Physicians Struggle to Unplug During PTO, Fueling Burnout Crisis

A recent study in JAMA Network Open has found that many physicians, especially in primary care, struggle to fully disconnect from work during their paid time off (PTO), with a median of 16.1 minutes spent on electronic health record (EHR) tasks daily. Nearly 40% of physicians check their EHRs while on vacation, contributing to burnout and dissatisfaction due to concerns over clinical coverage and the volume of EHR messages. As a response, some healthcare organizations, like Baptist Health Medical Group, are piloting initiatives to manage EHR responsibilities for physicians on PTO, highlighting a need for strategies that alleviate administrative burdens and help physicians recharge effectively.

Opens on AMA