What Is on Demand Doctor App Development and Why Turn to It?

If the only thing you get is the certainty that you provide healthcare services that your patients are delighted with. If the only thing you get is reduced healthcare costs by eliminating the need for physical patients’ presence. If the only thing you get is an opportunity to master a new value stream by offering medical services on demand. If you get any one of these things, it’ll be worth the investment in doctor on-demand app development. The truth is you won’t receive only these things. You’ll get more.

Read our guide to unveil how doctor on-demand app development can help you increase patient reach and telehealth service accessibility and how to create such a solution.

The doctor on-demand app is a digital platform that allows healthcare establishments to provide patients with immediate medical advice and services through an online connection with licensed physicians and medical specialists. The development of such software brings multiple advantages to caregivers, providing convenience, flexibility, and a high standard of care.

Let's take a closer look at what benefits you can get from on-demand doctor app development:

You can reach out to more patients using the on-demand doctor app. Some people prefer online services or can't get to the hospital. On-demand doctor app development will allow you to retain patients with busy schedules, who live far away, or have limited mobility in your customer base. Additionally, it provides a convenient solution for those seeking immediate consultations and fosters continuous patient engagement and satisfaction.

Using this kind of app, you will be able to track and manage the daily workload of your staff much more efficiently. This way, you can avoid overload or downtime, increasing overall efficiency. Additionally, it enables better resource allocation and enhances productivity by ensuring that staff members are optimally utilized throughout their shifts.

Using an on-demand doctor app allows you to reduce paperwork. In turn, this will enable you to optimize costs and time on administrative tasks. Moreover, automation of appointment management allows physicians to concentrate on quality caregiving. By streamlining administrative processes, healthcare providers can enhance patient care and overall operational efficiency.

Telehealth platforms allow patients to conveniently book appointments, see available physician schedules, and receive reminders for upcoming consultations. Creating an on-demand app will improve your patient experience and satisfaction, which will help you get more repeat patients. By offering convenient appointment booking and reminders, online doctor apps enhance patient engagement and loyalty, ultimately leading to better retention rates and increased revenue for the healthcare industry.

Doctor-on-demand platforms can provide healthcare business owners with analytics about which services are popular, which doctors are more in demand, and other key metrics. This constant analysis of performance indicators enables more informed decision-making, allowing for better resource allocation and strategic planning.

Doctor on-demand app development allows you to expand the range of services and the number of medical providers without being tied to a specific location. This flexibility enables you to reach a broader audience and cater to diverse patient needs. Moreover, you can offer additional services such as virtual training, psychological support, and wellness programs, thereby increasing your revenue streams and enhancing patient satisfaction.

Telehealth platforms allow you to continue providing healthcare services under restricted and quarantined conditions. Providing medical consultations online, you can minimize the risks of spreading infections. Thus, doctor on demand app development allows to reduce the potential of contagion among patients and physicians since all services are provided remotely.

These are not all the benefits of on-demand doctor app development. Depending on the needs of your healthcare business, you can create a unique platform that allows you to reduce overall administrative costs, provide better virtual care and outperform your competitors.

Apart from the numerous benefits of on-demand doctor app development, it also allows you to master the new value stream. Monetization strategies for doctor on-demand apps can vary depending on healthcare business goals, market conditions, and customer needs.

Here are some revenue models how you can make money by monetizing such software:

Consultation fees involve charging patients for medical consultations and services, either through a flat fee per consultation or bundled packages. For example, a patient might pay $100 for a single virtual consultation with a doctor. Alternatively, they could purchase a package of five consultations for $400, effectively receiving one consultation for free. This model offers flexibility for patients, allowing them to choose the payment option that best suits their needs and budget while ensuring a steady stream of revenue for the platform.

Subscription models offer patients the option to buy weekly, monthly, or yearly subscriptions. These packages could include a certain number of consultations and additional benefits, such as health insurance coverage or discounts on medication. For example, a monthly subscription might provide unlimited consultations and a 10% discount on prescriptions.

