Documentation Time Commitment:
A survey conducted among 93 health-service psychologists in the United States revealed that they devoted a substantial amount of time to non-billable clinical activities, such as phone calls, chart updates, and progress notes. The median time spent on these tasks was approximately 5 hours per week, with an average of around 7 hours per week. Notably, over half (51.6%) of the psychologists identified these administrative tasks, including record-keeping, as significant sources of work-related stress.
Consequences for Wellbeing and Burnout:
The same study found alarmingly high levels of burnout among the respondents. Only a small minority (8%) reported no symptoms of burnout, while nearly one-fifth (18%) were experiencing burnout, and 3% were completely burnt out. A significant proportion (over 59%) reported occasional stress, with 21% exhibiting clear signs of burnout. The researchers observed a strong association between the intensity of workload, driven in part by documentation tasks, and the severity of burnout symptoms. This finding is consistent with patterns observed in other healthcare professions, where excessive paperwork has been linked to increased stress and burnout among professionals.
