Revolutionizing Healthcare: Top SaaS Trends to Watch in 2024-2025
As we venture further into the 2020s, the software-as-a-service (SaaS) model is poised to reshape the healthcare landscape in dramatic fashion.
With rapid advancements in technology and shifting patient expectations, SaaS solutions are becoming integral to improving healthcare delivery, enhancing patient engagement, and streamlining operations.
Here are the top SaaS trends to watch in 2024-2025 that promise to revolutionize healthcare.
1. AI-Powered Automation
The rise of AI-powered automation is set to redefine how healthcare organizations operate.
McKinsey concluded in 2023 that AI automation could reduce U.S. healthcare expenditure by as much as $360 billion. Much of this saving would come from the automation of administrative functions and non-clinical aspects of healthcare provisioning.
Moving forward, we can expect to see an uptick in AI-driven virtual assistants and chatbots that provide real-time support to both patients and providers. These tools can triage patients, answer common questions, and even assist in care management to improve efficiency.
2. Enhanced Telehealth Solutions
There is no doubt that the pandemic accelerated the adoption of telehealth and made it a critical component of healthcare delivery.
While telehealth’s popularity has moderated somewhat since its peak in 2022, utilization remains above pre-pandemic levels.
Around 54% of Americans have had a telehealth consult in 2024 so far, and as healthcare costs continue to rise, so too will the number of people seeking out cost-effective virtual care.
The telehealth platforms of tomorrow will offer a seamless virtual care experience that incorporates AI for diagnostic support and offers tailored treatment recommendations.
Importantly, these platforms will also improve the accessibility of healthcare services and ensure that patients receive the same level of care in a virtual context as they would visiting a doctor in person.
3. Interoperability and Integration
Interoperability—or the ability of different software systems to communicate, consolidate, and share data—is a key focus for SaaS solutions in healthcare.
Despite improvements, the lack of interoperability costs the healthcare system billions of dollars each year and has a profound impact on the quality of patient care.
The shift toward application programming interface (API) connections in SaaS products is already enhancing interoperability and integration in healthcare systems.
This is achieved in a few key ways:
Standardized data exchange. APIs facilitate standardized data exchange by using common data formats and protocols. In the process, they enable disparate systems—such as electronic health records (EHRs) and pharmacy systems—to communicate effectively.
Real-time data access. APIs also promote real-time data access from multiple sources such as wearables, mobile apps, and other EHRs. This improves care coordination and patient outcomes.
Streamlined workflows. When different applications are incorporated into a streamlined workflow, the need for manual data entry is reduced. This not only saves time but also reduces human error.
While interoperability improves efficiency for businesses, it's also a key part of comprehensive healthcare. With 66% of older Americans having at least 2 chronic behavioral or physical conditions, the need for effective data communication has never been greater.
4. Patient-Centric and Value-Based Platforms
The future of healthcare is increasingly patient-centric, and SaaS solutions are adapting to this shift.
In a study of over 2,000 individuals, 70% wanted healthcare providers to make better use of mobile technology and digital tools to enhance the patient experience.
Telehealth platforms have addressed these concerns to some extent. However, various other SaaS solutions empower individuals to take an active role in managing their health.
Medisafe, for example, uses behavioral AI to help individuals seamlessly manage their prescription medication. MyChart, another platform, offers a centralized dashboard where patients can access and share their medical records as well as schedule appointments and view test results.
Whatever the application, the trend toward patient-centric, value-adding platforms will facilitate better adherence to treatment plans and improve health outcomes.
5. Data Analytics for Informed Decision-Making
Data analytics is revolutionizing how healthcare providers make decisions. This trend is expected to be driven by the increased availability of real-time data in SaaS applications.
Healthcare providers increasingly rely on advanced analytics to derive insights from patient data and make more informed clinical decisions.
By harnessing the power of data, providers can identify trends, predict outcomes, and tailor treatments to individual patients based on their medical history. Essentially, these solutions help practitioners make sense of the static contained in an EHR.
Data as a service (DaaS) is a related trend to watch in healthcare. This service enables companies to access, manipulate and analyze their data without having to invest in on-premise infrastructure.
The Future is Bright for Healthcare
As we inch closer to 2025, the SaaS landscape in healthcare is in the process of rapid transformation.
From AI-powered automation and enhanced telehealth solutions to interoperability and patient-centric approaches, these SaaS trends will fundamentally reshape how healthcare is delivered and experienced.
By embracing these innovations, healthcare organizations can stay ahead of the competition and thrive for years to come. They can also improve operational efficiency and contribute toward a more patient-centered and data-driven healthcare system.
References
https://aspe.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/documents/7d6b4989431f4c70144f209622975116/household-pulse-survey-telehealth-covid-ib.pdf
https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/healthcare/our-insights/setting-the-revenue-cycle-up-for-success-in-automation-and-ai
https://www.insurancebusinessmag.com/us/news/life-insurance/why-2024-could-be-the-year-of-the-telemedicine-revolution-493924.aspx
https://www.ibm.com/topics/interoperability-in-healthcare
https://www.medicaldirector.com/news/clinical-practice/report-reveals-what-patients-really-expect-from-doctors/
https://brightinventions.pl/blog/interoperability-in-healthtech-experts-insights/
