NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, Walgreens partner on telemedicine initiative

NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital is partnering with Walgreens for telemedicine services, opening a telemedicine kiosk in a Duane Reade convenience store on Wall Street in Manhattan. The two organizations plan to open more kiosks next year. 

The kiosks are located in private rooms in the stores, and allow patients to access quick examinations and diagnoses of non-threatening illnesses or injuries by connecting with clinicians at NYP OnDemand Urgent Care, according to an announcement. Pediatric emergency physicians will also be available during limited hours. 

“Patients can expect to receive focused, one-on-one care from leading physicians, where and when they need it," said NewYork-Presbyterian CEO Steven J. Corwin, M.D. "We believe telemedicine has a critical role to play in expanding access to high-quality care, and we are proud to be at the forefront of digital healthcare delivery.” 

RELATED: How telehealth is shaping the future of healthcare 

The telemedicine services are also accessible from patients' homes via video chat on Walgreens' website. The virtual visits typically take between 10 and 20 minutes, whether at home or through the kiosks. 

Telehealth is typically cited as a key solution for the rural healthcare crisis, but it's something that urban patients can benefit from as well, as living in a larger city may not necessarily mean that they have greater access to healthcare services. 

Researchers at Princeton and Thomas Jefferson University recently said that payment models for telehealth focus on geography, and therefore do not take into account the value it can have in urban areas.

“The best way to care for patients in rural environments is to build programs that synchronize rural and urban care,” the researchers said.