Synchronous vs. Asynchronous Virtual Scribing: Which One Is Right for Your Practice?

The healthcare industry is evolving by the day, and staffing plays a crucial role in supporting these changes. One such staffing modality is virtual medical scribing, which has gained considerable traction in recent years. Virtual medical scribes are professionals who assist healthcare providers with documentation tasks, such as medical charting and note-taking. There are two main types of virtual medical scribes: synchronous (or online) and asynchronous (or offline). This blog will discuss what synchronous and asynchronous scribes do and what healthcare providers should consider when deciding between these two virtual scribing options.

Synchronous Virtual Scribes

Synchronous virtual scribes are medical professionals who work in real-time with the healthcare provider during the patient encounter. They listen to the conversation between the provider and patient, take notes, and enter information into the electronic health record (EHR) in real time. This allows the provider to focus on the patient and the medical scribe to handle the documentation tasks.

Synchronous virtual scribes work as an extension of the healthcare provider, providing immediate documentation and feedback during the encounter. This can improve the quality of care provided to the patient, as it ensures that all relevant information is accurately captured and documented in the EHR.

Synchronous virtual scribes can work remotely or onsite, depending on the healthcare provider’s needs. They are typically trained professionals with a background in healthcare, such as medical transcriptionists, medical assistants, or nurses. They understand how to use EHR systems and have an excellent command of medical terminology.

Asynchronous Virtual Scribes

Asynchronous virtual scribes, on the other hand, work independently of the healthcare provider and patient encounter. They listen to the recorded conversation between the provider and patient after the patient encounter and then complete the charting and documentation tasks later. The provider then reviews the completed documentation for accuracy and completeness.

Asynchronous virtual scribes offer a flexible option for doctors who prefer a more streamlined documentation workflow. They can work at any time and do not require immediate feedback from the physician during the encounter. This can help to improve provider efficiency and reduce the administrative burden of documentation tasks.

Asynchronous virtual scribes are also trained professionals with a background in healthcare and EHR systems. They are skilled in using technology and can navigate the EHR system to complete documentation tasks accurately and efficiently.

What Healthcare Providers Should Consider

When deciding between synchronous and asynchronous virtual scribing options, healthcare providers should consider several factors, including:
 

1. Provider Preference: Healthcare providers should consider their personal preference for documentation workflow when deciding between synchronous and asynchronous scribes. Synchronous virtual scribes offer immediate feedback and documentation, while asynchronous scribes offer a more flexible and streamlined workflow.

 

2. Patient Volume: The volume of patients the healthcare provider sees can also impact the choice between synchronous and asynchronous scribes. Providers who see a high volume of patients may prefer synchronous virtual scribes to ensure that all relevant information is accurately captured and documented in real time.

 

3. Time Constraints: Healthcare providers with limited time may prefer asynchronous virtual scribes to reduce the administrative burden of documentation tasks. Asynchronous scribes can complete documentation tasks at any time, which can help to improve provider efficiency and reduce workload.

 

4. Cost: The cost of virtual scribing services through medical scribe companies, like Athreon, can vary depending on the type of scribe and the level of service provided. Healthcare providers should consider their budget when deciding between synchronous and asynchronous scribing options.

 

5. Training and Qualifications: Healthcare providers should ensure that the virtual scribe they choose has the necessary training and qualifications to perform the required tasks accurately and efficiently. Both synchronous and asynchronous scribes should have expertise in navigating EHR systems.

Make the Smart Choice with an Axiscribe Virtual Scribe

Deciding between synchronous and asynchronous virtual scribing options depends on various factors that healthcare providers should consider carefully. If you are a healthcare provider looking for a reliable and efficient virtual scribing service, Athreon can help. Athreon’s AxiScribe solution offers both synchronous and asynchronous virtual scribing options. AxiScribe gives physicians the flexibility and support to enhance their patient charting workflows. Contact Athreon today to learn more about their virtual scribing solutions and how they can benefit your practice.