DocConnect - A Telemedicine Application

Abstract

This paper presents the design, development, and evaluation of a cloud-integrated telemedicine application built using a microservices architecture to enhance the efficiency and accessibility of remote healthcare delivery. Leveraging the MEVN stack—MongoDB, Express.js, Vue.js, and Node.js—alongside cloud services, the system provides patients with streamlined access to healthcare professionals through a responsive, secure, and scalable platform. Key features of the application include appointment scheduling, real-time video consultations, electronic health record (EHR) management, and robust data security mechanisms. These functionalities aim to address pressing challenges in the telemedicine domain, particularly in terms of accessibility, data privacy, and system scalability. The paper outlines the background and significance of the project in the context of the evolving digital healthcare landscape, followed by a comprehensive review of existing solutions and their limitations. A detailed discussion of the system’s architecture emphasizes its modularity and scalability through the use of cloud-native components. Implementation and methodology sections highlight the integration of microservices, containerization, and API-based communication. Testing and evaluation demonstrate the system’s performance, usability, and security through qualitative and quantitative analyses. The results underscore the application\'s reliability and effectiveness in delivering remote healthcare services

Introduction

I. Introduction

The rapid growth of digital technologies has significantly transformed healthcare, with telemedicine emerging as a vital solution for remote care. Originally designed for isolated or military settings, telemedicine now supports a wide audience using secure platforms built on video calls, mobile apps, and encrypted data systems.

The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated its adoption, proving telemedicine essential for managing chronic conditions and ensuring continuous care. The project introduces DocConnect, a full-stack telemedicine platform built using the MEVN stack (MongoDB, Express.js, Vue.js, Node.js), offering scalability, performance, and seamless integration of healthcare services.

II. Literature Review

Telemedicine has evolved from basic, location-specific use to mainstream digital healthcare, thanks to:

• High-speed internet, cloud computing, and mobile devices

• Real-time video consultations, diagnostics, EHR access, and wearable device integration

• Microservices architecture, RESTful APIs, and containerization (e.g., Docker/Kubernetes) for modularity and scalability

The MEVN stack is especially suitable for healthcare:

• MongoDB handles semi-structured health data efficiently

• Vue.js offers dynamic, user-friendly interfaces

• Node.js/Express provides a robust backend for real-time interactions

Challenges like privacy, limited personalization, and system rigidity were highlighted during COVID-19, prompting the development of flexible, secure, and scalable systems like DocConnect.

III. System Architecture and Design

DocConnect uses a multi-tier architecture with a microservices model and cloud-compatible deployment. Key components include:

1. Frontend (Vue.js): Provides responsive, interactive UIs for patients and doctors.

2. Backend (Node.js + Express): RESTful microservices handle user roles, appointments, consultations, billing, and notifications.

3. Database (MongoDB): Stores patient data, EHR, appointments, and billing with real-time accessibility.

Key Modules:

• User Management: Role-based access control (patients, doctors, admins)

• Appointment Scheduling: Calendar sync and slot management

• Consultation: Secure video/chat (via WebRTC)

• EHR: Digital prescriptions, lab results, and doctor notes

• Billing: Secure payments via Stripe

• Notifications: Real-time alerts and updates

• Feedback System: Ratings and reviews for transparency and quality

IV. Implementation

DocConnect was developed using agile methodology, with modular service development:

• Frontend: Vue.js with Vue Router and Vuex for navigation and state management.

• Backend Services: Each microservice (e.g., User, Appointment, Billing) operates independently, allowing scalability and easy debugging.

• Security: JWT-based authentication, HTTPS encryption, RBAC enforcement, and bcrypt for secure password storage.

• Deployment: Dockerized services, deployed on platforms like Heroku/AWS; MongoDB Atlas for cloud database hosting.

• Real-time Communication: WebRTC used for video consultations; Socket.io considered for future chat features.

V. Results

1. System Performance:

• Efficient under load, with fast API response times (<200ms)

• Smooth video consultations (low latency) with stable internet

2. Usability:

• Responsive across devices (mobile, desktop, tablet)

• Intuitive user interfaces for both patients and doctors

• High satisfaction in pilot testing for ease of navigation and booking

3. Security:

• Passed penetration tests for common vulnerabilities (XSS, CSRF, NoSQL injection)

• Strong data protection via HTTPS, RBAC, JWT, and encrypted passwords

4. Scalability and Maintainability:

• Microservices enable independent scaling and updates

• Docker ensures streamlined deployment

• Future-ready for Kubernetes, AI integration, and IoT health device connectivity

Conclusion

The development of DocConnect, a microservices-based telemedicine application, represents a significant step toward making remote healthcare more accessible, secure, and scalable. By leveraging the MEVN stack—MongoDB, Express, Vue.js, and Node.js—along with cloud services and modular architecture, the system delivers a robust platform that meets the modern demands of virtual healthcare delivery. Through this project, critical challenges in telemedicine—such as real-time communication, patient data security, appointment scheduling, and electronic health record management—were addressed through carefully designed microservices and secure, RESTful APIs. The incorporation of WebRTC for video consultations and secure authentication protocols (like JWT and RBAC) enhanced both the functional and privacy aspects of the application. System testing revealed high performance under load, strong user satisfaction, and secure operations, validating the platform\'s architecture and implementation. The modular design further allows for ease of maintenance and seamless integration of additional features in the future. In essence, DocConnect demonstrates that a cloud-ready, microservices-driven telemedicine platform can bridge the gap in healthcare accessibility—especially in underserved and remote areas—without compromising on user experience or data protection. Looking forward, the platform has the potential to evolve through the integration of AI-assisted diagnostics, wearable health device integration, multilingual support, and machine learning-powered appointment prioritization. These future enhancements could further enrich the system\'s impact on the healthcare ecosystem, making it a truly next-generation telemedicine solution.

References

[1] The Unequal Distribution of Healthcare Resources : Evidence From China, Jinghong Gao , 2022 [2] Telemedicine for healthcare: Capabilities, features, barriers, and applications, Abid Haleem, 2021 [3] Telemedicine: A Guide to Assessing Telecommunications for Health Care, Marilyn J. Field, 1996 [4] Patients’ perspectives and preferences toward telemedicine versus in-person visits: a mixed-methods study on 1226 patients, Khadijeh Moulaei1 , Abbas Sheikhtaheri ,2023 [5] Exploring the potential of telemedicine for improved primary healthcare in India: a comprehensive review Ashwaghosha Parthasarathi,a Tina George,2021 [6] Patient and clinician experiences of remote consultation during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic: A service evaluation,Digital Health Volume,2022 [7] Medical specialists’ use and opinion of video consultation in Denmark: a survey study,2024 [8] Cost-Effectiveness of Telemedicine in Remote Orthopedic Consultations: Randomized Controlled Trial, J Med Internet Res., 2019 [9] Consensus on Criteria for Good Practices in Video Consultation: A Delphi Study, Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2020 [10] Patients Managing Their Medical Data in Personal Electronic Health Records: Scoping Review.

Copyright

Copyright © 2025 Pragyan Shaw, Aman Jaiswal. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.