Notable changes in the workplace, such as EHR implementation and adoption, are leading causes of physician burnout.Thirty-one percent of primary care physicians experience burnout, mostly due to EHR implementation, long hours on computerized work, and bureaucratic tasks, according to a study published in the Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine.
The study also found anxiety to be a major factor with primary care physicians, significantly increasing the likelihood of physician burnout.
Physician burnout is a rising issue with the emergence and prevalence of EHRs. It impacts patient care, leads to medical errors, and lowers patient satisfaction, while also increasing job turnover, deteriorating relationships in the workplace, and drug and alcohol abuse.
“It is important to understand how health care professionals respond to these changes and if certain groups are more likely to experience burnout and why,” Debora Goldberg, MD, associate professor of health administration and policy at George Mason University and the lead study author, said in a statement.
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“This is critical due to the tremendous amount of change taking place in the health care industry, projected physician and nurse shortages, and most recently the extraordinary responsibilities placed on them during the COVID-19 pandemic.”
EHR implementation and adaption across the industry were supposed to enhance and simplify life for clinicians. However, the burden that it has caused has not only had a largely negative impact on clinicians, but it is also costing the healthcare system roughly $4.6 billion per year, according to a previous study.
This latest JABFM study, which was conducted by the College of Health and Human Services at George Mason University, analyzed over 1,200 medical professionals from over 150 small-to-medium-sized primary care practices in Virginia.
The team used the Change Diagnostic Index (CDI) to analyze physician emotions and attitudes following technological or organizational changes at the workplace.
CDI consisted of 25 questions based on a five-point scale that aimed to measure employee behavior and feelings in seven areas: anxiety, frustration, delayed development, rejection of the environment, refusal to participate, withdrawal, and global.
Researchers found 31.6 percent of physicians reported burnout, while 17.2 percent of advanced practice clinicians, 18.9 percent of clinical support staff, and 17.5 percent of administrative staff also experienced burnout. Not only did these respondents experience burnout, but all groups reported high levels of anxiety.
Researchers also noted providers were three times more likely to report burnout due to high levels of anxiety and withdrawal than the other professions.
“The findings of higher physician burnout than that in other professions are in line with previous research,” wrote the authors. “These higher rates of burnout could be reflective of the greater accountability among physicians for patient care, practice management, and compliance to numerous external requirements from payers and regulators.”
Researchers indicated primary care physicians and advanced practice clinicians experience numerous workplace changes due to the adoption and utilization of EHRs and health IT. They also highlighted transformation to new care delivery models, and compliance to new payer requirements as causes for burnout.
“Understanding individual behaviors and attitudes towards disruptive change may help practice leaders and policymakers develop strategies to reduce burnout among healthcare professionals,” wrote the study authors.
“Programs should focus on strengthening the work environment of small to medium-sized practices to improve organizational capacity for change and address high levels of anxiety experienced by physicians, advanced practice clinicians and staff.”
While it is important to identify physician burnout, the researchers said medical leaders must understand the detailed factors associated with burnout in the workplace. A deeper understanding could help reduce or prevent burnout in the future and address employee dissatisfaction.
“Policy makers should consider influences on health care professionals when developing new programs and regulatory requirements,” the writers concluded. “Practice leaders may need external support to strengthen the work environment and to monitor the level and source of anxiety, withdrawal, conflict, and loss of interest experienced by physicians and other health care professionals during major transformations.”
Source: EHR Intelligence