Part II: The Product Lifecycle

Development & Architecture

Building secure, scalable health applications
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Health application development requires rigorous engineering practices combined with deep knowledge of healthcare compliance requirements.

Tech Stack Decisions

Choose technologies that support your compliance and integration needs:

LayerConsiderations for Health
FrontendReact/React Native for cross-platform, Swift/Kotlin for native
BackendNode.js, Python, Go — any language works, architecture matters more
DatabaseHIPAA-eligible: AWS RDS, GCP Cloud SQL, Azure SQL; encryption required
CloudAWS (HIPAA), GCP (HIPAA/BAA), Azure (HIPAA/BAA)
AuthAuth0, Cognito, Azure AD — must support MFA, RBAC, SSO
CI/CDGitHub Actions, GitLab CI — with security scanning integrated

HIPAA-Compliant Cloud Architecture

Key architectural requirements:

  • Encryption at rest: AES-256 for all PHI storage
  • Encryption in transit: TLS 1.2+ for all data transmission
  • Access controls: Least-privilege access, MFA for all production access
  • Audit logging: Immutable logs of all PHI access, retained per regulatory requirements
  • Data segregation: Logical or physical separation of PHI
  • Backup and DR: Encrypted backups, tested recovery procedures

Mobile Health Development

Mobile health apps have unique requirements:

  • Offline capability: Patients may have limited connectivity
  • Local encryption: Encrypt health data stored on device
  • Background sync: Data must sync when connectivity is available
  • Push notifications: Medication reminders, alerts (with privacy considerations)
  • Platform compliance: App Store review considerations for health apps

Integration Architecture

Health apps rarely exist in isolation. Plan for integrations:

  • EHR integration: FHIR, HL7 v2, SMART-on-FHIR
  • Device integration: Bluetooth/BLE, Apple Health, Google Fit, Health Connect
  • Pharmacy integration: Prescription fulfillment, drug interaction checks
  • Lab integration: HL7 order/result interfaces
  • Payment integration: Insurance eligibility, claims submission