In recent years, we have witnessed rapid development in digital health. Partly influenced by the pandemic, global healthcare providers are innovating their services with web and mobile technologies. Statista predicts that digital health’s market value will hit $258 billion by 2029, compared to $171 billion in 2024.
Understandably, many healthcare startups and SMBs compete to launch their products in the digital healthcare space. Most of them have no major issues rolling out the initial versions to their target audience. However, when they needed to scale it to accommodate user growth, many struggled, especially if the apps weren’t built with scalability in mind.
In this article, Yan Likarenko, product manager at Uptech, shares digital health product scaling strategies that you can apply to your own healthcare solution. We’ll guide you in building a scalable healthcare product that not only caters to growing demands but also appeals to investors.
5 Signs That Your Digital Health Product Requires Scaling
Some healthcare companies hesitate to scale their products because of the time, effort, and cost involved. For example, some founders came to us reporting a high crash rate and slower load time as they onboarded more users. And because they did so promptly, they can avoid costly scaling setbacks.
So, watch out for these signs. If you see any, feel free to reach out to our team.
Your solution experiences performance issues
Slow-loading screens, app crashes, server disconnection, and other unexpected erratic behaviors might point to an app suffering from capacity bottlenecks. As users grow beyond your product’s capacity, performance will deteriorate, which affects service quality.
You’re still operating on the MVP
While MVP helps you get to the market quickly and validate your idea, it isn’t meant for long-term growth. An MVP, despite how robust it is, is limited to fundamental features. Over time, your users would request new features or improvements that can help them access quality patient care.
Competitors are releasing better apps
If you don’t scale, you can’t compete with other digital health providers that do. To stay ahead of the competition, scaling is necessary. It lets you introduce new features, accommodate growing traffic, and keep pace with modern trends in healthcare.
Let’s say your competitor is gaining traction by focusing on gamification in healthcare. They can then engage the patients more effectively by tracking progress, rewarding points, and encouraging healthy habits.
Your competitors will also likely leverage AI-driven features to boost customer engagement, workflow productivity, and more. For example, AI can automatically schedule appointments, retrieve lab reports, and assist with insurance claims.
On top of that, you will also lose out if your app isn’t interoperable with EHR, insurance, and other systems that medical providers use. Naturally, medical professionals would prefer a solution that works cohesively with their workflow, and not replacing entire systems.
So, unless you can deliver such changes, you might lose your market share.
You struggle to comply with industrial regulations
Healthcare regulations continuously evolve to protect patient’s interests. To continue operating in the industry, you must comply with HIPAA, GDPR, CCPA, and other healthcare acts. If you don’t scale fast enough, your app might not comply with the latest requirements.
You fail to attract investors
Investors favor business models that can scale to meet growing demands. Even if you’re at a startup stage, you must demonstrate that your app is designed to cater to growth. And that means provisioning for scaleable cloud infrastructure, distributable app architecture, data security, and other key measures.
Increased demand/ Number of users grows so fast
At a certain point, you will experience user growth more than your app and its backend infrastructure can handle. That’s when you start getting complaints, security issues, and crash reports. It’s also an obvious sign that to scale. Take Headspace, an app offering mindfulness meditation, for example. Not only is it hosted on AWS, but it uses a security identity solution on the cloud to scale its app for 70+ million users.
Digital Health Product Scaling Strategies for Long-Term Success
As founders and CTOs seek to quickly reach the market, they might overlook critical elements required to foster long-term growth. Scalability, in which benefits are felt at a later stage, should be made a priority early in healthcare app development.
At Uptech, we’ve helped healthcare clients build and scale their digital care solutions across market segments. Below, we share some strategies that have been proven to work.
Product-market alignment
A strategic product-market fit has brought your company so far. And so it will as you seek further growth. The key to maintaining the alignment is to understand your customer’s needs and fulfill them. In fact, a study highlighted user satisfaction and clinical efficacy as key factors in overcoming digital health implementation challenges. To achieve that, you need to rope in existing users and seek their feedback..
Let’s say you have released a telemedicine app, and it’s getting good responses from doctors, patients, and other healthcare professionals. Use the opportunity to form a group of advocates. Then, gather feedback from them to guide your product direction. This way, you’ll know which features to prioritize and remove redundant ones as you plan for future releases.
Grow with partners
Scaling a digital health product requires a collaborative effort that few startups or SMBs can undertake alone. Instead, it’s better to strike partnerships with NGOs, authorities, medical professionals, healthcare organizations, and other key stakeholders. Various positive outcomes can result from this, including:
- Wider exposure and audience reach.
