Top Healthcare Technology Trends That Redefine the Industry in 2024 

Have you ever envisioned a future where patients receive treatment plans customized to their genetic makeup, medical history, and lifestyle? 

Well, you should start getting habituated. 

From AI-powered diagnostics to virtual care available at the touch of a button, healthcare mobile apps are becoming indispensable tools that empower both patients and medical professionals. 

According to Statista, the top three most popular health and wellness app categories comprise:-

1. Fitness and exercise (43%) 
2. Nutrition and diet (34%) 
3. Stress and mental wellbeing (31%) 

Let’s glide through the top tech trends transforming patient care, efficiency and medical advancements in 2024.  

Industry metrics showcasing the growth of digital healthcare  

Numbers can’t be deceiving right. So here are some of the eye-catching ones: 

• The global digital health market is currently valued at $211 billion while the global mHealth apps market size was USD 32.50 billion in 2023. It is set to touch USD 37.44 billion in 2024 and is expected to reach around USD 154.12 billion by 2034, expanding at a CAGR of 15.2% from 2024 to 2034.  
• There are over 41,000 healthcare and medical apps available on the Apple App Store and more than 54,546 on Google Play, with user numbers increasing at an exponential rate. 
• Wearable technology is a fast-growing trend, with market projections estimating it will reach $31.95 billion by 2026, growing at a CAGR of 11.5%, as per Statista. 
• 74% of patients using wearable devices and digital health tools report better management of their health conditions. 

What sparked this remarkable growth? Well, quite unsurprisingly, the drastic change happened in 2020, when the world was hit by an unforeseen force by the name of the Covid 19 pandemic.  

Every aspect of healthcare that has to do with telemedicine, AI, and remote patient monitoring (RPM) got a huge boost (up nearly 300% in investment, according to CB Insights). 

Moreover, in 2021, digital healthcare innovations attracted a whooping amount of capital, with total funding almost doubling from the beginning of 2020 to $34.7 billion. 

Key Healthcare Mobile App Trends Shaping the Industry 

Let’s deep dive into the major healthcare mobile app trends, that are set to revamp the industry by driving efficiency, patient outcomes, and business growth. 

1. Blockchain technology: 

Blockchain is a decentralized ledger that manages a network of computers, making it almost impossible to alter or delete recorded transactions.  

In healthcare, Blockchain helps securely store and share patient data between hospitals, diagnostic labs, pharmacies, and doctors. It can also play a crucial role in identifying serious errors and potential dangers in the medical field. 

Although it is not yet widely used in the healthcare sector, its importance is growing at a rapid pace, especially in the development of medical applications, making it a visible trend. BIS Research predicts that global spending on blockchain in healthcare will reach approximately $5.61 billion (about $17 per person in the US) by 2025. 

Two of the most relevant and prime examples comprise Coralhealth App and The Mediledger Network. 

Need help in building a blockchain specific project? 

2. Telehealth and telemedicine:  

The most used feature of a healthcare app, telemedicine and virtual care have become essential in modern healthcare, especially post-COVID-19. From virtual consultations to remote patient monitoring, these apps improve access to care, especially for people living in underserved areas. 

This crucial healthcare mobile app trend has been saving time and money by avoiding trips, while its continuous remote monitoring helps better management of chronic diseases. 

Digital prescriptions speed up the medication process, and automated reminders reduce missed appointments, enhancing overall healthcare efficiency.  

Prime instances include Lemonaid (same day telehealth services), Teladoc (telemedicine app), Practo (a very renowned Indian telehealth app) and Pharmeasy (an Indian telemedicine app). 

3. AR and VR Technology:  

Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) are transforming patient care by offering innovative methods for both education and treatment. Both provide immersive, real-world experiences for users. Statista Research projects that the global AR/VR healthcare market wil reach $4.64 million by 2028.  

For instance, AR tools such as AccuVein can visualize veins, making injections easier and reducing both discomfort and procedure time. 

On the other hand, VR is used to help manage pain and anxiety during medical treatments. A great example is the Snow World application, which effectively distracts burn patients during painful procedures, lessening their perception of pain.  

Virtual reality (VR) headsets can be used to alleviate patient pain, including in labor, while also helping reduce costs, save time, and provide personalized treatments.  

Many healthcare app developers are now integrating VR/AR into their products, which will improve data analysis, support medical care, and enhance training materials—ultimately advancing healthcare practices worldwide. 

