'Tech-related stress' | NHS digital transformation was meant to ease pressure on staff - it may be doing the opposite

Stress from the introduction of digital technologies across the NHS is “significantly” associated with emotional exhaustion among nurses, as well as the risk of burnout, a new study has concluded.

Published by the Society of Occupational Medicine (SOM), the report warns that poor training, rushed implementation and lack of support are often at fault, resulting in increased workload, despite the benefits such technologies can also bring.

The research offers timely insight for the Government and the NHS as they continue to advance their digital transformation agenda. 

As part of the findings, the SOM says Health Secretary Wes Streeting needs to pursue his digital transformation strategy for the NHS with great care, because without proper support and training, research suggests this could lead to increased burnout and emotional exhaustion among already hard-pressed nurses.