Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 4, 2026
06:28
E-Patient Counseling Trial E-PACO: Computer Based Education versus Nurse Counseling for Patients to Prepare for Colonoscopy
Published on: August 1, 2019
8.7K
Usability Factors Associated With Physicians' Distress and Information System-Related Stress: Cross-Sectional Survey
Tarja Heponiemi1, Sari Kujala2, Suvi Vainiomäki3
1National Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland.
JMIR Medical Informatics
|November 6, 2019
Summary
Physician stress from information systems is linked to technical issues and system complexity. Improving system usability and user skills can enhance physician well-being and reduce work-related distress.
Area of Science:
- Health Informatics
- Medical Information Systems
- Physician Well-being
Background:
- Information systems in healthcare present significant challenges for physicians, causing stress due to usability issues, system failures, and poor data integration.
- These challenges negatively impact physicians' ability to document and retrieve patient data, contributing to rising stress levels and potential effects on overall well-being.
- The increasing reliance on technology in medicine exacerbates the impact of these system-related stressors on healthcare professionals.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between information system usability (perceived benefits, technical problems, feedback support, user-friendliness) and physician distress.
- To examine how the number of systems used, user experience, and participation in system development correlate with stress related to information systems (SRIS) and psychological distress.
- To identify key factors in information systems that influence physicians' mental health and work-related stress.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional survey was administered to 4018 Finnish physicians in 2017.
- Data were analyzed using analyses of covariance, adjusting for demographic and professional variables, to assess associations with SRIS and distress (General Health Questionnaire).
- Independent variables included usability metrics, number of systems in daily use, and user experience.
Main Results:
- High technical problems and a greater number of daily systems correlated with increased SRIS.
- Greater user-friendliness, perceived benefits, and feedback support were associated with lower SRIS.
- Technical problems increased psychological distress, while user-friendliness decreased it; experienced users reported lower SRIS and distress.
Conclusions:
- Investing in user-friendly, technically sound information systems with good feedback support is crucial for improving physician well-being.
- Enhancing physicians' skills through training can mitigate stress from poorly functioning systems and improve overall well-being.
- Addressing usability and technical quality of health information systems is essential for supporting physician mental health.
Related Concept Videos
01:30Stress and Mental Health
446
Chronic stress profoundly affects mental health, significantly influencing mood, behavior, and overall quality of life. Research closely links chronic stress with mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, and substance use disorders. Ongoing exposure to stress can lead to physiological and psychological changes, initiating a cycle of emotional distress and maladaptive coping mechanisms.
Individuals with depression often experience challenges in both their personal and professional...
Individuals with depression often experience challenges in both their personal and professional...
446
01:27Psychoneuroimmunology: Cardiovascular Disease
352
Psychoneuroimmunology (PNI) is a multidisciplinary field that examines how psychological factors, particularly stress, interact with the immune system and impact physical health. Research in PNI has shown that chronic or traumatic stress can disrupt both the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and the sympathetic nervous system. These disruptions contribute to serious health conditions, including cardiovascular diseases.
A key area of focus in PNI is the relationship between stress and coronary...
A key area of focus in PNI is the relationship between stress and coronary...
352
01:20Psychological Responses to Stress
448
Psychological responses to stress encompass the various cognitive and emotional reactions individuals experience when faced with challenging or threatening situations, such as a job loss. Prolonged exposure to stressors can disturb emotional balance, increasing negative emotions (e.g., anxiety and sadness) and diminishing positive emotions (e.g., joy and satisfaction). These persistent emotional shifts are associated with an increased risk of both physical illness and mental health issues, such...
448
01:23Assessment of the Cardiovascular System I: Subjective Data
728
A thorough health history and physical assessment are essential for identifying cardiovascular disease (CVD) symptoms and distinguishing them from other health issues.
Initial Enquiry
Ask the patient about their primary concern and thoroughly explore all reported symptoms.
Medical History
Investigate past illnesses affecting the cardiovascular system, such as angina, anemia, rheumatic fever, congenital heart disease, stroke, thrombophlebitis, dysrhythmias, varicosities
Inquire about symptoms...
Initial Enquiry
Ask the patient about their primary concern and thoroughly explore all reported symptoms.
Medical History
Investigate past illnesses affecting the cardiovascular system, such as angina, anemia, rheumatic fever, congenital heart disease, stroke, thrombophlebitis, dysrhythmias, varicosities
Inquire about symptoms...
728
01:30Health Information Technology and Healthcare Information System
3.2K
Health Information Technology (HIT)
Health Information Technology, commonly called HIT, integrates advanced information systems and technology in healthcare settings. Its primary functions include:
Health Information Technology, commonly called HIT, integrates advanced information systems and technology in healthcare settings. Its primary functions include:
3.2K
01:21Barriers to Effective Communication II
4.5K
The barriers to effective communication also include cultural barriers, semantic barriers, gender barriers, and time constraints.
Cultural barriers:
Differences in values, beliefs, religion, knowledge, and tradition can significantly impact communication. Awareness of nonverbal cues is critical, especially when conversing with a patient from a different culture. What appears appropriate in one culture may be inappropriate in another.
Semantic barriers:
As a result of their tendency to use...
Cultural barriers:
Differences in values, beliefs, religion, knowledge, and tradition can significantly impact communication. Awareness of nonverbal cues is critical, especially when conversing with a patient from a different culture. What appears appropriate in one culture may be inappropriate in another.
Semantic barriers:
As a result of their tendency to use...
4.5K