Commissions involve charging a small fee on each transaction between patients and doctors. For instance, if a doctor charges $100 for a consultation, the platform might take a 10% commission, earning $10 per consultation. This method ensures that revenue grows as the number of online consultations increases.

Partnerships with insurance companies or corporate clients can also generate revenue. For example, an insurance company might pay a fixed annual fee for all their policyholders to access the app, or a large corporation might offer the service as part of their employee benefits package.

Value-added services and products offer additional revenue streams by providing services such as medication delivery, health product sales, virtual workouts, or psychological support. For instance, a patient could order prescribed medications directly through the app and have them delivered to their home, generating additional income for the platform.

Advertising and partnerships with manufacturers can also be lucrative. For example, the app could feature advertisements for pharmaceutical products or partner with health and wellness brands to promote their products to users. This could include anything from over-the-counter medications to fitness equipment, with the platform earning revenue through advertising fees or partnership agreements.

Choosing certain monetization strategies depends on the specific needs of your healthcare business. You can also combine multiple monetization methods to provide a stable and diverse source of income.

Doctor on-demand app development includes creating two solutions: one for the healthcare providers and one for the patient. Each app should contain several essential features necessary for its proper functioning. Let's take a look at the core features for both parts of the doctor on-demand app:

The patient-side app aims to provide the most convenient remote healthcare services possible and should be equipped with the following basic features.

User registration and profile. Patients can create an account in the app by filling in the required information, such as name, email, and password, to access the app's functionality. You can also add extra registration options, for example, via social networks. Also, it is worth implementing a Know Your Customer (KYC) module to ensure reliable patient verification. After signing up, patients should complete their profile and provide relevant information.

Appointment scheduling. This feature allows patients to book appointments at their convenience. The booking mechanism includes such steps: the patient selects a suitable doctor, finds a convenient date and time in the physician's schedule, and books an appointment.

Audio and video consultations. Patients can schedule online consultations with medical professionals by choosing a convenient time in the doctor's timetable. Audio and video calls allow patients to receive real-time, remote medical care.

Note: By additionally integrating the virtual waiting room healthcare module into the app, you can further improve patient satisfaction. Learn more about it in our guide.

In-app messages. Through the chat screen, doctors and patients can communicate, discuss details before consultations, and interact comfortably after the meeting. It's a reliable channel for getting additional information and having seamless conversations.

Search medical specialists. Patients can select doctors based on specialty, location, and rating. This helps customers find the right medical provider for their needs. Users can also read other patients' reviews and ratings, which helps them make informed decisions about choosing a doctor.

Payment gateway. Payment gateway integration allows patients to pay for medical consultations and services through the application. You can choose one of reliable payment service providers as Stripe, Paypal, Braintree, or integrate them all.

The physician app has many similar features to the patient app, such as audio and video calls, messaging, and registration and login. However, there are some specialized features that are needed on the doctor's side:

Dashboard with patient info. Each doctor gets a virtual workspace to have a consolidated view of the patient's medical history. It allows practitioners to manage their schedule, see upcoming and past consultations, and track their activity, and more.

Doctor profile. Doctors can create detailed and expressive profiles, demonstrating their specialization and experience. These profiles can contain descriptions, qualifications, and even photos so patients can get more information about a provider.

Appointment management. This feature allows caregivers to set up their schedules, define time intervals for patient consultations, and instantly see appointment requests. Physicians should also have the ability to schedule appointments independently, for example, if they need to set a date to monitor the treatment progress.

E-prescriptions control. This feature allows doctors to create and issue electronic prescriptions to patients during consultations, providing dosage details, instructions, and the names of medications.

The listed features are the basics for the on-demand doctor app. You can also add some advanced features depending on the individual needs of your medical startup or clinic. If you are unsure, start with the key features, adding new ones after completing on-demand doctor app development and collecting initial user feedback.

