A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal
Better Usability and Technical Stability Could Lead to Better Work-Related Well-Being among Physicians
Authors: Suvi Vainiomäki, Anna-Mari Aalto, Tinja Lääveri, Timo Sinervo, Marko Elovainio, Pekka Mäntyselkä, Hannele Hypponen
Publisher: SCHATTAUER GMBH-VERLAG MEDIZIN NATURWISSENSCHAFTEN
Publication year: 2017
Journal: Applied Clinical Informatics
Journal name in source: APPLIED CLINICAL INFORMATICS
Journal acronym: APPL CLIN INFORM
Volume: 8
Issue: 4
First page : 1057
Last page: 1067
Number of pages: 11
ISSN: 1869-0327
DOI: https://doi.org/10.4338/ACI-2017-06-RA-0094
Self-archived copy’s web address: https://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/29392014
Background and Objective Finnish physicians have been increasingly dissatisfied with poor usability of the electronic patient record (EPR) systems, which they have identified as an overload factor in their work. Our aim is to specify which factors in EPRs are associated with work-related well-being of physicians.Methods A web-based questionnaire was sent to Finnish physicians younger than 65 years; the responses (n = 3,781) represent one-fourth of these. This was a repetition of a survey in 2010, where this questionnaire was used for the first time. In addition to statements assessing usability, there were questions measuring time pressure and job control. The relation between usability and work well-being was investigated with hierarchical multivariate regression analyses: With time pressure and job control as dependent variables, EPR usability assessments and physicians' background information were used as independent variables.Results In the multivariate analyses, technical problems that are often experienced in the EPR were related to higher time pressure and lower job control. Active participation in the development of the EPR system was related to stronger time pressure and stronger job control. In addition, use of several systems daily and the experience of time-consuming documentation of patient information for statistical purposes (billing, national registries, and reporting) were related to higher time pressure, while those with longer experience with the EPR system and those experiencing easy-to-read nursing records reported higher job control.Conclusion To relieve time pressure and increase sense of job control experienced by physicians, usability, integrations, and stability of the EPR systems should be improved: fewer login procedures, easier readability of nursing records, and decreased need for separate documentation for statistical purposes. Physician participation in the EPR development would increase the feeling of job control, but would add the time pressure. Hence, time for developmental work should be arranged.
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