Health technology product development is a complex process where even one wrong step can lead to significant delays, increased costs, or in the worst case, complete project failure. Although the industry’s opportunities are vast, health technology product development contains specific pitfalls that surprise too many companies. Let’s examine the five most common mistakes and ways to avoid them.
Insufficient user understanding and neglect of usability testing
One of the most serious mistakes in health technology product development is underestimating user needs. Too often, development teams focus on technical features while forgetting the everyday reality of actual users, such as nurses, doctors, or patients. This leads to products that may function technically flawlessly but do not integrate smoothly into the usage environment.
Neglecting usability testing is particularly risky in health technology, as usage errors can compromise patient safety. The IEC 62366 standard requires systematic usability design and testing, but many companies leave this process until too late a stage. The result is expensive changes in the final stages of development or delays in market entry.
Underestimating regulatory requirements and deficiencies in risk management
Health technology regulation has tightened significantly in recent years. The MDR regulation (Medical Device Regulation) has brought new requirements that many companies still underestimate. Failing to consider regulatory requirements in the early stages of development can lead to delays of even years in market access.
Risk management according to ISO 14971 standard is mandatory for all medical devices, but it is often not sufficiently integrated into the entire product development process. Risk management should begin already in the concept phase and continue throughout the product’s entire lifecycle. Inadequate risk management can lead to certification difficulties and additional clinical studies.
Delayed development of quality systems and documentation deficiencies
A quality system compliant with ISO 13485 standard is essential for success in health technology markets. Too many companies begin building their quality system only when the product is already far along in the development phase. This results in having to create documentation retroactively, which is both expensive and time-consuming.
Documentation deficiencies are a common problem that significantly slows certification processes. Health technology requires comprehensive documentation of all development phases, testing, and decisions. When documentation is not in order from the beginning, gaps easily arise that can lead to certification delays or rejection.
Insufficient consideration of patient safety in the development process
Patient safety is the core of health technology, but it is not always sufficiently considered throughout the entire development process. Ensuring patient safety requires a systematic approach that begins already in the design phase and continues throughout the product’s entire lifecycle.
Common mistakes include underestimating the possibility of usage errors, insufficient safety tests, and lack of post-market surveillance. These can lead to serious safety problems that harm both patients and the company’s reputation. Integrating safety requirements as part of the development process requires expertise and a systematic approach.
How to avoid the pitfalls of health technology product development?
The key to successful health technology product development is proactive planning and utilizing the right expertise already in the early stages of the project. We at Clinipower have seen countless projects where timely consultation would have saved significant costs and time.
Practical measures for avoiding pitfalls include starting user-centered design immediately in the concept phase, mapping regulatory requirements before beginning development, and building the quality system parallel to product development. Additionally, risk management and ensuring patient safety must be integrated into the entire process from the beginning. We offer support for these challenges through product development process consultation, usability design, and regulatory expertise.