Admin panel

You’ll also need an admin panel to supervise all the stakeholders involved.. This feature plays an important role by providing user and physician management, coordinating scheduling and payments, monitoring activity and security. It also provides the analytics and support necessary for efficient operation and successful platform development.

Successful doctor on-demand app requires a careful approach to the process and adherence to all the necessary steps. Let's take a look at the on demand doctor app development flow on the example of our Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC).

Doctor on-demand app development starts with an application you leave on our website. Your personal manager with experience in Healthcare contacts you to clarify initial product’s details, answer your questions, and schedule a meeting with the team. We also sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) at this stage per your request.

The next step is the meeting with our Solution Design team, which consists of the Solution Architect, Business Analysts, and Designer. The specialists will define your primary business goals, scope of work, basic quality attributes, and functional and non-functional requirements for on-demand doctor appointment platform. Based on this information,the team prepares a rough estimate, team composition, and a timeline; next, we form a proposal.

During this phase, the team will turn the requirements into a clear doctor-on-demand app development plan. Our experts compile a detailed list of features, prepare design concepts and UX map, identify development platforms and third-party integrations. The solution architect may also recommend which features to add first. Based on this information, the team will provide you with a detailed estimate. Also, experts pay special attention to data privacy, security and regulatory compliance to reduce privacy risks and security threats typical for mHealth apps.

Data protection

Healthcare data protection and privacy in doctor-on-demand applications is crucial, as you can't process Personal Health Information (PHI) without robust security tools. Our team employs the following instruments to ensure telemedicine software security:

• Access control (role-based access restriction)
• Automatic logouts
• Multi-Factor Authentication
• Activity monitoring
• Industry-standard data encryption
• Data transfer following HL7, HTTPS, and WebRTC standards

Regulatory compliance

Compliance with international and local health regulations is an equally important point of on-demand doctor app development. For example, these may include complying with HIPAA for the US, GDPR for the EU, PIPEDA for Canada, SCFHS in Saudi Arabia, and AHPRA for Australia.

At Cleveroad, we have 11+ years of experience developing healthcare software compliant with various industry regulations, including HIPAA, GDPR, FDA, FHIR, DICOM, SSDA, and others. Developing software to meet regulatory requirements allows for fully legal and safe handling of PHI and ePHI and avoiding fines and other issues.

Note: If you have healthcare business in the USA, check our tips on successful HIPAA compliant software development to build a secure medical solution

Once all the planning steps are completed, the project moves on to developers who start building your doctor-on-demand app. At Cleveroad, we adhere to the Agile methodology, namely the Scrum framework. This approach allows us to provide flexibility and adaptability to changing requirements and reduce potential risks. The application is built in sprints, during which developers create some part of the agreed functionality. On average, one sprint lasts 2 weeks. Each sprint is accompanied by testing, during which QA engineers check the quality and functionality of each module. They also run additional tests after doctor on-demand development is finished to ensure the application functions correctly and there are no bugs.

There are two approaches to on-demand doctor app development process based on your needs:

Tech stack for doctor on-demand app development can include the following (but is not limited to these tools):

• Mobile: Swift, Objective-C, Kotlin, Java ,Flutter
• Front-end: React Native, Vue.js, Angular
• Back-end: Node.js, Python, Express.js
• Cloud: Amazon Web Services (AWS), Google Cloud Platform (GCP)
• Notifications: Firebase Cloud Messaging (FCM), Apple Push Notification Service (APNs)
• Payment gateways: Stripe, Paypal, Braintree

After the team completes doctor on demand app development, they will be ready to release the application. Then, the team will give you all the documentation, including specifications, design details, credentials to other services, source code, etc. However, your cooperation with the software vendor does not end after the release. You can continue the partnership to improve your doctor-on-demand app (by adding more advanced functionality) based on end-user feedback. Also, support and maintenance services include bug fixes and updates.

