Electronic Health Record Adoption and Its Effects on Healthcare Staff: A Qualitative Study of Well-Being and Workplace Stress

Maria Provenzano, Nicola Cillara, Felice Curcio (), Maria Orsola Pisu, Cesar Iván Avilés González and Maria Francisca Jiménez-Herrera
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Maria Provenzano: Campus Catalunya, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, 43002 Tarragona, Spain
Nicola Cillara: Department of Surgery, Ospedale Santissima Trinità, 09121 Cagliari, Italy
Felice Curcio: Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Sassari (UNISS), 07100 Sassari, Italy
Maria Orsola Pisu: Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria, 50134 Cagliari, Italy
Cesar Iván Avilés González: Department of Nursing, Universidad Popular del Cesar, Valledupar 200002, Colombia
Maria Francisca Jiménez-Herrera: Nursing Department, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, 43007 Tarragona, Spain

IJERPH, 2024, vol. 21, issue 11, 1-14

Abstract: Adopting electronic health records (EHRs) offers improved communication and information sharing and reduces medical staff errors. Despite these potential benefits, EHR adoption often introduces new challenges for healthcare staff, including increased administrative burdens and workplace stress. This study examines the impact of EHR systems on the well-being and workplace stress of healthcare staff in a hospital setting. Using a qualitative multi-perspective research approach, 16 guideline-based interviews were conducted to explore experiences, insight, and perceptions surrounding the anticipated introduction of EHRs. Data analysis reveals a complex interplay between the perceived advantages of EHRs, such as improved data accessibility and patient safety, and the challenges related to increased workload. Based on interviewers’ perceptions, emerging themes were categorized as technostress creators or inhibitors. The findings highlight a dual impact of EHRs: while participants acknowledged improvements in patient safety and information access, they also expressed concerns about increased workload, technostress, and potential disruptions to team dynamics. This study identified two major themes: “EHR Adoption as a Double-Edged Sword” and “EHRs’ Influence on Professional Dynamics”. These findings underscore the need for organizational readiness and staff support to mitigate the negative impacts of EHRs on healthcare workers’ well-being and job satisfaction.

Keywords: digital patient records; healthcare workers; workplace stress; technostress (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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