- Access to healthcare insights and clinical data.
- Endorsement or recommendation from doctors.
- Creating more value for patients and users.
Remember, a digital healthcare app isn’t only beneficial to medical professionals and patients. When you want to scale your product, try collaborating with entities like insurers, pharmaceutical companies, and organizations in the broader healthcare ecosystem.
Ensure system interoperability
In healthcare, data exchange is vital to ensure all medical units operate smoothly. So, make sure that your solution and existing system share a common data exchange framework, such as FHIR, HL7, or DxF.
Also, audit the cloud and network infrastructure you use to host existing solutions. Whether scaling vertically or horizontally, like increasing processing capacity or adding more servers, you need access to more computing power, storage, and security. Make sure that your cloud provider can support the ongoing computing demand. Otherwise, consider alternative providers.
Prioritize regulatory compliance
Whether it’s HIPAA, GDPR, CCPA, or other local acts, don’t make compliance an afterthought. Rather, compliance should be made a priority when implementing digital transformation in healthcare. For example, the development team must meet stringent guidelines when defining policies, designing databases, writing codes, testing, and other software development activities.
If you’ve established a solid compliance framework from the start, you’ll avoid costly reworks and potential penalties later on. In a way, scaling is also more effortless. That’s why when we built a mental health app targeting the US market, we made sure the app complies with HIPAA and other state laws. This will allow our client to scale the product to more companies in the future. Some countries, like the US, Canada, and EU nations, also require apps to comply with WCAG to make web content more accessible.
Leverage generative artificial intelligence
Scaling your health app isn’t solely about adding more features but increasing the value it offers users. In this sense, consider tapping into the potential of genAI in healthcare. For example, you can integrate AI chatbots to provide 24/7 customer support without increasing hiring costs.
Large language models (LLMs) are exceptional in analyzing data at scale and discovering complex patterns. They can help you resolve data processing bottlenecks, which are common when summarizing lab results, invoicing, submitting claims, and other administrative processes.
10 Steps For Successful Digital Health Product Scaling
By now, you would have known if your app requires scaling and the strategies to do so. What’s left are practical steps on how to scale your digital health product to move forward.
At Uptech, we work closely with clients to scale their products to meet evolving demands. We implement steps to maintain app stability, security, and functionality. And you can find them below.
Step 1: Build an ecosystem for scale
Scaling an app requires a balance among people, processes, and systems. All the stakeholders, including doctors, medical staff, management executives, and the board of directors, must share the same vision of what growth means to the organization.
More importantly, they must come to an agreement on what the scale-up targets are. This means asking probing questions and getting feedback from the stakeholders; for example:
- Will the upgrade result in higher profitability?
- Can the existing infrastructure support growing traffic?
- Are you addressing market demands?
- What are the key factors that attract investors?
After outlining the growth vision, audit the existing systems and tech capabilities to Identify the tech gap that is preventing scaling efforts. For example, many organizations want to implement ChatGPT in healthcare applications. However, they might not be aware of the limitations of AI models and the data risks involved.
In this case, it’s better to consult with an experienced AI developer like Uptech. We have built AI-powered solutions like Angler AI, Dyvo AI, and Hamlet. We know how to train, test and deploy AI models while safeguarding user’s data.
On this note, we need to stress that scaling is, ultimately, addressing the user’s needs. Each iteration, whether adding more features or increasing processing capability, is about solving the user’s problems. So, take note of current inefficiencies, bottlenecks, or issues your users face, and use it as a guide to improve your product.
Step 2: Find the right markets
Don’t assume you can automatically replicate your success in the new market. Healthcare is a complex industry, and every region has its respective cultures and practices. So, be open to exploring different strategies to reach your audience, especially if they’re spread across regions.
Take OpenMRS, for example. Although the EMR system has a global user base, it’s primarily active in the African region. There, local healthcare organizations can customize and tailor the software to meet local demands and requirements.
Step 3: Create strategic partnerships
As we mentioned, forming the right partnership is pivotal in scaling your digital healthcare apps. Primarily, your focus is on delivering value to medical professionals. But if you got involved in the technicalities of app development, like provisioning cloud infrastructure, developing codes, or training AI models, you’ll stretch your resources thin.