There is a wide variety of doctor-on-demand applications that differ in approach, features, etc. We have collected for you some of the best solutions on the market so that you can consider their example when planning on-demand doctor app development.

Teladoc is the leading virtual medical consultation application providing 24/7 access to licensed doctors and healthcare professionals. Users can communicate with doctors via video and phone calls, receiving medical advice, diagnoses, and prescriptions for various diseases. Regardless of the time of day, Teladoc provides the convenience of medical care, making it an indispensable tool for those seeking urgent and professional advice. A key feature of Teladoc is its high level of availability - 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, making it a reliable companion in remote medical care.

Doctor On Demand is a platform that provides a wide range of virtual medical consultations for patients of all ages. Through video consultations, users can get advice from doctors, consultations from psychologists, and help from lactation specialists. The doctors available through this app offer expert information and advice on diagnoses, treatments, and patient support. One of the main features of Doctor On Demand is the ability to receive consultations in a wide range of medical fields, which provides comprehensive medical coverage and a personalized approach.

Amwell is a virtual consultation platform that connects users with doctors and healthcare professionals to discuss health issues. Patients can receive advice on general health, dermatology, and mental health issues. This is a convenient solution for those who are looking for remote consultations from licensed doctors and specialists. A key feature of Amwell is its extensive coverage of medical fields, providing a multifaceted approach to medical services.

PlushCare is a progressive virtual medical consultation app that gives patients access to highly qualified doctors and therapists. Users can receive personalized care, including diagnostics, consultations, and prescriptions, covering a variety of diseases and conditions. PlushCare allows users to connect with experienced healthcare professionals from anywhere while maintaining a high standard of medical expertise. One of the main features of PlushCare is the emphasis on quality medical care, allowing patients to receive caring attention and competent advice.

MDLIVE is a virtual medical consultation platform providing access to doctors and therapists. Users can get advice on general health, mental health, and other areas of medicine. This is a convenient and effective solution for those who are looking for expert medical care at a distance. One of the key characteristics of MDLIVE is its holistic approach to healthcare, which allows patients to discuss various aspects of their health with experienced professionals.

Since you already know all the critical features of doctor on-demand app development, we can consider the cost of creating such a solution. Our estimate is based on essential features and an hourly rate of $50 per hour,which is an average rate for Central and Eastern Europe.

Please note that these numbers are approximate and can vary depending on your business needs and feature list.

Given the amount of work, it will cost you approximately $110,000 - $170,000+ to build an on-demand doctor app. Remember that this estimate only considers the application development cost with the basic features for one platform. If you plan doctor appointment app development for two platforms (iOS and Android), the price will be doubled.

On-demand doctor app development also requires the work of UI/UX designers, QA engineers, business analysts, solution architects, etc. The cost of their work is estimated separately and is not included in this calculation. Feel free to contact our Healthcare business development manager for a personalized estimation of your telehealth product.

Cleveroad is a healthcare app development company with 11+ years of experience in IT. We help medical startups and healthcare establishments to automate and digitize caregiving by building custom and robust medical systems.

Our team has hands-on experience developing various medical and telehealth solutions, including Electronic Health Records (EHR), telemedicine systems, remote patient monitoring software, e-prescription and doctor on-demand apps, etc.

Our team recently built the telemedicine appointments management system for our client company, a UK-based provider of healthcare consultations. The client chose Cleveroad as an experienced healthcare IT provider to start a project with. To address client's business needs, we:

• Developed a turnkey telemedicine system with an appointment management module
• Ensured software compliance with EU and UK healthcare regulations, including GDPR, CQC and MHRA
• Created functionality for simple and quick appointment booking, video, and audio consultations
• Added a Know-Your-Customer (KYC) module to simplify patient verification

As a result, our client received a flexible telemedicine system with appointment management functionality, which allows them to provide online healthcare services and master the telemedicine niche. Also, the system's flexibility and business process automation allowed the company to decrease manual operations, improve performance, and reduce paperwork by 5-20%.