Heavy burden of EHRs could contribute to physician burnout

1. Heavy burden of EHRs could contribute to physician burnout

For every hour physicians spend with patients, nearly 2 additional office hours are spent on clerical work

Abstract: http://www.annals.org/article.aspx?doi=10.7326/M16-0961

Editorial: http://www.annals.org/article.aspx?doi=10.7326/M16-1757

URLs go live when the embargo lifts

For every hour physicians provide direct clinical face time to patients, nearly two additional hours is spent on electronic health records (EHR) and other clerical work within the clinic day. Outside office hours, physicians spend another 1 to 2 hours of personal time each night doing additional clerical work. Researchers suggest that the burden of EHRs could contribute to physician burnout. The findings of a time and motion study are published in Annals of Internal Medicine.

Time spent in meaningful interactions with patients is a powerful driver of physician career satisfaction, but increased paperwork and time on the computer means less time for direct patient care. Correlations between increases in EHR task load and physician burnout and attrition have been shown (more than half of U.S. physicians experience some sign of burnout), but little quantitative data is available on how physicians' spend their time.

Researchers observed 57 U.S. physicians in four states to describe how their time was allocated in ambulatory practice. The physicians also completed diaries about their after-hours work. The researchers found that during the office day, physicians spent 27 percent of their total time on direct clinical face time with patients and more than 49 percent of their time on EHRs and desk work. In the exam room, physicians spent almost 53 percent of their time on direct clinical face time and 37 percent on EHRs and desk work. After hours, physicians spent another 1 to 2 hours each night on clerical work, mostly related to EHRs.

The findings suggest that documentation support with either dictation or documentation assistant services may increase direct clinical face time with patients. The author of an accompanying editorial notes that both the American Medical Association and the American College of Physicians have initiatives aimed at reducing administrative burdens so that physicians can focus on the patient relationship. The author agrees that such changes could help physicians rediscover the joy of medicine.

Note: For an embargoed PDF, please contact Cara Graeff. To reach the lead author, Dr. Christine Sinsky, please contact Robert Mills at Robert.Mills@ama-assn.org or 312-464-5970.

2. In-office screening tool might help to identify patients with substance use problems

Abstract: http://www.annals.org/article.aspx?doi=10.7326/M16-0317

URLs go live when the embargo lifts

A simple, in-office screening tool might help to identify patients with clinically relevant substance use problems. A study of the new Tobacco, Alcohol, Prescription medication, and other Substance use (TAPS) screening tool found that it had good sensitivity and specificity for identifying problem use of tobacco, alcohol, and marijuana. Findings are published in Annals of Internal Medicine.

Substance use, a leading cause of illness and death, is under-identified in medical practice. The TAPS tool consists of a 4-item screen for tobacco, alcohol, illicit drugs, and nonmedical use of prescription medications, followed by a substance-specific assessment of risk level for individuals with positive screening results. Researchers conducted a large multisite study to assess the performance of the TAPS tool compared with a reference standard measure in adult primary care patients. They found that it was effective for identifying problem use of substances most commonly used by primary care patients. For substances encountered less frequently, TAPS sensitivity and specificity estimates were lower and less precise. Further refinement may be needed before TAPS could be used to screen for substance use disorders.

Note: For an embargoed PDF, please contact Cara Graeff. To reach the lead author, Dr. Jennifer McNeely, please contact Elaine Meyer at elaine.meyer@nyumc.org or 646-501-2895.

Also new in this issue:

Judgement Call

Sharon Rosenzweig

Annals Graphic Medicine

Free content: http://www.annals.org/article.aspx?doi=10.7326/G16-0010

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