Top 10 UX trends shaping digital healthcare in 2026

The healthcare sector is rapidly evolving driven by technological improvements like AI, digital tools, and greater patient involvement. These are anticipated to drive the industry to a $573 billion market by 2030.

2026 promises to introduce innovative trends in digital healthcare user experience (UX). These shifts will enhance usability, accessibility, and personalization, and redefine how patients and providers interact with technology. To help you stay ahead, we’ve identified the top 10 healthcare UX trends that are poised to dominate the industry.

Let’s explore the following topics:

• Top 10 digital healthcare UX trends
• The critical role of UX in healthcare
• Healthcare UX challenges
• Healthcare UX design examples

Top 10 digital healthcare UX trends

1. Artificial Intelligence 

Unsurprisingly, we start this list with Artificial Intelligence (AI). AI is rapidly revolutionizing the healthcare industry, offering promising solutions to longstanding challenges. By harnessing AI’s ability to analyze vast amounts of data in real-time, healthcare professionals can improve diagnostic accuracy, streamline treatments, and ultimately enhance patient outcomes. 

The FDA (Food and Drug Administration), a US federal agency and  a global leader in healthcare regulation, now has its own open-access database for AI-enabled medical devices. Based on a data analysis on that database, radiology is the most AI-invested medical speciality. The reason for that could be that this field is largely data-driven. Cardiology also has 116 devices approved currently.

The World Economic Forum has a list of ways AI is transforming healthcare. Just to name a few: AI can be twice as accurate as professionals at examining brain scans; in urgent care, AI can spot more bone fractures than humans;  AI can help in assessing ambulance needs by predicting which patients need to be transferred to a hospital; and finally, AI can detect the early signs of more than 1000 diseases.

Although AI promises lots of advantages in the healthcare industry, healthcare leaders must understand and address potential risks to ensure AI is implemented safely and fairly. 

These risks include biased algorithms, poor patient experiences, lack of accessibility, and concerns over data privacy. Designing AI systems that are patient-centered, secure, and fair will be crucial for long-term success in healthcare. 

The key challenge will be integrating cutting-edge technology while maintaining essential human interaction in patient care. We, as a product design agency, can relate when experts say healthcare will need humans in the future and AI won’t/can’t replace doctors, just as it can’t replace product designers and UX researchers. 

The main reason for that is that AI cannot replace empathy. Doctors are skilled to build trust and guide and support patients through therapy, while we wouldn’t trust an algorithm to make decisions that could mean life or death.

2. Internet of Medical Things 

The Internet of Medical Things (IoMT) technology is advancing rapidly, with the number of IoT devices projected to nearly double, reaching 25.44 billion by 2030. This growth is closely tied to the healthcare industry, where connected medical devices play a crucial role in monitoring patient health, transmitting data, and enabling remote care. 

Devices like blood sugar monitors can automatically track a patient’s vitals and send real-time updates to doctors, enabling them to monitor health changes remotely. This cloud-based technology allows healthcare providers to intervene early in case of sudden or concerning shifts, even when patients are not physically in a hospital or clinic.

Design considerations for IoMT solutions must prioritize data security to protect patient information. The technology should also be easy to use, making it simple for both patients and healthcare providers to monitor health data in real time. Lastly, the devices need to work well with other existing healthcare systems to ensure smooth communication and data sharing.

3. Digital therapeutics (DTx) 

Physicians have been prescribing lifestyle changes for a long while. We can expect they will prescribe smartphone apps and digital technologies soon, too. 

According to the Digital Therapeutics Alliance, DTx delivers medical interventions directly to patients. They use evidence-based, clinically evaluated software (accessible via a smartphone or tablet). This way, they treat, manage, and prevent various diseases and disorders. 

There is even a product library to help differentiate DTx software from other mobile health apps. They must be evidence-based and align with eight core principles.

An example is an application called Propeller, that assists people having asthma and respiratory diseases. The app's sensors automatically track medication use and users receive personalized information about disease management that help manage and reduce their symptoms.