So, seek partners that will help you meet your scaling targets. For example, you can collaborate with app developers like Uptech to avoid common hurdles. We help healthcare startups and SMBs accelerate development by using API to create flexible, microservice-based architecture.
Step 4: Prepare the backend
Scaling a digital health product requires expanding storage, network, processing, and other computing capacities. If you’re running on private servers, consider migrating to a cloud-based architecture. Cloud, as compared to monolithic systems or private networks, is more scalable.
Besides that, it’s equally important to fully automate the backend processes. All business logic that runs on the backend must run without manual intervention. On top of that, you must also anticipate traffic spikes and mitigate them with load balancing, content delivery network, and other measures.
Step 5: Ensure regulatory compliance
Whether you’re scaling within or across geographical boundaries, we want to stress the importance of complying with the respective regulations. Check out this table for the common healthcare and data privacy acts.
If you’re expanding to emerging markets, make sure you comply with the respective local and regional acts.
Step 6: Focus on data privacy and security
Digital health product scaling can introduce data risks, which might compromise user’s privacy. For example, implementing chatbots in healthcare requires training and feeding AI models with medical data. Without appropriate protection, your healthcare product might become a target for cybercriminals.
Therefore, applying security measures throughout app development is pivotal. For example, at Uptech,
- We encrypt sensitive information collected, stored, and processed by medical apps.
- We enforce authentication and authorization to regulate user access based on their roles.
- We implement secure coding practices that address OWASP vulnerabilities.
More importantly, we help clients advise users of their data rights and educate them on how to use the solution securely.
Step 7: Invest in a cross-functional team
Some startups eventually realized that when scaling a product, they can’t rely on one or a handful of developers. While you might be able to produce a functional prototype with limited resources, scaling it for growth is a different matter.
Often, you’ll need to bring in talents equipped with unique skills to implement the changes. And that includes.
- Backend developer.
- Frontend developer
- UI/UX designer
- Machine learning engineer
- QA engineer
- Business analysts
- Project manager.
For founders or event CTOs, hiring, training, and managing a team of multi-disciplinary experts can be overwhelming. That’s why many choose healthcare software development partners like Uptech. This way, you can focus on your core business while we develop your app.
Step 8: Build a scalable business model
Not every business is scalable. And that’s a fact you need to be mindful of. As you scale your app, ensure it fits into the business model you’re operating on. Ask questions like the ones below to understand if your business is prime for growth.
- Does expanding your presence in new markets create new financial challenges?
- Can you turn user growth into revenue and profit?
- How does it impact your operational cost?
- Should you make adjustments to your pricing structure to remain profitable?
Step 9: Test before scaling
Don’t release your new app before thoroughly testing it. As with all software, bugs and technical issues will impact user experience. And that’s the last thing you want your users to go through with the anticipated upgrade.
So, make app testing a priority, preferably throughout the development process. Conduct various tests, such as unit tests, feature tests, and integration tests, to identify potential issues and fix them. We did that when building apps for SMBs and startups. And that’s how we managed to achieve a 99% crash-free app.
Step 10: Think scale upfront
Scaling shouldn’t be an afterthought. Rather, start with scalability in mind when you first build your app. Even if you’re planning to build a prototype for a limited audience, create a roadmap that visualizes how the app will evolve over time. Then, choose a web or mobile tech stack that allows you to add new features, increase computing capacity, or integrate with 3rd parties flexibly from the start. This way, you don’t have to revamp the entire app architecture later on, which can be costly when you need to scale.
Why Is Scalability So Important And At The Same Time So Difficult?
On paper, scaling is the natural path for healthcare companies to grow and remain competitive in the market. But it’s easier said than done. Chances are, you will face these challenges as you try to scale your app.
Data security and privacy
To create more robust healthcare apps, healthcare providers need to tap into the massive data generated throughout various touch points. And they need to be careful and transparent in doing so. Otherwise, the user’s trust will erode. For example, care.data, a scheme by NHS UK, attracted controversies because citizens are concerned about their data being potentially abused.
Solution
Educate users about which information is being collected and provide options for them to manage their data. You can do so by clearly publishing your data policy. Plus, you can seek our help to implement data security measures like encryption and multi-factor authentication.
Interoperability
Often, your healthcare app must integrate with existing medical systems. This is required to streamline medical workflows in a hospital or clinic. However, if the existing systems are operating with legacy hardware or software, such efforts can be challenging.
