The Dark Side of Patient Portals: A Fatal Consequence

A physician shares their experience of burnout caused by the overwhelming number of patient messages received through a patient portal. They discuss the challenges of managing these messages and the impact it had on their well-being. The physician explores various strategies to reduce inbox burden but highlights the limitations of some suggestions. Ultimately, they decide to reach out to their patients, setting guidelines for portal use and requesting their understanding and support. The response from patients is overwhelmingly positive, leading to fewer portal messages and improved well-being for the physician. They emphasize the importance of maintaining a strong patient-physician relationship and using technology judiciously to avoid personal strain and disconnection.