Connecticut Medical Malpractice: Electronic Health Records Linked To Physician Burnout

Every employer has workplace culture: the way people feel about working there, the amount of stress employees are under, and much more. Healthcare is a profession, including physicians, where burnout and stress are commonplace among physicians and other clinicians. Burnout and stress can cause medical errors, which can be considered Connecticut medical malpractice depending on the circumstances.

New research has shown that physicians can experience burnout in as little as 22 minutes when working on electronic health records (EHR).  Excessive EHR screen time has been associated with medical errors. Fatigued physicians can make critical medical errors while caring for patients that can cause significant, permanent injury, including death. 

As with any illness, burnout occurs in stages. 

1. Honeymoon phase: you start a task and complete it with satisfaction and rigor. 
2. Onset of stress: anxiety, fatigue, lack of focus are some of the characteristics of this stage.
3. Chronic stress: anger, feeling pressure, missed targets.
4. Burnout: behavioral changes, escapist mentality, neglect of personal needs.
5. Habitual burnout: depression, mental fatigue, physical fatigue.

If you question the level of care you or a loved one received at a Connecticut healthcare facility, contact our firm. Our team of experienced attorneys will investigate a Connecticut medical malpractice case from all angles.