Updated on June 9, 2025 by Jordan McGlone
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Key Takeaways
1. Cloud-based healthcare software improves efficiency and flexibility in healthcare. Healthcare providers can manage patient records, scheduling, and billing from anywhere.
2. A good cloud-based healthcare software should meet stringent healthcare regulations, such as HIPAA and HITRUST.
3. PatientCalls brings cloud power to call management with 24/7 medical answering, HIPAA-compliant communication, and customizable workflows.
Overview of Cloud-Based Healthcare Software
Cloud-based healthcare software is a type of digital tool that runs on remote servers and is accessed over the internet. It’s designed to help with the day-to-day work in healthcare, such as:
- Managing patient records
- Scheduling
- Billing, and more
Instead of using software installed on local computers, healthcare providers are encouraged to use cloud systems to keep everything connected and organized.
This approach helps improve the smooth operation of things, makes information available when and where it’s needed, and supports better patient care.
7 Cloud-Based Tools Built for Healthcare Applications
Here are a few of the latest cloud tools, apps, storage solutions, and software that are currently powering the healthcare industry.
1. 3D4Medical
This cloud-based app was developed specifically for medical training and diagnostics. 3D4Medical enables students and doctors to view the human anatomy in minute detail and explore the connections between organs, muscles, and other tissues.
Standout Features
- 13,000+ 3D structures. Detailed models across all major body systems, including male and female anatomy.
- Real-time simulations. Visualize muscle movements, heartbeats, and common pathologies.
- Augmented reality. Immersive AR experiences for hands-on learning.
- Rich content library. Includes 1,500+ clinical videos and 150+ hours of expert-led courses.
2. NetApp
NetApp utilizes a hybrid cloud infrastructure to deliver real-time data management and expedite EMR operations. Specifically designed for the healthcare and life sciences industries, NetApp aims to streamline clinical data management and is validated and certified for data security compliance.
Standout Features
- High application virtualization. Achieves 98% virtualization of healthcare applications, enhancing scalability and resource utilization.
- Low-latency performance. Reduces latency from 15 ms to 4 ms, ensuring faster access to critical clinical data.
- Rapid development environment setup. Accelerates the provisioning of development environments from two days to approximately 20 minutes, supporting agile development cycles.
- Simplified clinical data management. Streamlines data handling processes, improving efficiency and reducing complexity in clinical settings.
3. Medscap App
Medscape is the most widely used cloud app for physicians and healthcare professionals worldwide. It delivers the latest medical news and information about new treatments and clinical innovations. It offers a convenient schedule of CME courses and tracks the user’s professional education credits.
Standout Features
- Drug reference. Access detailed information on over 8,000 brand-name and generic drugs, including dosing, interactions, and side effects.
- Medical news and journals. Stay current with the latest medical news, expert commentary, and peer-reviewed journal articles across various specialties.
- Clinical tools and calculators. Utilize a suite of clinical tools, including medical calculators, pill identifiers, and disease reference guides, to support decision-making.
- Continuing Medical Education (CME). Earn CME credits through a variety of educational activities and track progress directly within the app..
4. Doximity
Doximity is the largest HIPAA-compliant medical network built exclusively for healthcare professionals in the United States. Designed with the modern physician in mind, it combines secure calling, faxing, messaging, and access to medical content into a single, easy-to-use mobile app.
With over 80% of U.S. physicians as verified users, Doximity has become an essential tool for connecting, communicating, and staying current without being tied to a desk.
Standout Features
- Dialer and dialer Video. Call patients directly from your smartphone while displaying your office number, or conduct telehealth visits via texted video links.
- HIPAA-compliant mobile fax. Send and receive secure faxes from anywhere with a free mobile fax number.
- AI writing assistant. Speed up administrative tasks like insurance forms, grant drafts, and clinical documentation with built-in generative AI tools.
- Secure messaging. Communicate with verified colleagues using encrypted, HIPAA-compliant messages within the Doximity network.
5. Box for Healthcare
Box is a HIPAA-compliant cloud storage platform and patient portal designed to facilitate easy document sharing while maintaining top-level cybersecurity. All PHI stored on Box is encrypted, and security controls conform to the most current regulations.
Standout Features
- HIPAA-compliant cloud storage. Securely store and manage patient data in compliance with healthcare regulations.
- Seamless collaboration. Facilitate real-time collaboration among healthcare professionals to improve care coordination.
- Integration. Integrate with electronic health records or cloud-based EHR systems and other healthcare applications to streamline workflows.
- Mobile access. Access and share patient information securely from any device, enhancing flexibility for healthcare providers.
6. VisualDx
VisualDX is an innovative cloud-based tool designed to help physicians and specialists enhance diagnostic accuracy with concise, peer-reviewed content written by medical experts in each specialty.
The app provides access to a wealth of up-to-date information and images with a single click, facilitating rapid differential diagnoses and enhancing patient care.
Standout Features
- Extensive image library. Access to over 100,000 peer-reviewed images covering a wide range of medical conditions, aiding in visual diagnosis.
- Differential diagnosis support. Input patient symptoms to receive a ranked list of potential diagnoses, each accompanied by visual references.
