Study: Physician stress and burnout exacerbated by EHRs

A recent study funded by the Rhode Island Department of Health found that 70% of surveyed physicians experience stress related to technology, namely electronic health records (EHR). Prior to this study, there had been no specific measurement of the relationship between EHRs and physician stress and burnout.

The results of this study are unique in that the survey went out to a much larger sample than similar studies. The survey was sent to every physician in Rhode Island, including specialists, instead of focusing only on primary care physicians as past surveys had.

According to Clinical Associative Professor of Medicine Elizabeth Toll, physician use of EHRs decreases productivity and efficiency. Physicians become more error-prone, and the chances that they leave their jobs increases. Associate Professor of Medicine at the Warren Alpert Medical School Rebekah Gardner suggests that the results of this research demonstrate the need for EHR improvement, particularly in user-interface. As an additional attempt to combat physician stress, Toll recommends hiring scribes to assist in documentation, allowing physicians to focus more on patients, thus decreasing burnout.

Source: The Brown Daily Herald