As healthcare continues to evolve, so does the way it is delivered. In recent years, video and phone consultations – widely known as telehealth – have become more commonplace, offering a convenient alternative to traditional face-to-face appointments. But now, another model is gaining momentum: asynchronous care (AsynCare).
AsynCare is transforming how remote support is delivered – making it more accessible, more scalable, and in many cases, more flexible. And it’s not just healthcare providers taking notice. For people living with long-term conditions, it’s quickly rising in popularity as a route to consistent, personalised care.
What is asynchronous care – and how does it differ from telehealth?
Asynchronous care allows patients to engage with healthcare professionals without needing to connect in real time. Rather than attending a live appointment, patients submit relevant information - such as symptoms, health data or progress updates - via a secure platform. Clinicians then review this at a later time and respond with tailored advice, treatment plans or follow-up steps.
This approach, sometimes referred to as “store-and-forward” care, is particularly effective for low-acuity cases and ongoing follow-up pathways. It removes the need for scheduled consultations while still maintaining a high standard of personalised, clinically safe care.
Unlike traditional telehealth - which still relies on synchronous interaction, such as live video or phone calls - AsynCare removes the need for both patient and clinician to be available at the same time. This makes the model more flexible, more scalable, and often better suited to the realities of long-term condition management.
Why healthcare systems are shifting to AsynCare
Asynchronous care is not just a convenience – it’s a strategic solution to many of the challenges facing modern healthcare systems. Key benefits include:
- Improved flexibility: Patients can provide updates at a time that suits them, without the pressure of a live call. Clinicians can respond when appropriate, allowing for better time management and fewer delays.
- Reduced burden on clinical teams: Structured data collection, automated workflows and asynchronous communication reduce unnecessary admin, freeing up capacity for more complex cases.
- Better access: Unlike video-based services, AsynCare doesn’t require high-speed internet or stable signal. This opens access to those in underserved or rural areas and removes digital barriers for many.
- Faster turnaround: Without needing to wait for a scheduled slot, many patients receive a clinical response within hours. This speeds up triage, intervention and resolution times.
- Strong clinical outcomes: Studies show that asynchronous models can be just as effective as traditional consultations for low-risk conditions, particularly where behaviour change, education and monitoring are key components.
The importance of maintaining a human connection
There’s a common misconception that asynchronous care is impersonal. In reality, when designed properly, it can strengthen engagement. People are often more comfortable communicating in their own time and space, and regular asynchronous check-ins can provide a sense of ongoing support – without overwhelming their schedule.
The key lies in combining digital delivery with meaningful, human interaction. That’s where health coaching plays a vital role. Regular messages, lifestyle tracking and motivational feedback – even when delivered asynchronously – can drive real, lasting behaviour change.
Where Liva Healthcare fits in
At Liva Healthcare, we’ve embraced the power of asynchronous care as part of our mission to improve the lives of people living with long-term conditions. Our evidence-based digital programmes are built around flexibility and personalisation – combining structured digital support with real human coaching.
Through secure asynchronous messaging, regular feedback and guided goal setting, Liva’s coaches provide tailored support that fits seamlessly into people’s daily lives. This model ensures consistent engagement and clinically proven outcomes, while also easing the operational burden on providers.
Whether it’s supporting weight management, type 2 diabetes remission, or cardiovascular risk reduction, our approach puts people at the centre – with the right support, at the right time, in the right format.
A growing role in modern healthcare
AsynCare isn’t a replacement for traditional telehealth - it fulfils a different role. Where live consultations offer real-time support for diagnosis, escalation or acute needs, asynchronous care is better suited to longer-term engagement, behaviour change, and ongoing condition management.
By removing the need for scheduled appointments, it opens up a new level of flexibility - making it easier for healthcare teams to stay connected with patients consistently, and for patients to engage on their own terms.
As demand for remote and scalable care continues to grow, AsynCare is becoming an essential part of the broader digital care toolkit. It allows services to extend reach, ease operational pressure, and improve continuity - particularly for people living with, or at risk of, long-term conditions.
At Liva Healthcare, we’ve built our programmes with this in mind. Our blended model brings together structured asynchronous support with expert human coaching, underpinned by clinically validated outcomes. It’s an approach that helps people make sustainable lifestyle changes - and helps healthcare systems deliver more, with impact.
