Where is the Future of Healthcare ISVs?

Independent software vendors (ISVs) in healthcare are facing a rapidly evolving landscape. Emerging challenges, new technologies, and shifting demands from providers and patients are creating both opportunities and pressures for innovation. To remain competitive, ISVs need to anticipate the trends that will shape the industry and invest in solutions that meet real-world needs.

From mobile health tools and cloud-based platforms to personalized medicine and big data analytics, the next generation of healthcare software will do more than store information, it will enable smarter, faster, and more patient-centered care. Understanding these trends is critical for ISVs looking to deliver impactful solutions and stay ahead in a growing and increasingly complex health IT market.

MOBILE HEALTH DATA: MAKING HEALTHCARE TRULY MOBILE

Patient-centric devices are transforming how healthcare data is accessed and used. According to the 2014 EHR Software Buyer Report by Software Advice, nearly 40% of medical practices seeking EHR software specifically requested mobile access, allowing physicians to view patient data from tablets or smartphones. Some practices even expressed urgency in acquiring systems with robust mobile capabilities.

CLOUD-BASED EHR: SECURE, REAL-TIME ACCESS TO DATA

The vision for healthcare IT is a system where authorized users can securely access patient data whenever and wherever they need it. Cloud-based EHR systems offer a step toward this reality, enabling providers to update and share information in near real-time.

For example, Mahek Shah, MD, highlighted a case where cloud-based infrastructure allowed his company to send Ebola-related patient travel history questions through the EHR system athenaClinicals within an hour of a Dallas hospital incident. This demonstrated how cloud-based systems can rapidly respond to emerging public health concerns.

The cloud also supports portability, giving patients more control over their health records. As patients increasingly demand access to their own data, ISVs have an opportunity to build systems that balance accessibility with robust security and compliance features.

PERSONALIZED HEALTHCARE AND PRECISION MEDICINE

Healthcare is moving toward a more tailored approach. Precision medicine, or personalized medicine, aims to customize care based on individual patient characteristics, such as genetics, lifestyle, and medical history. EHR systems will play a crucial role in supporting this shift.

ISVs can enhance their offerings by integrating genomic data and other personalized health information into EHR systems. This allows healthcare providers to make more informed treatment decisions and anticipate patient-specific health risks. Companies like Epic have already begun experimenting with such integrations, demonstrating that what was once considered a “shiny object” is becoming practical and actionable.

USABILITY: MAKING EHRS USER-FRIENDLY

Even the most powerful EHR system is only effective if clinicians can use it efficiently. Poor usability has led to dissatisfaction among healthcare providers, with some ambulatory EHR systems at risk of replacement due to difficult interfaces.

According to a survey of one million physicians cited by Healthcare IT News (HIT), user-friendliness was the top reason for switching EHR systems. This represents a critical opportunity for ISVs: designing intuitive interfaces and workflows can differentiate products in a crowded market.

Improving usability reduces errors and saves time for clinicians, allowing them to focus on patient care rather than navigating cumbersome software. ISVs should invest in UX/UI design principles tailored to healthcare environments, including role-specific dashboards, simplified data entry, and mobile-friendly layouts.

BIG DATA ANALYTICS: PREDICTING HEALTH OUTCOMES

The use of big data analytics is one of the most promising areas for healthcare ISVs. By analyzing large datasets, providers can identify patterns, predict patient outcomes, and even anticipate future health risks.

Independent platforms such as Explorys and Lumiata are developing solutions that enable healthcare providers to forecast patient needs and proactively manage care. In 2014, funding for healthcare analytics startups reached $406 million, a 161% increase from the previous year, highlighting the growing interest and market potential in this space.

For ISVs, the challenge is to create solutions that allow providers to extract actionable insights from complex datasets while maintaining compliance with privacy regulations. Successfully integrating predictive analytics into EHRs can position ISVs at the forefront of healthcare innovation.

CONCLUSION

Healthcare ISVs are entering a period of significant change. Mobile health, cloud-based platforms, personalized medicine, usability improvements, and big data analytics are shaping the way software supports providers and patients. Understanding these trends is essential for developing solutions that are practical, effective, and aligned with real healthcare needs.

SoftServe has decades of experience in healthcare and technology and has worked on a wide range of software solutions. This experience allows us to support ISVs in navigating these trends and applying technology effectively, helping teams build software that works well in real-world healthcare settings.