The influence of computer technologies used on the performance indicators and the risk of professional burnout of therapeutic doctors
Authors: Kaminer Dmitry D. , Milushkina Olga Yu. , Bokareva Natalia A. , Korolik Viktor V. , Bulatseva Madina B. , Bazhenov Pavel A. 
Published: November 2024

The article tells that, to date, the impact of excessive use of computer technology (CT) on the performance of internists and the occurrence of professional burnout syndrome (PBS) has not been sufficiently studied. The authors present the results of their own research on these issues.
The study aims to identify the main indicators of changes in the parameters of mental performance and to assess the risks of professional burnout among therapeutic specialists who actively use information technology.
The researchers formed the main sample: 140 specialist doctors (94 women and 46 men) aged 27 to 75 years (average age 46.16±10.67 years)), and divided into two subgroups:
the first included 65 respondents (45 women and 20 men) aged 27–75 (average age 44.6±9.8 years) who actively use information and communication technologies in work practice and daily life for less than 6 hours a day, the second subgroup included 75 respondents (49 women and 26 men) 28–73 years old (average age 44.8±9.3 years), actively using information and communication technologies in their work practice and daily life for more than 6 hours a day. To assess mental performance during the working day and week, as well as to study preclinical symptoms of overwork, the authors used: the questionnaire "Degree of chronic fatigue" (A.B. Leonova and I.V. Shishkina; modification — 2003), the method of finding numbers in the Platonov table, a proof-reading test (Bourdon test). The authors also used a visual analyzer with a table (Landolt rings) as a test for assessing throughput. The authors used the following data to assess the risks of emotional burnout: the scale for diagnosing emotional burnout of a person according to V.V. Boyko, the questionnaire for determining the level of mental burnout Maslach (MBI) in the Russian adaptation for medical workers from 2007 at the Bekhterev NIPNI.
When analyzing the risks of professional burnout using the MBI questionnaire, the level of emotional exhaustion among respondents using information technology for more than 6 hours a day (43.01±8.7 points) was significantly higher compared to doctors using information technology for less than 6 hours a day (34.5±9.0 points) (Mann–Whitney U test: U=1149, p<0.00001). Indicators of the risk of emotional burnout of a person on the V.V. Boyko scale among internists using information technology for more than 6 hours a day is significantly higher in all three phases: tension, resistance and exhaustion (76,2±15,0; 72,4±14,3; 84,6±15,5 points, respectively) (Mann–Whitney U test: U=1013, p<0.00001;
Mann–Whitney U test: U=1302.5, p<0.00001; Mann–Whitney U test: U=1175.5, p<0.00001). The fatigue rates of internists using information technology for more than 6 hours a day are significantly higher compared to the subgroup using CT for less than 6 hours a day (Mann–Whitney U test: U=1618.5, p=0.00062).
The vast majority of internists working in hospitals use modern information technologies in their clinical practice, which significantly increases the effectiveness of medical care. Aspects of the influence of computed tomography on the performance of doctors and on the risk of developing professional burnout syndrome (PBS) and psychoemotional disorders (anxiety and depression) have not been fully studied. The study demonstrates the presence of a certain influence of excessive use of digital technologies and electronic devices during the day on the risks of emotional exhaustion and faster development of signs of overwork in therapists. The results of the study can be used to develop and implement measures to prevent the development of signs of overwork and the safe use of information technology in work practice, which to a certain extent reduces the risks of developing professional burnout syndrome, psychoemotional and somatic disorders associated with the inadequate use of modern digital technologies.
Limitations. The influence and presence of mild forms of emotional and affective disorders in respondents were not taken into account; the limited sample size associated with the highly specialized focus of the study, it is advisable to increase the sample in the future; the subjectivity of questionnaire research methods, difficulties in assessing the "true" use of information and communication technologies.
Ethics. The research was carried out in accordance with the Ethical standards approved by the Helsinki Declaration (1964) and its later additions, or similar Ethical standards. All respondents were familiarized with the goals and objectives of the study, as well as with all possible risks and inconveniences. Participation in the study was voluntary for all respondents, everyone had the right to leave the study at any stage if desired. All personal information provided by the respondents was not disclosed, and all data was depersonalized. All study participants gave their personal written consent to participate in the study.