With COVID comes a digital rush, and a need to ease rising provider burnout

Why This Topic Matters

The piece highlights a practical tension in modern care delivery: more convenient digital contact can improve access for patients but also contribute to provider stress and workflow strain. It matters for organizations evaluating telehealth, portal messaging, security, staff training, and policies for managing virtual interactions.

Article Sections

1. A new challenge: Round-the-clock access

   Introduces the increase in patient communication through digital channels and the resulting impact on provider workload. The section frames the broader operational challenge created by expanded virtual access.

2. Reports of ‘high emotional exhaustion’

   Summarizes research and commentary linking heavy electronic communication and EHR use with clinician stress and burnout. The section also discusses how pandemic-era information flow has intensified those concerns.

3. Consider your patients

   Focuses on patient-facing challenges and opportunities in virtual communication, including usability, education, privacy, and security. It addresses how different patient populations may experience digital care.

4. Down the road

   Looks ahead to evolving digital health infrastructure and integration of communication tools within clinical systems. The section discusses future-facing technology themes and interoperability.

5. 4 tips to help

   Presents practical practice-management themes for handling digital communication and maintaining professional standards. The section covers policy, portal use, communication style, and technology-enabled workflow support.

6. Make a policy

   Addresses the need for a formal digital communications policy and related compliance considerations. It references the need to account for telehealth, privacy, and jurisdiction-specific requirements.

7. Use the portal

   Discusses routing patient-provider communication through a portal as an operational approach. The section emphasizes workflow organization and practice coordination.

8. Check your affect

   Focuses on communication tone, professionalism, and perceived empathy in digital interactions. It highlights the importance of provider training in virtual communication style.

9. Use tech to make life easier

   Describes examples of using digital tools to support patient education and remote review of information. The section centers on technology use to improve understanding and convenience.