Learn about the differences between synchronous and asynchronous virtual scribing. AxiScribe enhances your charting with flexible scribing solutions.
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 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, 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.
When deciding between synchronous and asynchronous virtual scribing options, healthcare providers should consider several factors, including:
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.