The lack of physical freedom during the COVID-19 pandemic has caused an impressive app-usage boom in a wide variety of sectors, helping us fill the human connection void we were all craving for. Our social and working lives – but more prominently our health – became software-dependant.
The healthcare app market is currently registering a huge demand for:
- mHealth apps
- Telehealth and health IT systems
- Wearables and fitness trackers
- Software for medical devices
The programming language is the backbone of any type of software. There are a plethora of available programming languages. However, there are many crucial aspects that healthcare app developers need to take into account before making a choice. Here are some examples:
- App type (e.g. mobile, wearable, website, etc.)
- Supported device or platform (e.g. iOS, Android, Windows, etc.)
- Security features to ensure HIPAA compliance
- Maintainability to ensure long-term sustainability
- Complexity of the app
- The desired app features
When it comes to developing healthcare apps, there are no particular best programming languages. The developer’s choice depends – among many other factors – on the above-mentioned aspects too.
Here are the most used programming languages for healthcare apps:
JAVA
This popular and multi-purpose programming language has been extensively used in healthcare IT. A few examples would include Elinext’s Medical Practice And Billing Software or Healthcare Data Anonymization Platform.
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Kotlin
Kotlin is a relatively new – yet promising – Android programming language that comes with a series of advantages and disadvantages.
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SQL
Designed to interact with databases, SQL allows healthcare professionals to build clinical databases, patient tracking, create charts to analyse data, create custom reports for patients, etc.
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MySQL
Thought out to manage information in relational databases, MySQL allows healthcare organizations to build complex systems such as patient portals, EHR systems, pharmacy databases, etc. The Senior Caregiving Platform developed by Elinext is a relevant example.
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PYTHON
A fast-growing and versatile programming language, Python is currently widely used in healthcare to create ML algorithms used in drug discovery, genomic studies, medical image diagnostics (e.g. the Pneumonia Diagnosis Tool developed by Elinext), predictive analytics, etc.
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HTML
HTML is specifically used for building websites. Healthcare organizations use websites for online appointments, promote their medical teams and services, inform patients, etc.
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R
Designed for statistical computing, R provides new ways to manipulate, read, and visualize data. For instance, it is the ideal choice for designing, monitoring, and analysing clinical trials.
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C
Ideal for healthcare organizations that use old operating systems such as LINUX or UNIX, C is a general-purpose programming language. As a practical example, we can highlight Elinext’s Day Nurseries And Care Homes apps.
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C++
C++ is found in multiple medical apps that can range from imaging systems (e.g. Elinext’s Body Tan Scan) to EHR systems, lab testing equipment, or patient information systems.
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SWIFT
Another young general-purpose programming language, Swift is revolutionizing the healthcare sector by delivering multiple security layers, improved data encryption, simplifying coding, and acquiring a central role in new technologies such as wearables.
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Taking into consideration all the above-mentioned crucial aspects and comparing the PROs and CONs of various programming languages will help you make a sensible decision.