Solution
Before you scale the product, conduct an audit of existing systems. This will give you a clearer picture of whether they’re interoperable or if slight modification or a total revamp is required. If you’re doubtful, talk to our software team. With experience building and scaling hundreds of apps, we can advise you on the best course of action.
Costs
The time and effort software developers put into developing an app can result in a substantial sum. And this might cause some founders and CTOs to hesitate to scale their apps. Eventually, the investment must be justified by potential revenue growth. Otherwise, the company will take a longer period to recoup the app development cost. If you’re wondering how much a mobile app costs, check out this guide, where we show how to estimate mobile app development cost.
Solution
Choose IT infrastructure that provides more savings as computing resources increase. At the same time, consider outsourcing or augmenting your software team with external developers. For example, companies worldwide engage our healthcare software development services to build their app affordably without compromising quality.
Ethical risks
If you plan to implement digital health product scaling with generative AI, you need to mitigate ethical concerns associated with the technology. Although genAI can automate complex tasks, it’s not always accurate. Moreover, deep learning models like GPT can produce biased results, which can negatively affect medical decisions.
Solution
Evaluate genAI models thoroughly. When training a model, ensure the dataset fairly represents the target audience. Place human safeguards for mission-critical tasks, like confirming a diagnosis. With in-depth experience in developing generative AI-powered applications, our developers can help you integrate AI safely with your app.
Regulatory compliance
Compliance remains a major challenge for healthcare providers. When making changes to apps, such as adding new features, there are risks of veering away from regulations like HIPAA, GDPR, and PIPEDA. Unless spotted early, non-compliance can result in data risks, and legal repercussions with the respective authorities.
Solution
Establish a compliance task force to ensure the software development process strictly adheres to the required guidelines. At the same time, ensure you’re using secure cloud infrastructure and data security measures to safeguard sensitive data. Uptech has built medical apps that comply with HIPAA and other state laws in the US. We can help you avoid legal hurdles when scaling digital health products.
FAQ
What is the cost of scaling a digital health solution?
It depends on the app's complexity, tech stack, developer’s location, compliance cost, and other factors. If you’re scaling a simple health app with minimum features, the fee can range between $50,000 to $150,000. However, if you need an app that supports multiple localities, generative AI, extensive integrations, and advanced analytics, the scaling cost might exceed $500,000.
That said, the final depends on the app’s condition when we scale it. We can prioritize all scaling activities, and they can run iteratively. So, our clients won’t have to pay an enormous amount for a single iteration.
How long does it take to scale a digital health platform from initial development to launch?
Again, several factors determine the timeline. Here’s an estimate to scale a basic healthcare app.
- Ideation, planning, and discovery phase (~2 months)
- UI/UX design, prototyping, and development (~6 months)
- App testing, carried out in parallel with development (~ 3 months)
While the development is ongoing, you can run compliance certification and audit at the same time.
What regulatory challenges should I be aware of when scaling across different regions?
These are major regulatory acts that apply in different regions.
- United States - HIPAA, HITECH
- European Union - GDPR
- Canada - PIPEDA
- UK - UK GDPR
What IT infrastructure upgrades does a healthcare product need to ensure scalability?
To scale your healthcare product, you need a cloud infrastructure that supports on-demand scaling. On top of that, a robust data management system, which includes an encrypted database and disaster discovery, is essential for meeting regulatory compliance.
What key factors should I consider when building a scalable pricing model?
If you’re expanding to different regions, consider the purchasing power and product-market fit of the respective segments. You can offer personalized subscriptions, location-based pricing, or tiered pricing to make your product more competitive.
How can we ensure our digital health solution is interoperable with other healthcare systems?
Most healthcare systems are designed to comply with industrial standards. For example, telehealth apps might use HL7 to exchange medical records with a central EMR system. To ensure your app is compatible, audit existing systems and list out the protocols, standards, and technologies they’re using. Then, find ways to seamlessly exchange data with them.
What talent and operational challenges arise during the scaling process?
Most founders and companies find hiring, training, and managing a team of multi-disciplinary software experts challenging. Besides facing increasing hiring costs, they need to commit time to lead the software team themselves. As they do this, they can’t allocate enough time, attention, and resources as they wish to other parts of their business.
What are the biggest risks when scaling a digital health solution, and how can we mitigate them?
Given the complex trust-based environment that healthcare providers operate in, we believe that data risk is the greatest challenge. A single data breach can destroy the trust that you spent years to build. As for mitigating the risk, we recommend applying security measures like encryption and holding regular compliance audits.