 months.
• Large enterprises may cost $100K to $200K and take 3 to 6 months.

Please complete this form to calculate the precise budget for your medical imaging software development idea. We will contact you shortly.

Challenges in medical imaging software development

Let's examine the main challenges encountered when developing medical imaging software.

• Regulatory compliance.
  Software handling sensitive data, like patient information, must comply with HIPAA, GDPR, FDA 21 CFR Part 11, and CE Marking regulations. Key security measures include code audits, RBAC, 2FA, and strong encryption (e.g., AES-256, TLS).
  To avoid fines, consult a local lawyer on medical standards.

• Integration with existing systems.
  Integrating PACS, EHRs, and other systems requires DICOM, HL7, and FHIR support. Also, medical organizations have very different established IT infrastructures, which makes it hard to unify their software. If you create a universal solution, you must provide some middleware. It will help users adapt to various services and systems.

• High performance and scalability.

Medical images, especially CT and MRI, are large. This can slow their processing and increase resource needs.
In this regard, you may need to implement lossless compression mechanisms for images and multithreading and parallel data processing algorithms. By the way, a common fix is to move your software to a cloud solution designed for healthcare businesses.

• The complexity of big data management.

Storing and processing massive data, like images and metadata, require a careful choice of databases and storage. In particular, this implies a preference for distributed databases and object storage.
For even greater reliability, do not forget to provide backup and auto-recovery.

• Risks associated with cyber attacks.

Cyber attacks that leak medical data are a serious problem for healthcare software. To solve it, you must implement constant monitoring. Also, set up regular security updates, including patches and OS updates.
Finally, train your staff on social engineering. It can reduce the risks of phishing attacks.
Providing a user-friendly interface.
Interfaces for doctors and medical personnel should be user-friendly and intuitive, requiring minimal technical training to operate efficiently. To achieve this goal, you must test hi-fi prototypes on the real target audience and perform subsequent optimizations. Also, do not forget to ensure your interface is created under the WCAG 2.1 guidelines.

The future of medical imaging software

Medical imaging software development will advance by adopting the newest technologies, process optimization, and increased integration with other medical systems. 

So, here are the core areas in which medical imaging software can be optimized:

• Speeding up diagnostic.
• Increasing image recognition accuracy.
• Costs reduction.
• Improving user experience.

This can be achieved through the implementation and development of the following technologies:

• Artificial intelligence and machine learning.

For highly accurate and automatic analysis of medical images and accelerated diagnostics.

• Cloud computing.

To provide quick access to medical images from anywhere in the world, process large amounts of data without the need to upgrade local infrastructure, and implement remote collaboration between healthcare specialists.

• VR/AR.

Medical imaging software development allows anatomy and pathologies to be studied using interactive 3D models and visualize the patient's anatomy before surgery.

• Quantum computing.

While most quantum computers are not yet available for widespread use, they will speed up processing large datasets and training neural networks for image recognition in a few years.

• Blockchain.

To guarantee the immutability and protection of data from medical imaging software while providing patients with comprehensive control over their medical information.

Our experience in medical imaging software development

This section covers the development of the PrismaORM brain scanner. This platform was crafted for chiropractors, neurologists, and neurosurgeons to monitor brain activity and brainwaves before, during, and after chiropractic treatments.

First, we assembled a team of eight experts to bring this vision to life. They worked closely with two external teams of medical imaging software engineers. We've pointed out a tech stack based on PostgreSQL, Typescript, React Native, Nest.js, Expo, Three.js, and SQLite. This tech of choice lets us build a platform that processes real-time data from brain activity helmets. The BLE protocol transmits this data. A tablet interface visualizes it. A key to the project's success was optimizing the user experience. This included better platform performance and integrating 3D models.

As a result—we've made a powerful tool that empowers medical professionals to conduct more precise diagnostics and offer more effective treatment recommendations. 

For a detailed look at this project, visit our portfolio.

Wrapping up

Now that you understand the specifics of medical image analysis software development, you can begin searching for a team to bring your project to life. We are a reliable provider of custom healthtech solutions, ensuring a smooth, transparent, and predictable collaboration. Simply fill out the form, and we'll get in touch as soon as possible to discuss your medical imaging software project in detail.

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