Relationships of multitasking, physicians' strain, and performance: an observational study in ward physicians

Area of Science:

• Medical practice and hospital management
• Human factors in healthcare
• Occupational health and safety

Background:

• Simultaneous task performance, or multitasking, is prevalent in hospital physicians' daily work.
• Multitasking is frequently linked to increased occupational strain and diminished performance outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of multitasking on hospital physicians' self-reported strain and performance.
• To quantify the association between multitasking frequency and its effects on physician well-being and work output.

Main Methods:

• A prospective observational study was conducted in a community hospital setting.
• Twenty-seven physicians across surgical and internal specialties were observed during 40 full shifts.
• Physicians self-reported strain and performance levels twice during each observation period.

Main Results:

• Physicians spent approximately 21% of their working time engaged in multitasking activities.
• A significant positive correlation was found between time spent multitasking and subsequent self-reported strain (r = 0.27, P = 0.018).
• The frequency of multitasking showed a marginally significant correlation with self-monitored performance (r = 0.19, P = 0.098).

Conclusions:

• Hospital physicians engaging in multitasking report higher performance but experience increased psychophysical strain.
• Physicians may not recognize their multitasking as a cause of performance deficits, such as medical errors.
• Recommendations include workload readjustment, improved work organization, and training in prioritization and task management to mitigate negative impacts.