facebook

Outsource Healthcare Software Development : Should You? If So, How?

August 13, 2024
Reading time: 3 min

Running a healthcare project or upgrading your medical tech infrastructure? Though I run an outsourcing company, after 20 years of trial and error I admit this strategy isn’t for everyone. But if you’re facing limited resources, tight timelines and unique challenges, here’s a guide on how to make it work.

Is Outsourcing the Right Move?

Outsourcing can save money and offer flexibility, allowing you to scale up or down based on project needs. This is particularly valuable in the healthcare industry, where compliance with strict regulations and tight timelines is crucial. However, outsourcing means you’re giving up some control and relying on external teams.

For those who prioritize maintaining control, outstaffing is a viable alternative. This involves hiring external employees who work with your team but are employed by another company. This model allows for greater oversight and integration without the HR complexities of direct hiring.

In healthcare, outstaffing can be particularly beneficial for roles like IT support, data analysis, and project management, where seamless integration with your internal team is crucial for maintaining quality and compliance.

Key Areas to Outsource in Healthcare Software Development

When considering outsourcing in healthcare, focus on areas that are essential yet not core to your operations. Here are key tasks where outsourcing can be particularly effective:

1. Electronic Health Records (EHR) Systems Development

Outsourcing the development of EHR systems can ensure your system is user-friendly, secure, and compliant with healthcare regulations such as HIPAA. By working with specialized external developers, you can create efficient EHR systems that streamline patient data management and improve clinical workflows.

This also means you quickly gain access to advanced features like automated data entry, patient portals, and integrated billing systems without diverting your in-house resources from core activities.

2. Telemedicine Platforms Development

Outsourcing the development of telemedicine platforms can help you quickly bring robust, secure, and compliant solutions to market. These platforms facilitate remote consultations, patient monitoring, and communication between healthcare providers and patients.

This approach allows you to leverage external expertise in the latest technologies in video conferencing, secure data transmission, and patient management systems, which can be rapidly implemented to meet growing patient demands.

3. Mobile Health (mHealth) Apps Development

Outsourcing this task allows you to leverage specialized skills in creating apps that track health metrics, provide medication reminders, and offer telehealth services. These apps must be user-friendly, secure, and compliant with healthcare standards.

An experienced external team will ensure your apps include the latest innovations in healthcare technology, such as AI-driven health monitoring and secure patient data management, at a reduced cost and faster development time.

4. Data Analytics

Outsourcing data analytics helps you make sense of this data, uncovering insights that can improve patient care and operational efficiency. External experts can analyze trends, predict health outcomes, and enhance decision-making processes.

This can significantly speed up your time to market and allow you to provide personalized patient care in no time. Advanced analytics can also help in identifying patterns in patient data that might not be apparent with standard in-house analysis methods.

5. Cybersecurity

Outsourcing cybersecurity ensures your systems are fortified against breaches and comply with stringent regulations. Specialists can implement robust security measures, conduct regular audits, and allow you to respond swiftly to any threats.

Experienced external teams can help you mitigate risks and ensure compliance with complex healthcare regulations. By outsourcing, you also benefit from the latest cybersecurity technologies and practices, which are constantly updated to counter new threats.

How to Evaluate the Outsourcing Potential of Other Tasks?

When considering outsourcing for your healthcare project, it’s essential to start by evaluating tasks. Focus on areas where in-house expertise may be lacking, or where specialized knowledge and efficiency are needed. Ask yourself whether outsourcing these tasks could save time, reduce costs, or provide access to the latest technology and expertise.

But more than this, ask yourself if you’ll feel comfortable with outsourcing this specific task. _Yes, it’s a subjective perspective, but if you won’t feel comfortable the whole project might fail. _

Looking to outsource or outstaff your healthcare project? Contact us, we might have a couple of experienced organic teams for you to choose from.