Application of Preventive Recommendations for the Safe Use of Information and Communication Technology Tools for Hospital Physicians

Introduction: The negative impact of excessive use and measures to prevent the adverse effects of information and communication technologies (ICT) on health, performance and risk of occupational burnout syndrome in general practitioners have not been sufficiently established so far. The article presents the results of our own study of effectiveness of recommendations for the safe use of ICT tools on the performance of general practitioners. Objective: To identify the main indicators of changes in performance parameters and to assess the risks of job burnout in therapists actively using information technology at work. Materials and methods: In August 2021 to August 2024, we surveyed 140 general practitioners (94 women and 46 men aged 27 to 75 years) working at hospitals of Moscow and the Moscow Region. Their performance and burnout risks were assessed using the Fatigue Severity Scale questionnaire, the scale of diagnostics of emotional burnout of personality by V.V. Boyko, and the Maslach Burnout Inventory. Preventive recommendations included organization of the workplace and work schedule at the computer, prevention of musculoskeletal disorders, and a safe use of gadgets. Results: The comparative analysis of the Maslach Burnout Inventory scores for general practitioners, before and 12 months after the implementation of recommendations for the safe use of ICT tools, demonstrated a significant decrease in the severity of signs of occupational burnout syndrome according to the Maslach emotional exhaustion scale and reduced sense of personal accomplishment (p < 0.05), a significant decrease in the severity of signs of professional burnout syndrome by all three phases (tension, resistance, and exhaustion) according to the Boyko scale (p < 0.05), and a significant decrease in the chronic fatigue index based on the Fatigue Severity Scale questionnaire responses (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Following recommendations for the safe use of information and communication technologies for hospital physicians significantly reduces the risk of burnout and signs of fatigue.