4. Mental Health Applications: 

According to a WHO survey, 1 in 8 people globally suffer from mental health disorders, including anxiety, depression, and stress! During the COVID-19 pandemic, anxiety and depression rates rose by 26% and 28%, respectively. 

Mental health apps are making care more accessible and reducing stigma by offering virtual therapy, guided meditations, mood tracking, and stress management tools, allowing users to manage their well-being anytime. Several start-ups are now creating affordable, often AI-driven apps that provide personalized support through data analysis, helping users navigate difficult times. 

Some of the most renowned ones causing a widespread positive impact include Headspace (for meditation), Talkspace (for therapy), NotOK (for pre-crisis), Mindshift CBT (for anxiety) and Daylio (overall).  

5. Women wellness apps:  

Healthcare organizations around the world are developing women’s health apps to better serve women. Femtech medical companies are aware of women’s needs at every stage of life and offer unique treatments. These apps include pregnancy support apps, postpartum apps, parenting apps, and nutrition plans in development.  

Some of the notable apps comprise Clue (a period tracking app), and Ava Fertility (a fertility and pregnancy tracking bracelet which connects with our phone). 

6. Internet of Medical Things (IoMT):  

The combination of healthcare and technology has given existence to the Internet of Medical Things (IoMT). At its core, it’s a network of smart health devices and apps that seamlessly communicate with healthcare systems. From fitness trackers to tools that monitor patients remotely, the Internet of Medical Things (IoMT) is transforming the way you understand and manage your health.  

Although the IoMT is not a new thing in 2023, this sector is supposed to grow exponentially in the coming years. This industry plays a huge role in the trends of healthcare mobile apps, and each of them offers excellent uses to healthcare specialists, with billions saved in return.   

Some of the prime instances of IoMT, which make it to the significant list of healthcare mobile app trends include:  

• Remote Patient Monitoring 
• Contact Lenses 
• ECG Monitors 
• Smart Inhalers 
• Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators
• Depression or Mood Monitoring 
• Smart Thermometers  

7. Big Data:  

In simple words, Big data refers to huge, complex sets of information that are too vast for traditional data management systems to handle. It comes from all sorts of places, like weather satellites, social media platforms, and even smart devices connected through the Internet of Things (IoT). 

Big data analytics provides insights into human health, enabling personalized treatment and predictive analytics. Its benefits and applications often include personalized medicine, prevention of something fatal, early detection, along with real time monitoring. It can also predict disease and individual outcomes of pain and drives research and development in drug discovery and clinical trials.  

One example is Merative (formerly known as IBM Watson Health) which uses big data to provide insights into healthcare and treatment. 

8. Generative AI: 

We have all heard about AI. But what exactly is Gen AI? Well, Gen AI is a kind of Artificial Intelligence designed to create new content. By analyzing large amounts of information, Gen AI can recognize patterns and produce new content that resembles what it’s been trained on. 

It is currently playing a great role in the major healthcare mobile app trends with one of its key capabilities being the ability to generate synthetic data. It can be used to train medical AI models without risking patient privacy or in cases where real-world data is limited.  

Furthermore, GenAI can develop chatbots and virtual assistants that support patients throughout their healthcare journeys. 

Here’s a breakdown of GenAI’s applications in healthcare: 

• Clinical Diagnoses: Improving both the accuracy and speed of diagnoses. 
• Genomic Sequencing: Driving advancements in early disease detection. 
• Billing Management: Streamlining administrative tasks for insurers and providers.
• Customer Service: Delivering human-like interactions via AI-powered chatbots. 
• Care Personalization: Customizing treatment plans for individual patients.  
• Automation: Automating routine processes to enhance overall efficiency. 

9. Connected health systems: 

Doctors are using wearable data to monitor chronic diseases such as diabetes and heart disease and detect early warning signs in patients. Remote monitoring provides timely results for home rehabilitation, and this information helps in creating personalized treatment plans to provide quality patient care in the home. 

Components of a connected ecosystem care system include: 

• Wearables: Real-time monitoring of vital signs (e.g., blood pressure, A1C) and data to the doctor. 
• Digital Tools: Enhance digital therapy, diagnostics, patient education, and care guidance. 
• Virtual Medical Assistant: Help keep patients informed with information and recommendations. 
• Virtual hospital wards using the Internet of Things: useful for many patients and demonstrates the shift to remote care. 

