Software engineering is one of those diverse skill sets which is required in almost every single field out there. Whether it’s a fast food chain or a smart hospital, software engineering is a skill that can land you a job in almost any industry you want, but all that freedom may have some software engineers confused as to which field would be best for them from a short-term and a long-term perspective. If you fall into this category of software engineers, that isn’t sure which field to pick, then this blog is for you. Deloitte’s annual report on 2018’a Global Healthcare Outlook states that “With quality, outcomes, and value the watchwords for health care in the 21st century, sector stakeholders around the globe are looking for innovative, cost-effective ways to deliver patient-centered, technology-enabled “smart” health care, both inside and outside hospital walls“. What does this mean for software engineers? Big things. Simply because innovative, cost-effective solutions, whether it’s remote patient monitoring, smart hospital beds or mobility solutions for patients and providers, are all powered by software. There are 3.7 million medical devices in use today, all of which function smoothly – thanks to extremely well-developed software. So, let’s jump to the various applications of software engineering in healthcare.

Global adoption of technology-driven systems and policies

On a worldwide scale, there have been many cases wherein certain states have had to adopt advanced technology systems for managing their healthcare information better, and to improve patient outcomes as a whole. A lot of these policies demand digitization and the embracing of new technologies, the best example of this would be making the switch from traditional billing systems to EMRs or electronic medical records. To build these technologies, a significant amount of software was developed, and this is just one instance of software engineering applications with harnessing new technologies.

Solving the data dilemmas of the healthcare industry

When it comes to storage of data, there have been significant hurdles in terms of logistics and technology to overcome. Some of these were responding to complex policy regulations and huge investments in exponential technologies which may or may not yield results. In order to seamlessly shift from sheer volumes of data to creating value for the data, and not just storing it, systems must be developed. All these systems have gone a long way in engaging with consumers and making the patient experience more satisfactory. Patients also find immense value and ease with EMRs, especially in times of emergency when there may be no time to look up cumbersome medical records. A lot of healthcare’s data troubles were solved by software engineers, who have proven themselves as valuable stakeholders in the healthcare industry.

Making the most of mobility in healthcare

If you’re a fan of developing mobile software, then healthcare is still one of the most promising fields there is. From developing apps for doctors to better schedule their appointments to creating applications for patients which enable them to avail telemedicine services, to hospitals using them as a tool to improve both, the patient experience as well as workflows – the opportunities are endless in this particular space within healthcare. Mobile technology in healthcare enables self-service options, proactive reminders, and prescription alerts. They also help in cases of prepping for surgery, admissions, or for medical history, all of which add immense value to providers and patients.

Healthcare’s long and continuing affair with the cloud

The cloud does so much for the healthcare industry, it enables streamlined collaboration, provides data storage and data sharing, has access to amazing analytics, and can even assist in advanced clinical research. The future of the cloud is even brighter because now, providing health care from a distance has become an achievable reality. Some of the best minds in software engineering are working on developing software for cloud computing solutions.

Opportunity within analytics

It’s no surprise that analytics plays a significant role in improving patient outcomes and superior patient care. From wearables to equipment for caregivers, almost every single medical device analyzes the data that is stored and collected, so as to use that to improve patient experiences. From device to analytics data stream automation to smart beds which are constantly collecting and analyzing data, there’s a lot of software engineering that goes into the creation of these solutions.

It’s all about IoT in healthcare

And, rightly so! Connected devices have taken almost every industry by storm, but the healthcare industry has arguably benefitted the most from this boom. In order to create technology for several healthcare applications, a robust software must be in place, so there is ample of scope here too. Virtual appliance management and even IoT devices for caregivers all demand a strong software, without which it would crash.

In conclusion, it won’t be an exaggeration to say that healthcare is one of the most inclusive fields in terms of technology. It is an industry which demands collaboration and coming together of various intricate skillsets and know-how, and software engineering is a big part of this. Brownie points because you get to save lives in the long run, since the healthcare industry will always be here as long as humanity exists, it is also one of the safest industries to be a part of, from a professional point of view.  This is why healthcare may be the heaven that software engineers are looking for.