JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Lightening the EHR burden through the five year analysis of a physician engagement strategy in a Canadian Mental Health Organization focused on the use of electronic health records and the impact of digital health.

Objective:

This study focuses on evaluating physician burnout related to electronic health record (EHR) usage, and the impact of a Physician Engagement Strategy at a Canadian mental health organization five years post implementation.

Methods:

A cross-sectional survey was conducted to assess the perceived impact of the Physician Engagement Strategy on burnout associated with EHR use. Physicians were invited to participate in an online survey that included the Mini-Z Burnout questionnaire, along with questions about their perceptions of the EHR and the effectiveness of the initiatives within the Physician Engagement Strategy. Descriptive statistics were applied to analyze the quantitative data, while thematic analysis was used for the qualitative data

Results:

Of the 254 physicians invited, 128 completed the survey, resulting in a 50% response rate. Among the respondents, 26% (33/128) met the criteria for burnout according to the Mini-Z questionnaire, with 61% (20/33) of these attributing their burnout to EHR use. About 52% of participants indicated that the EHR improves communication (67/128) and 38% agreed that the EHR enables high quality care (49/128). Regarding the Physician Engagement Strategy initiatives, 39% (50/128) agreed that communication through the strategy is efficient, and 75% (96/128) felt more proficient in using the EHR. However, additional areas for improvement within the EHR were identified, including: 1) Medication Reconciliation & Prescription Processes; 2) Chart Navigation and Information Retrieval; 3) Longitudinal Medication History; and 4) Technology Infrastructure Challenges.

Conclusions:

This study highlights the potential impact of EHRs on physician burnout and the effectiveness of a unique Physician Engagement Strategy in fostering positive perceptions and improving EHR usability among physicians. By evaluating this initiative in a real-world setting, the study contributes to the broader literature on strategies aimed at enhancing physician experience following large-scale EHR implementation. However, the findings indicate a continued need for system-level improvements to maximize the value and usage of EHRs. The Physician Engagement Strategy demonstrates the potential to enhance physicians' EHR experience. Future efforts should prioritize system-level advancements to increase the EHR’s impact on quality of care and develop standardized approaches for engaging physicians on a broader Canadian scale.