As this ecosystem is ever evolving, this category plays a distinct role in the trends of healthcare mobile applications. The organizations must quickly adapt delivery models, consider implementing reimbursement changes, and measure the clinical and financial ROI of connected care. 

10. Controlled Care Practices:  

Let’s not miss out on the prevalance and importance of Electronic Health Record (EHR) systems. It has revolutionized the way patient medical histories are stored, making vital information easily accessible to healthcare professionals. These systems enhance the accuracy and efficiency of patient care by ensuring that health data is always current and available when needed.  

Currently, EHRs are facilitating better coordination among providers, help minimize errors and streamline administrative work. Looking forward, the future of EHRs involves improved practicality, AI-driven data analytics, and advanced security features. All these will further ensure comprehensive, secure patient care and promote data-driven healthcare solutions. 

11. AI/ML Based Medical Diagnostic Devices:  

Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) are closely connected technologies that rely on algorithms to get things done. AI is the broader concept, where technology is used to imitate human intelligence, while ML is a part of AI that zeroes in on how machines can learn and get better with experience.  

The integration of AI and machine learning in medical diagnostics is opening new possibilities for improving diagnostic precision, personalizing care, and finding innovative solutions. Some of the leading advancements in this field include: 

• Predictive Analysis 
• Medical Imaging and Diagnostics 
• Personalized Medicine 
• Drug Discovery and Development 
• Data Visualization 

Several AI-powered apps are currently available in the market that analyze patient data and offer real-time diagnostics and responses, such as: 

• SkinVision: This AI-driven app focuses on raising skin cancer awareness and providing medical guidance to its users. 
• Sensely: Known for its AI-powered “Nurse Avatar,” Sensely allows patients to communicate their symptoms and receive diagnoses without typing, offering a more intuitive user experience. 
• Noom: Noom, which generated $500 million in revenue in 2023, uses AI to deliver professional recommendations based on users’ weight, age, height, and goals. 

Seeking help in personalized AI/ML development services?  

12. 3D bioprinting tech:  

It is the current talk of the town! 3D bioprinting is opening new possibilities for researchers and scientists, helping them tackle the limitations of 2D bioprinting. The volume of 3D printing opportunities in the medical domain is assessed to exceed $6 billion by the year 2027. It offers solutions to organ shortages and enables the creation of patient-specific organs and tissues using a person’s own stem cells. It significantly reduces the risk of rejection and brings us closer to solving one of healthcare’s biggest challenges.  

13. Metaverse in Healthcare Apps:  

The metaverse is not only the flavor of the season but further has an increasingly vital role in revolutionizing healthcare for both patients and doctors by shaping the Health 4.0 landscape. According to a report by Market Research Future (MRFR), the metaverse in healthcare is projected to reach USD 5,373 million by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 48.3%.  

The methodology majorly revolves around harnessing emerging and web 3.0 technologies like AI, AR, VR, and 5G networks, offering cost-effective medical treatments. The metaverse enhances performance in areas such as clinical care, wellness, collaboration, education, and monetization.  

Several healthcare solutions like Digbi Health, XRHealth, and NeuroTrainer are prime examples of how the metaverse is transforming medical operations and seeking exciting future opportunities. 

14. Gamification:  

Everyone loves to get a tad bit competitive and what better way to integrate healthy competition than with adding gamification to healthcare apps. It is proving to be an effective way out to keep users engaged, motivating them to spend more time on the platform.  

By applying game psychology to non-gaming content, these apps encourage patients to log their daily health activities. Furthermore, rewards for regular app use and logging health data can enhance user motivation. 

Popular healthcare apps with gamified elements include MyFitnessPal, PACT, and Mango Health, which are leading the way in keeping users committed to their health goals. 

Wrapping up.. 

As we move into 2025, the rapid digital transformation in healthcare is creating remarkable new opportunities for growth. Looking at the emerging trends in healthcare apps, it’s clear that we’re at a critical turning point in how medical care is delivered. The combination of advanced technologies like AR, VR, AI, IoMT, blockchain, and Big Data analytics is driving a major shift toward more precise, efficient, and secure healthcare solutions. 

At BigOhTech, we specialize in offering customized healthcare app development services that keep you ahead of the curve. Whether you’re looking to improve patient care, streamline operations, or leverage the latest technology, we’ve got you covered. If you have an idea and are looking to develop a healthcare app, we’re here to guide you every step of the way. 

We are equipped with more than 50 healthcare technology experts.