
pmid: 32740334
ABSTRACT Background: Studies demonstrate significant electronic health record (EHR) use by junior residents; however, few studies have investigated this for nurse practitioners and physician assistants (NPs/PAs). Purpose: The aim of this study was to quantify the time spent on the EHR by NPs/PAs and junior residents. Methods: Electronic health record usage data were collected from April 2015 through April 2016. Monthly EHR usage was compared between NPs/PAs and postgraduate second and third year residents. Further subgroup analysis of NPs/PAs and residents from surgical or nonsurgical fields was conducted. Results: Data for 22 NPs/PAs (16 surgical and six nonsurgical) and 125 residents (31 surgical and 94 nonsurgical) were analyzed. Nurse practitioners/physician assistants opened fewer charts per day (4.9 ± 1.5 vs. 5.4 ± 3.1), placed more orders per month, and spent more daily time on the EHR (176.5 ± 51.7 minutes vs. 152.3 ± 71.9 minutes; p < .0001). Compared with residents, NPs/PAs spent more time per patient in all categories (chart review, documentation, order entry) and in total time per patient chart (all p < .05). Comparing surgical NPs/PAs to surgical residents, findings were similar with fewer charts per day, more total daily EHR time, and more EHR time per patient in every tracked category (all p < .05). Implications for practice: This is the first study to quantify time on the EHR for NPs/PAs. Nurse practitioners/physician assistants spent more time on the EHR than residents, and this is accentuated with surgical NPs/PAs. Electronic health record utilization appears more burdensome for NPs/PAs; however, the reason for this is unclear and highlights the need for targeted interventions.
Physician Assistants, Electronic Health Records, Humans, Nurse Practitioners, Documentation
Physician Assistants, Electronic Health Records, Humans, Nurse Practitioners, Documentation
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