Designers should figure out how to prevent users from losing interest in DTx apps. Since physicians often prescribe these apps for chronic illnesses, they may need to be used for more than just a few weeks.

4. Wearable Health Technologies  

Wearable technology in healthcare is set to transform the industry by giving patients detailed data that can lead to actionable insights. The smart wearable health devices market is expected to reach $449 billion by 2035. 

Experts say that there comes a new era in healthcare when patient centricity is replaced by patient design..That treats patients as team members, as someone who takes responsibility for their health. This shift is enabled and facilitated by wearables and health sensors.

In 2026, UX design will be critical in making wearables not only functional but also appealing and easy to use. These devices need to be integrated seamlessly into users’ daily lives, providing health insights in real time without being intrusive. 

In order to facilitate the use of wearable tools as an integral part of someone's daily life, developers have to transform these products into digital therapeutics, as mentioned above.

Wearables have advanced beyond smartwatches. Microfluidic patches are a breakthrough innovation, enabling real-time analysis of bodily biomarkers through a compact adhesive patch. This technology enhances remote care by offering personalized health insights while minimizing the need for invasive tests. It improves diagnostic accuracy and medication management for healthcare providers, fosters patient engagement, enhances care coordination, and facilitates accessible health monitoring.

Sleep tracking is also a rapidly emerging field and in the future it is expected to be integrated into every digital health device as a passive feature combined with AI, generating lifestyle changes based on sleep habits. Another feature appearing more and more in wearable tools is gamification. Fun incentives can motivate people to reach their daily goals and ultimately have a healthier lifestyle.

5. Telehealth, hybrid care and at home diagnostics

According to a Tech Report, 88% of Americans favored telemedicine following Covid-19 in 2021. By 2023, the primary reason for utilizing telemedicine in the US was for follow-up appointments, accounting for 47% of all telehealth visits. 

While there will always be a need for in-person healthcare services, such as hands-on procedures and emergency care, the industry will continue to fine-tune the scenarios in which telehealth can provide significant benefits.

As this sector matures, it will become essential to refine when and how remote care is being used, since not all healthcare services are suited for virtual delivery, for sure. One of the most exciting prospects of telehealth is its ability to improve healthcare access for underserved and isolated communities. 

More and more patients are eager to take charge of their health, due to the increasing trend of self-care, including mental health, over the past few years. There has been a rise in at-home diagnostics, driven by a focus on convenience, accuracy, and practicality.

At-home diagnostics make it easier to detect diseases early. Non-invasive tests, such as in-vitro diagnostics encourage patients to focus on their health without the anxiety of time-consuming or painful procedures. 

Colonoscopies, for example, have been dreaded due to their invasive nature and the time off work they require. However, innovations like the FIT-DNA test allow patients to collect a stool sample at home, eliminating the need for a colonoscopy unless the test result is positive. While colonoscopy remains the gold standard for colon cancer screening, at-home tests like this can capture individuals who might otherwise skip screenings altogether.

As we move further into 2026, expect to see even more at-home healthcare solutions that prioritize convenience, simplicity, and practicality, empowering patients to manage their health while keeping their healthcare providers in the loop. 

6. Vocal biomarkers

As a Boston based company Sonde Health Inc. says on their website, voice is a powerful predictor of health. Vocal biomarkers are what medicine calls characteristics found in patients’ voices. Vocal biomarkers help in detecting health risks and even serious diseases. 

The health insights our voice contains can be like a change in body temperature or blood pressure. Sonde’s platform uses millions of medically-labeled voice samples to detect subtle changes in voice. Even a simple sound bite is enough to provide actionable health advice. 

Cough analysis is an interesting segment of voice based solutions. There are apps such as CoughPro that call themselves a wellness solution for chronic cough. It’s based on a therapy that helps reduce the urge to cough by tracking and recording one’s cough and monitoring of cough trends.

