Easing physician burnout: how remote support is reducing administrative overload

© freshidea - stock.adobe.com

Physicians are spending more time on administrative duties, often at the expense of patient care. The pressure of managing scheduling, patient follow-ups, and documentation often leads to longer working hours, stress, and decreased job satisfaction. A 2023 study by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) revealed that 12.7% of doctors cite administrative duties as one of their most significant stressors, pulling them away from patient care.

According to the 2023 Medscape Physician Compensation Report, physicians spend an average of 15.5 hours per week on paperwork and administration. These responsibilities range from managing electronic health records (EHRs) to handling billing and insurance verifications, all of which can add up quickly and detract from the time spent with patients. As healthcare systems grow in complexity and patient numbers rise, this imbalance is placing immense strain on physicians, affecting both the quality of care and their well-being.

To ease this burden, many practices are turning to remote talent, getting help with administrative tasks from remote skilled professionals. By taking on responsibilities such as scheduling, patient communications, insurance verification, and compliance documentation, remote team members allow physicians to focus on their clinical duties. With seamless technology enabling collaboration between in-office and remote teams, administrative workflows can be managed efficiently, ensuring continuity of care.

Real-world impact: DHR Health’s experience with remote support

DHR Health, a large US healthcare provider with 133 locations, 700 physicians and 1,200 nurses serving 1.4 million patients annually, faced significant challenges with high administrative workloads that were impacting physicians. The growing patient population and a limited regional talent pool made it difficult to maintain a sustainable administrative staffing model. Staff turnover rates were increasing, and the time to hire for administrative roles was dragging on, further exacerbating the strain on physicians.

By bringing in remote support through Edge, DHR Health alleviated pressure on the in-house team. Within a year, Edge placed 75 skilled professionals across 13 departments, reducing time-to-hire from 49 days to just 15, eliminating over four years’ worth of staffing gaps. As a result, DHR Health saw a significant reduction in the administrative burden placed on physicians. This shift improved workflow efficiency and contributed to a 97% talent retention rate, well above the industry average of 80%. The resulting operational stability enabled doctors to spend more time with patients, enhancing patient care and satisfaction while reducing burnout.

The success of this partnership highlights how remote support can help large healthcare systems like DHR Health maintain efficient operations while protecting their physicians' health and work-life balance.

The integration of remote talent has not only improved operational efficiency but has also enhanced the quality of care that patients receive. With fewer distractions and less time spent on non-clinical tasks, physicians can devote more attention to their patients. This leads to better clinical outcomes and a more personalized experience for patients.

Many practices that have invested in remote employees say it has reduced administrative stress for physicians, allowing them to focus more on their patients. The result is an overall improvement in the patient experience, with more consultation time, better follow-up care, and greater patient satisfaction. Remote talent is also helping practices to be more adaptable. By providing a scalable talent model, remote talent can step in during peak times or cover staffing gaps. This flexibility helps reduce physician burnout while allowing practices to meet patient demand more effectively without overburdening staff.

The use of technology to facilitate remote support is transforming how healthcare practices operate. Remote talent helps reduce the strain on physicians, which in turn improves the work environment, patient care, and overall practice efficiency. By embracing this shift, practices can create a healthier, more sustainable workforce, ensuring that physicians can continue providing the best possible care to their patients without compromising their health or job satisfaction.

Iffi Wahla is CEO and co-founder of Edge