Six hours too many
Answers in Practice
By Faiza Wasif, MPH, Associate Director, Practice Management, February 1, 2026
Each month, DermWorld tackles issues “in practice” for dermatologists. This month, practice management staff discuss EHR documentation, burnout, and the tools to reclaim your time.
Six extra hours of electronic health record (EHR) documentation a week. That is what the average dermatologist is facing, according to AAD data from 2019 to 2022, and this is just part of the administrative burden weighing down practices. These findings highlight the top sources of administrative workload for dermatologists: EHR documentation, Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) program compliance, and prior authorizations. While the AAD offers resources to help practices address all these challenges, this article focuses on EHR documentation, the one burden practices can influence directly — unlike MIPS or prior authorizations, which are largely dictated by external regulations. Understanding this burden is essential to identifying strategies that reduce workload and reclaim time for patient care.
EHRs promised efficiency and streamlined care, but in daily practice, many dermatologists find they add extra steps, stress, and strain. Physicians juggle documenting thoroughly for compliance, billing, and patient care, all while trying to maintain meaningful time with patients. Persistent alert fatigue, excessive clicks, and limited interoperability further exacerbate the burden. The AAD offers resources that provide practical solutions to help minimize these administrative pressures and make EHRs work more effectively for your practice.
AAD EHR efficiency tools
Learn how to make EHRs work more effectively for your practice.
Optimizing clinical notes and EHR workflows
Reducing EHR documentation burden goes beyond spending less time at the computer. It is about using your system efficiently and integrating workflows that support both patient care and staff productivity. The AAD provides guidance to help dermatologists optimize their EHR experience, including:
Build an experienced team: Assign staff to oversee accurate documentation, maintain guidelines, and manage system updates to ensure everyone uses the EHR efficiently and within their scope of practice.
Train staff on the EHR system: Hands-on training helps identify workflow gaps, improves productivity, and supports better patient care.
Leverage templates and EHR features: Pre-populated notes, problem lists, and condition-specific templates standardize documentation, speed up charting, and reduce errors and information overload.
Use technology support: AI, voice recognition, and scribes help minimize data entry and alert fatigue, letting physicians focus on patients.
Stay current with coding and regulatory requirements: Familiarity with evaluation and management (E/M) codes and CMS documentation rules streamlines charting and prevents compliance issues.
Engage patients via portals: Patient portals improve workflow, enhance secure communication, and reduce administrative follow-up.
Implementing these strategies can significantly reduce administrative burdens while supporting a more efficient, patient-focused practice. AAD resources provide further tips, templates, and guidance to help dermatologists maximize their EHR systems.
EHR documentation and burnout
The time and effort required for EHR documentation do not just affect efficiency. They can contribute directly to physician burnout. Hours spent managing alerts, clicks, and documentation requirements can lead to emotional exhaustion, frustration, and reduced time for meaningful patient care.
AAD recognizes the link between administrative burden and well-being. In addition to resources that streamline EHR workflows, the Practice Management Center offers guidance on managing stress, fostering wellness, and creating supportive practice environments. By focusing on what is within their control, such as documentation workflows, dermatologists can reduce burnout risk, reclaim time for patient interactions, and strengthen both professional satisfaction and patient care.
Bringing it all together
EHR documentation is a significant, modifiable source of administrative burden that affects both efficiency and physician well-being. By optimizing workflows, leveraging staff and technology, and applying practical strategies offered by the AAD, dermatologists can reclaim hours each week, reduce stress, and refocus on what matters most: patient care. Addressing EHR burden is not just about saving time. It is about creating a sustainable, satisfying, and balanced professional life.
For additional guidance and tools to reduce administrative burdens, optimize your practice, and support physician well-being, visit the AAD Practice Management Center for resources tailored to dermatologists’ needs.
AAD Career Launch
Check out the Academy’s new guide to success for early-career dermatologists.
Additional DermWorld Resources
In this issue
The American Academy of Dermatology is a non-profit professional organization and does not endorse companies or products. Advertising helps support our mission.
Opportunities