Vocal biomarkers and not only efficient in monitoring and diagnosing physical but also mental medical conditions. Voice based tools can also be useful in healthcare not just for diagnostics but in supporting healthcare professionals daily lives such as administration. The market expects the development of many new tools in the near future.

7. Longevity

Longevity is a subfield of healthcare focusing on healthy living and prolonging the human lifespan. For now, it has become a mainstream movement and an emerging industry, as focus shifted to preventing diseases way before they appear, rather than treating them. Health-conscious people are adopting data-driven lifestyle habits with the help of wearables, biomarkers and sensors. 

Based on how deeply someone wishes to engage with their own health, they can start by understanding their body through data (e.g. tracking sleep quality, body glucose, daily activity) or even handling the work to professionals who help them as a medical service to identify which area of their health they should focus on. By now there are even longevity clinics created.

8. Mental health apps

Mental health apps can be a valuable tool for those looking to improve their well-being, especially when professional help is hard to access. While it's always best to consult a mental health professional when feeling overwhelmed, these apps offer supplemental support, aiding in stress reduction, anxiety management, mood tracking, and more. 

Many apps have been shown to help users overcome their challenges by guiding them through relaxation techniques, mindfulness exercises, and offering tools to track their mental health progress. They provide a convenient way to enhance well-being and stay connected to mental health practices on a daily basis.

What makes mental health apps especially appealing is their accessibility, affordability, and the wide range of features they offer. They allow individuals who may not have access to traditional therapy due to financial, geographical, or physical barriers to still find support. 

While these apps can't replace professional care, they can be an excellent supplement to traditional therapy or a starting point for self-care. With thousands of wellness apps available, it’s important to choose ones that are backed by research and clinical insights. 

When designing a mental health app, it's crucial to create a calming and intuitive user experience that accommodates individuals in vulnerable emotional states. Personalization and accessibility should also be considered, ensuring the app caters to diverse needs while offering a supportive and non-overwhelming experience.

9. Femtech

Femtech stands for women’s health technology. This market has been on the rise in the last few years and is expected to grow significantly by 2030.

As a report of the digital health market states, women’s health and mental health have been marginalized traditionally within mainstream healthcare due to social stigma or resource shortages. Women were excluded from clinical trials until the late 1980s. Trends are shifting, and nowadays, applications, telemedicine and wearable technology can offer discrete, low cost and accessible solutions. 

At first femtech mostly focused on fertility and pregnancy, however female health topics have now reached way further including topics like sexual wellness, maternal care, menopause, pelvic health and mental health.

Just to name a few apps and tools: Natural Cycles is an application for digital, non-invasive, non-hormonal birth control, Miracare is an at-home hormone monitor, a fertility and ovulation tracker, HeraMED is remote monitoring platform for maternity care, with connected smart devices and Gennev is an online clinic for menopausal issues.

10. Digital health tools for pets

The pet care market is set to exceed 550 billion USD by 2032. Veterinarian challenges mirror those of human physicians, leading to similar digital tools and tech solutions.

Wearables and smart trackers dominate the pet digital health market. They include smart harnesses, collars, and radars remotely monitoring pets' vital signs. 

AI-powered collars like Invoxia's MiniTailz Dog Collar track pet health and location in real-time. Other innovations include smart litter boxes that monitor digestive health markers in cats. 

The market comprises Pet Healthcare, Pet Owner Convenience, Communication and Entertainment, and Pet Safety.

The critical role of UX in healthcare

UX design plays a pivotal role in healthcare by enhancing the overall experience for both patients and healthcare providers. We've identified the top 3 aspects where UX makes a significant impact:

Improving patient engagement and satisfaction

Product designers create intuitive and user-friendly interfaces. This way, healthcare products can help patients navigate complex medical information with ease. Also, they can access their health records and engage with their healthcare providers more effectively.

Streamlining communication and collaboration

Effective UX design can also improve communication and collaboration among healthcare professionals with seamless workflows and intuitive interfaces. Healthcare products enhance teamwork among doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals while reducing errors.

