The Thrill Is Gone: Burdensome Electronic Documentation Takes Its Toll on Physicians’ Time and Attention

Abstract

Exam room computing has become ubiquitous in outpatient clinic visits as electronic health record (EHR) documentation requirements for “meaningful use” are adopted. Despite its initial promise, EHRs have created several unanticipated consequences, not the least of which is that physicians’ attention during patient visits being split between delivering care and completing EHR documentation tasks. Even with real-time documentation in the exam room, the majority of physicians spend additional time after hours completing EHR-related tasks.1 In a recent survey, physicians who reported inadequate time for documentation and “excessive” use of the EHR at home had higher rates of burnout.