- Medication reaction identification. Search for medications to identify possible adverse drug reactions that may be affecting the patient.
- Educational integration. Utilized in over 90 U.S. medical schools for teaching purposes, enhancing medical education through visual learning.
7. Google Cloud Healthcare API
Combining analytics data and machine learning, Google’s Cloud Healthcare API is a secure development environment for building solutions for medical practices.
This tool makes it easy to share sensitive data with new applications developed on Google Cloud. It works seamlessly with data processing, analytics, and machine learning platforms.
Standout Features
- Standards support. Compatible with FHIR, HL7v2, and DICOM for easy data sharing and system integration.
- AI & analytics. Connects with Vertex AI and BigQuery for advanced insights and predictive modeling.
- Built-in de-identification. Protects sensitive data with automated tools to remove personal identifiers.
- Access control. Uses Google IAM to control who can access specific healthcare data and patient outcomes.
- Audit logging. Tracks all data access and changes for security measures and compliance reporting.
Related article: Why Healthcare Admins Are Feeling More Burnt Out than Ever.
Why Healthcare Is Moving to the Cloud
Healthcare is moving to the cloud because providers no longer have the time or the infrastructure for outdated, on-premise systems. Here’s why more healthcare organizations are shifting to the cloud:
- It’s built for busy environments. Doctors, nurses, and administrators can access what they need from any device, such as when they’re in a clinic, working remotely, or making rounds in different departments.
- Saves time and money. No need for expensive hardware or dedicated IT teams to keep things running. Cloud computing handles software updates, backups, and security.
- Improves patient care. With instant access to complete patient care histories with patient engagement, test results, and treatment plans, healthcare providers can make faster, better-informed decisions.
This shift is also driving demand for service partners who understand both the technical and regulatory side of healthcare communication. That’s where PatientCalls stands out.
Unlike standalone software, PatientCalls offers a fully managed, HIPAA-compliant medical answering service, providing your practice with both the tools and the support staff to assist your front-line staff.
PatientCalls can handle after-hours calls and ensure urgent messages are routed properly. Get on a call with us to know more.
What to Look for When Selecting Cloud-Based Healthcare Software?
Let’s walk through what to look for when selecting cloud-based healthcare software, starting with why each factor matters. Here’s a clear, step-by-step breakdown of each subheading with the reasoning behind it:
1. HIPAA and Security Compliance
Cloud-based systems must adhere to strict regulations, such as HIPAA (in the U.S.) and GDPR (in the European Union), as well as HITRUST, to protect sensitive health data. Choosing a vendor that meets these standards helps you avoid compliance headaches and ensures that your patients’ information stays secure.
2. Ease of Integration
Software that supports interoperability standards like FHIR or HL7 can pull together patient information from multiple sources, giving clinicians a unified view and reducing manual data entry errors.
3. User-Friendly Interface
Even the most powerful software won’t help if no one wants to use it. Doctors and staff are already stretched thin; they won’t have time to wrestle with clunky tools. A clean, intuitive interface ensures:
- Faster adoption across teams
- Fewer training hours
- Less resistance to digital transformation
4. Scalability and Flexibility
Your needs today may not be the same a year from now. Whether you’re opening new locations, expanding services, or growing your patient base, your software should be able to grow with you, without major disruptions. Look for solutions that support:
- Easy user expansion
- Remote work capabilities
- Custom features that suit your workflow
5. Reliability and Uptime
In healthcare, delays can impact patient care. Cloud systems must be available all the time, especially during emergencies. If the system crashes or data is lost, it can delay diagnoses, treatment, or insurance processing. That’s why:
- High uptime guarantees (99.9 %+)
- Built-in disaster recovery
- Automatic data backups are non-negotiable
6. Customer Support and Onboarding
Even great software can run into issues. What sets vendors apart is how they respond when things go wrong. You’ll want:
- Fast, responsive support
- Help during setup and staff onboarding
- Someone who understands healthcare
7. Cost Transparency
Healthcare budgets are tight. Hidden fees or unpredictable pricing models can blow up your IT costs. Knowing exactly what you’re paying for, like storage to support, helps you make smarter decisions. Ask:
- Is it subscription-based?
- Are upgrades or integrations extra?
- Is support included?
PatientCalls – The Reliable Choice for Cloud-Based Healthcare Support
Healthcare teams are stretched thin. Between back-to-back appointments, after-hours calls, and urgent inbound messages, most practices struggle to keep up with communication. Cloud-based tools can help, but not all of them are built with real-time responsiveness or HIPAA compliance in mind.
PatientCalls offers a cloud-backed, HIPAA-compliant medical answering service that acts as an extension of your front desk. With a fully encrypted infrastructure, custom call scripts, and EMR integrations, it’s designed to reduce administrative stress while enhancing patient experience. Here’s how it helps you:
- Review how your practice handles call volume, scheduling, and urgent messages.
- Look into tools that integrate call management, scheduling, and secure messaging.
- Explore how PatientCalls can work with your existing systems to simplify communication, reduce staff burden, and deliver consistent patient support 24/7.
Want to see how it all works in action? Reach out to PatientCalls and discover how cloud-based answering services can take the pressure off your staff and keep your operations running smoothly.
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