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Getting the latest healthcare news for you
Getting the latest healthcare news for you
Three-quarters of family physicians are buried in administrative tasks — and it's not just a 9-to-5 problem. A new study found that 77% of family physicians face at least one substantial administrative burden, with 15% juggling a "triple burden" of heavy documentation, prior authorizations, and after-hours work. Staff support and smarter EHR tools can help, but systemic fixes are still needed.
Family physicians are spending far too much time on paperwork — and a new study puts hard numbers to the problem. Analyzing responses from over 8,400 family physicians, researchers found that 77% faced at least one substantial administrative burden, from tracking external health information to managing prior authorizations and late-night documentation. A notable 15% experienced a "triple burden," defined as heavy effort on two tasks plus at least three evening hours spent documenting care.
The good news? Some relief is within reach. Physicians who had strong staff support for obtaining external health information were significantly less likely to struggle with information tracking. Those using EHR templates and staff assistance were also less likely to spend substantial time on after-hours documentation. However, using electronic records for prior authorizations didn't meaningfully reduce that particular burden — suggesting the problem runs deeper than just going digital.
Key Takeaways:
Why it matters: Physician burnout is a growing crisis, and administrative overload is a leading driver. Targeted, systemic solutions — not just digital band-aids — are essential to keeping family physicians in practice and focused on patient care.
