By Daniel Casciato
In a digital age where convenience meets necessity, Baptist Health is leading the charge with its virtual urgent care platform, PineApp. As telehealth becomes a standard feature of modern healthcare, the platform is redefining how and when patients can access medical care, making it possible to consult with a physician within minutes, from anywhere.
David Mishkin, M.D., assistant medical director of Emergency Medicine and medical director of Virtual Urgent Care/Urgent Care Express at Baptist Health, says the goal is simple: “To provide safe, high-quality, and efficient care without sacrificing convenience.”
Treating Everyday Illnesses Virtually
Virtual urgent care, Dr. Mishkin explains, is best suited for non-life-threatening conditions that don’t require hands-on procedures or extensive testing. These include “minor respiratory infections, allergic reactions, eye complaints, minor skin and soft-tissue issues, and uncomplicated urinary tract infections.”
The platform helps patients quickly distinguish when they can be treated remotely and when they should seek in-person care. “Chest pain, shortness of breath, severe abdominal pain, or neurologic complaints” are red flags that warrant immediate, physical evaluation. “We also are very cautious with patients who are very young, such as infants, and our geriatric population as well,” he adds.
Virtual Care’s Post-Pandemic Momentum
Like many healthcare innovations, PineApp saw exponential growth during the COVID-19 pandemic. “The pandemic forced a rapid expansion of telehealth adoption,” says Dr. Mishkin. “Our health system converted to telehealth within days.”
What began as a necessary response to a global health crisis has since become a permanent fixture. “Over the past several years, we have continued to see sustained adoption and utilization for virtual urgent care,” he explains. “As patients are demanding both accessible and lower-cost alternatives to care, we remain a trusted source to efficiently meet that demand.”
Seamless From Start to Finish
Using PineApp is intentionally straightforward. After downloading and registering, patients simply tap “Get Care” and choose “Same-day Care.” A symptom questionnaire helps triage the case and matches the patient with an available provider.
“One of our Baptist Health Virtual Urgent Care providers will then be readily available to conduct a brief history and exam to properly address the patient’s medical concern,” says Dr. Mishkin.
Depending on the condition, the provider may prescribe medications, offer self-care instructions, or recommend an in-person follow-up. “The visit is documented in the patient’s medical record, so their PCP or specialist can review the care at a later time.”
Fast, Affordable, and Available 24/7
When it comes to benefits, virtual urgent care shines in areas patients value most: speed, accessibility, and cost.
“Patients can usually be seen in minutes, whereas visits to both urgent care and emergency departments can take several hours,” says Dr. Mishkin. “Our Virtual Urgent Care is also open 24/7, so patients do not need to wait for clinic hours to be seen.”
Convenience is further amplified by the ability to log in from home, work, or even while traveling. “This eliminates driving and sitting in crowded waiting rooms,” he says. Prescriptions are sent electronically to the pharmacy of the patient’s choice, and records are stored securely in the electronic health system.
Equally important is the cost. “Our virtual urgent care visits are intentionally designed to be low-cost,” Dr. Mishkin emphasizes. “Patients are only responsible for a one-time fee to access care.”
Quality Without Compromise
Skepticism around virtual care has diminished significantly in recent years, but Baptist Health has taken extra steps to ensure quality and safety remain on par with in-person visits.
“All our providers are specially trained in delivering virtual care,” says Dr. Mishkin. “We focus on expertise utilizing the technology along with what we call delivering excellent ‘webside manner.’”
That training isn’t isolated to virtual care. Providers also rotate through Baptist Health’s same-day sites, primary care, urgent care, and emergency departments, ensuring they stay current with in-person workflows and standards.
Rigorous oversight is also a key part of the model. “We conduct ongoing quality reviews for virtual visits, including case reviews, to ensure we are meeting best practices and evidence-based guidelines,” he adds.
Changing Minds and Building Trust
While early skepticism around virtual visits has faded, Baptist Health continues to prioritize patient trust. “Had you asked me this question several years ago, I would have a very different answer,” Dr. Mishkin admits. “Today we find that patients are very comfortable with virtual care, with many preferring virtual over an in-person visit.”
That trust has been earned through consistent care, reliable outcomes, and a platform designed with transparency in mind. “Our commitment to provider expertise, quality oversight, and patient transparency are our driving forces as we build continued trust in this delivery model,” he says.
A Glimpse Into the Future
Looking ahead, Dr. Mishkin sees virtual urgent care as not just a convenient option, but a primary entry point into the healthcare system.
“We anticipate virtual urgent care becoming a more central part of how our patients access care,” he says. “No longer just focusing on convenience and cost alone, but also an alternative to being a standard first point of entry into our health system.”
He also anticipates that artificial intelligence (AI) will play a growing role in enhancing the patient experience. From triaging symptoms to offering diagnostic support, AI will likely expand the scope and scalability of virtual care. “Virtual urgent care has the potential to accommodate higher patient volumes while maintaining the same consistency, accessibility and affordability that patients have come to expect from our service.”
As South Florida’s healthcare needs evolve, Baptist Health’s PineApp is proving that high-quality care doesn’t always begin in a waiting room—it can start with a tap on your phone.
For more information, visit BaptistHealth.net.
