Impact of EHRs on Nursing Burnout in a Hospital Setting in Saudi Arabia: Mixed-Methods Study.

This study explores the association between nursing burnout and Electronic Health Record (EHR) use in a Saudi Arabian hospital adopting an advanced EHR system. Utilising a mixed-methods approach, the research combines quantitative analysis of 282 survey responses and qualitative interviews from 21 registered nurses. Despite high EHR acceptance, negative perceptions and stress related to EHR use were identified. Findings indicate a weak link between EHR use and burnout, with resilience acting as a mitigating factor. Specific stressors, including documentation workload and usability issues, were countered by individual and organisational resilience. The study introduces a novel conceptual model emphasising the pivotal role of resilience at both levels in mitigating EHR-related burnout. Recommendations include fostering resilience-building strategies in EHR implementation processes and usability to prevent burnout, emphasising self-care practices, promoting work-life balance, and improving health information infrastructure.

Electronic Health Record Stress and Burnout Among Clinicians in Hospital Settings: A Systematic Review.

Background: There is growing evidence to suggest that EHRs may be associated with clinician stress and burnout, which could hamper their effective use and introduce risks to patient safety. Objective: This systematic review aimed to examine the association between EHR use and clinicians' stress and burnout in hospital settings, and to identify the contributing factors influencing this relationship. Methods: The search included peer-reviewed published studies between 2000 and 2023 in English in CINAHL, Ovid Medline, Embase, and PsychINFO. Studies that provided specific data regarding clinicians' stress and/or burnout related to EHRs in hospitals were included. A quality assessment of included studies was conducted. Results: Twenty-nine studies were included (25 cross-sectional surveys, one qualitative study, and three mixed methods), which focused on physicians (n = 18), nurses (n = 10) and mixed professions (n = 3). Usability issues and the amount of time spent on the EHR were the most significant predictors, but intensity of the working environment influenced high EHR-related workload and thereby also contributed to stress and burnout. The differences in clinicians' specialties influenced the levels of stress and burnout related to EHRs. Conclusions: This systematic review showed that EHR use was a perceived contributor to clinicians' stress and burnout in hospitals, primarily driven by poor usability and excessive time spent on EHRs. Addressing these issues requires tailored EHR systems, rigorous usability testing, support for the needs of different specialities, qualitative research on EHR stressors, and expanded research in Non-Western contexts.