EHRs and burnout of physicians

Researchers from the prestigious Mayo Clinic have recently turned attention to two issues that seem ubiquitous in modern health care: electronic health record (EHR) usability, and professional burnout among physicians. Using a cross-sectional survey of US physicians across specialty disciplines, the study examined invited the views of 30,456 physicians, assessing 5197 (17.1%) completed surveys, with a random 25% sample of (n=1250) of respondents issues a sub-survey evaluating EHR usability, and 870 (69.6%) completed this. EHR usability was assessed using the System Usability Scale (SUS; range 0-100). SUS scores and the mean ± SD SUS score was 45.9±21.9. A score of 45.9 is in the bottom 9% of scores across previous studies and categorized in the “not acceptable” range or with a grade of F. On multivariate analysis adjusting for age, sex, medical specialty, practice setting, hours worked, and number of nights on call weekly, physician-rated EHR usability was independently associated with the odds of burnout with each 1 point more favorable SUS score associated with a 3% lower odds of burnout (odds ratio, 0.97; 95% CI, 0.97-0.98; P<.001). The study re-enforces the anecdotal views that problems with EHR systems place strain upon the health system, and although other disciplines were not specifically examined, it is plausible that others such as nurses and pharmacists may also be affected. See more here