Telehealth: How Asynchronous Communication Creates Provider Efficiencies

Today, asynchronous communication faces the same hurdles. Providers and patients don’t understand how it works and question its value. This form of care does not occur in real-time. Depending on the platform used, a patient completes and submits an online form via secure email, text, or an app, detailing his or her complaint and relevant history.

There is one additional element that has contributed to the success of asynchronous visits for Presbyterian: a digital front door. Patients visit the pres.today webpage, enter their condition and insurance information and are automatically directed to the appropriate level of care, one of which includes the option for online visits (using asynchronous care).

Because of the asynchronous initiative’s success, the health system is expanding its use beyond low-acuity care. Future plans involve developing new uses for the platform, capturing symptoms and history to create greater efficiencies for video visits and even in-person care.