Estimated reading time: 2-3 minutes
Summary:
Physicians increasingly spend much of their work and personal lives in front of screens, and excessive screen exposure may contribute to sleep disruption, physical inactivity, musculoskeletal problems, visual fatigue, mental health concerns, and burnout.
Research suggests that compulsive smartphone use and problematic internet use are associated with higher levels of burnout, with factors such as work–family conflict and loneliness potentially contributing to this relationship.
Importantly, emerging intervention research shows that reducing work-related screen time during personal time can lower stress among healthcare professionals, particularly when combined with strategies such as disabling work notifications and removing work apps from personal devices.
Establishing healthy digital boundaries and intentionally disconnecting from work may therefore be a practical strategy for protecting well-being, reducing stress, and building resilience against burnout.
Screen Time
Modern medicine is increasingly practiced through a screen. Physicians spend substantial portions of their day interacting with electronic health records (EHRs), reviewing imaging studies, communicating through patient portals, responding to inbox messages, attending virtual meetings, and completing documentation. Outside of work, smartphones, tablets, televisions, and social media often consume additional hours.
While digital technology has improved efficiency, communication, and access to information, excessive screen time has introduced unintended consequences for physician health and well-being. Emerging evidence links prolonged screen exposure to sleep disturbances, physical inactivity, musculoskeletal disorders, visual fatigue, impaired mental health, and increased burnout risk.
For many physicians, screen time now exceeds direct patient interaction. Understanding its effects is essential for protecting personal health, preserving cognitive performance, and preventing burnout.
Studies evaluating effect of Smartphone Use on Burnout:
Compulsive Smartphone Use & Burnout
In this cross-sectional study involving 228 Portuguese workers, researchers found that higher levels of compulsive smartphone use were significantly associated with increased self-reported burnout. Furthermore, this relationship was partially mediated by negative work–family interactions and feelings of loneliness, suggesting that excessive smartphone use may contribute to burnout both directly and indirectly through its impact on personal relationships and social well-being.
The authors emphasized the importance of promoting mindful smartphone use among individuals. They also highlighted the need for employers to implement strategies that identify, prevent, and address the risk factors associated with workplace burnout.
Gonçalves SP, Santos JVD. Smartphone Use Side-by-Side with Burnout: Mediation of Work-Family Interaction and Loneliness. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022 May 30;19(11):6692.
Meta-analysis: The association between problematic internet use and burnout:
In this meta-analysis involving a total of 42 studies with 54,121 participants, a positive, moderate, and significant association between problematic internet use and burnout was identified.
Mao P, Cai Z, Chen B, Sun X. The association between problematic internet use and burnout: A three-level meta-analysis. J Affect Disord. 2024 May 1;352:321-332.
Evidence for Intervention:
REDUCE SCREEN - A Randomized Controlled Trial
In a pragmatic randomized controlled trial conducted between 2021 and 2023, researchers evaluated whether reducing work-related screen time during a weekend off could decrease stress among healthcare workers. Participants were assigned either to a control group or to a three-component educational intervention that encouraged them to activate automatic email responses, reduce overall screen time, and remove work-related applications from their personal devices during their time off.
Among the 815 participants enrolled, those who received the intervention experienced significantly greater reductions in perceived stress than the control group. They also reported lower smartphone screen time, with the reduction in stress largely mediated by spending less time on their devices. The study demonstrates that a simple intervention aimed at creating healthier digital boundaries can substantially reduce stress among healthcare professionals, highlighting the importance of disconnecting from work during personal time to support long-term well-being and resilience.
Bartels K, Shah K, Sanchez Rodriguez E, Hoffman JT, Rolfzen ML, Mora Valdovinos J, Hassett AL, Sessler DI. Reducing Work-Related Screen-Time in Healthcare Workers During Leisure Time (REDUCE SCREEN) - A Randomized Controlled Trial. J Med Syst. 2026 Jan 17;50(1):11. doi: 10.1007/s10916-026-02338-9. PMID: 41545795; PMCID: PMC12811315.