The messaging feature of electronic health records requires constant monitoring so that urgent messages do not get missed. This constant monitoring is a known contributor to primary care physician burnout. To address this, a group created a system to manage high-priority in-basket messages. All physicians in the group shared inbox access and shared the workload on a rotating schedule, and all reported reduced feelings of burnout.
The messaging feature of electronic health records requires constant monitoring so that urgent messages do not get missed. This constant monitoring is a known contributor to primary care physician burnout. To address this, a group created a system to manage high-priority in-basket messages. All physicians in the group shared inbox access and shared the workload on a rotating schedule, and all reported reduced feelings of burnout.
Team-Based Management of High-Priority In-Basket Messages
John Holkeboer, BA, et al
University of Michigan, Department of Family Medicine
Ann Arbor, Michigan
PRE-EMBARGO LINK (Link expires at 5 p.m. EDT May 28th, 2024)
Journal
The Annals of Family Medicine
Article Title
Team-Based Management of High-Priority Messages Shown to Reduce Feelings of Burnout Among Physicians
Article Publication Date
28-May-2024
Cite Scienmag News
Ophelia Keating. (May 28, 2024). Team-based management of high-priority messages shown to reduce feelings of burnout among physicians. Scienmag. https://scienmag.com/team-based-management-of-high-priority-messages-shown-to-reduce-feelings-of-burnout-among-physicians/
Ophelia Keating. "Team-based management of high-priority messages shown to reduce feelings of burnout among physicians." Scienmag, 28 May 2024, https://scienmag.com/team-based-management-of-high-priority-messages-shown-to-reduce-feelings-of-burnout-among-physicians/. Accessed 9 September 2026.
Ophelia Keating. "Team-based management of high-priority messages shown to reduce feelings of burnout among physicians." Scienmag. May 28, 2024. https://scienmag.com/team-based-management-of-high-priority-messages-shown-to-reduce-feelings-of-burnout-among-physicians/