Ensuring accessibility and inclusivity for all users

Healthcare products should be designed to be usable by everyone. This can be done by considering different individuals' diverse needs and abilities, including those with disabilities or those who speak other languages.

Healthcare UX challenges

Ease of use

By now, not only medical professionals can take care of each patient's health: users also have the option to choose from a wide range of digital products. These products can assist them in improving performance and overall well-being. Treatments increasingly get offered as services. For this to work, the technology needs to be user-friendly, comfortable, and safe.

Aging population

As the global population ages, the need for user-centered design in healthcare has never been more critical. Many elderly individuals face challenges in navigating complex healthcare systems, often due to physical limitations or cognitive decline. 

By prioritizing UX in the development of healthcare products for this demographic, designers should create intuitive interfaces with larger text, simplified navigation, and clear instructions that cater to the unique needs of older users.

Accessibility

Accessibility is a fundamental aspect of UX in healthcare, ensuring that all individuals, regardless of their physical or cognitive abilities, can effectively engage with digital health tools. 

By incorporating principles of accessibility design, healthcare applications can be made more inclusive, allowing users with disabilities to navigate platforms seamlessly. This includes features such as voice commands, screen readers, and adjustable text sizes, which can significantly enhance the user experience for those with visual or motor impairments.

Privacy

In the healthcare sector, where sensitive personal information is routinely exchanged, prioritizing user experience must also encompass robust privacy measures. 

Users are increasingly concerned about the security of their medical data, and an intuitive UX can help build trust by transparently communicating how their information is collected, stored, and shared. Implementing clear privacy settings and consent processes within digital health products is a must-have in all products in this field.  

Healthcare UX design examples

Our UX agency has worked on several projects within the healthcare industry, each focused on enhancing user experience and improving patient outcomes. 

Oxa

One notable project was the redesign of Oxa, an application integrated with a wearable device that provides real-time biofeedback to promote well-being through mindful breathing. 

We researched and designed the user experience for the application, including its innovative design, interactive data visualizations, and seamless user journeys. Our innovative solutions earned us a Red Dot Award in the "Interface & User Experience Design" category.

EZDerm

Another healthcare tool our agency had the opportunity to work on was EZDerm, a company specializing in an electronic health record software designed specifically for dermatologists. 

EZDerm approached us to come up with a redesign plan for the software with the goals of enhancing customer experience and addressing usability issues. Our team established the design system foundations and created an actionable implementation plan for a redesign.

Glide

Last year, we conducted thorough research with people using continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) to identify challenges, pain points, and opportunities when it comes to using the applications compatible with these wearable sensors.

Results from both primary and secondary research revealed an underserved audience: non-diabetic users. We created a solution targeted at pre-diabetic, at-risk, and health-conscious individuals, an app concept that simplifies blood glucose tracking and empowers users to experiment with their health, leading to better outcomes.

Additionally, we contributed to InSimu, a healthcare education software, and Avizia (Amwell), a telemedicine provider, both aimed at improving access to healthcare services. 

We're always ready for the challenge that exciting healthcare UX projects offer. If your company has encountered some obstacles, book a free consultation with us. Let's discuss the possible solutions.

The future of healthcare UX

UX design is crucial for the future of healthcare, benefiting both patients and healthcare workers. 

User-friendly designs help patients easily access information and manage their health, while also streamlining workflows for healthcare professionals. 

By focusing on UX, healthcare solutions can become more effective and accessible, leading to better health outcomes for all.

As a UX design firm, we're thrilled when we get the chance to collaborate on things with a purpose, such as healthcare projects. At UX studio, we have extensive experience in healthcare UX, and we are eager to contribute to the improvement of healthcare in the future. If you are looking for a design partner for healthcare UX, let's get in touch. 

We are ready to help with any product design and research challenges you might have.

Credits
Written by Fruzsina Fejes, UX researcer
Proofread by Johanna Székelyhidi, marketing manager