DIGITAL ADMINISTRATIVE BURDEN AS A STRUCTURAL CONTRIBUTOR TO PHYSICIAN BURNOUT: A NARRATIVE LITERATURE REVIEW

Abstract

Objective: Physician burnout has emerged as a critical global challenge with far-reaching consequences for healthcare systems, including reduced quality of care, increased medical errors, and workforce attrition. Traditionally conceptualized as a consequence of individual vulnerability and workload intensity, burnout is increasingly recognized as a structurally embedded phenomenon shaped by organizational and technological factors. This study examines digital administrative burden as an underrecognized system-level contributor to physician burnout. Methods: A narrative literature review was conducted using PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar, focusing on peer-reviewed publications from 2016 to 2025. The review synthesizes empirical and conceptual research examining the relationship between digital health technologies and physician burnout. Results: The findings indicate that electronic health records (EHRs), digital communication platforms, and telemedicine systems significantly increase administrative workload and cognitive demands. Digital administrative burden—defined as workload generated through interaction with digital systems, including documentation, inbox management, alert processing, and system navigation—was consistently associated with emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and reduced professional fulfillment. These effects are mediated by cognitive overload, workflow fragmentation, and role transformation. Conclusions: The study concludes that physician burnout should be understood as a structural consequence of healthcare system design. Addressing digital administrative burden requires systemic interventions, including human-centered technology design, workflow optimization, and policy reforms aimed at reducing unnecessary administrative demands.

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