Long after the last patient has left, many healthcare professionals remain logged on, completing electronic health record (EHR) tasks in what is known as “pyjama time”. This after-hours work is increasingly linked to clinician burnout, strained relationships, and mental health issues.
A recent survey of 252 US healthcare professionals explored the scope and consequences of pyjama time. The findings by Software Finder reveal widespread overwork, emotional fatigue, and dissatisfaction with EHR systems.
Majority of clinicians burdened by pyjama time
The survey found that 85% of healthcare professionals engage in pyjama time, averaging 8.2 hours per week, or about 53 workdays each year. Outpatient clinic workers reported the highest after-hours EHR time at 9.1 hours weekly. Nurse practitioners and physician assistants were the most affected groups, with 93% participating.
Only 40% said they usually feel caught up on documentation during work hours. This figure dropped to 30% among NPs, PAs, and medical technicians but rose to 48% among registered nurses. The most time-consuming after-hours tasks were charting (56%), responding to patient messages (40%), and reviewing lab or imaging results (33%).
Nearly half of respondents admitted pyjama time made them feel guilt or resentment when it cut into family or rest time. One in five said it led to conflict with loved ones, and 21% reported increased feelings of depression. About 35% have considered leaving healthcare entirely due to EHR-related burnout.
Digital workload intensifying burnout and mental health strain
The emotional toll is striking. 61% of healthcare professionals said pyjama time affects their ability to relax, and 11% said it severely worsens burnout. One in three said their EHR work typically takes place between 6pm and 9pm, often replacing time for meals, rest, or family activities. Half have cancelled or delayed personal plans because of it, with physicians reporting the highest disruption at 76%.
A 2025 athenahealth survey found 64% of clinicians felt they spend too much time documenting after hours, with 46% reporting burnout at least weekly. The American Medical Association’s 2025 analysis similarly reported that 20.9% of physicians spend more than eight hours weekly on EHRs outside normal hours, showing no progress despite industry initiatives. A separate 2025 Healthcare IT News review found EHR complexity contributed to fatigue in 77% of clinicians.
These patterns align with Mayo Clinic research showing that inefficient EHR workflows increase frustration and turnover rates. Female clinicians and those in neurology or primary care are particularly vulnerable, as noted in athenahealth’s 2025 data.
Technology features can ease or worsen the strain
EHR system design is a decisive factor in how long clinicians stay online after hours. Respondents said features that help reduce pyjama time include templates and macros (44%), voice-to-text tools (31%), and team-based documentation workflows (27%). Conversely, systems with excessive clicks or fields (54%), slow performance (40%), or lack of automation (31%) worsen the problem.
In response, 31% of clinicians have searched online for hacks to improve EHR usability, with 59% of physicians doing so. Nearly a quarter have asked for changes to their organisation’s system, and 38% have considered requesting one. Yet only 24% felt their employers acknowledged the burden of pyjama time.
Emerging tools such as AI scribes may offer relief. According to a 2025 AMA report, more than 7,000 physicians using AI documentation tools saw significant reductions in pyjama time and better work-life balance. A Thieme study reported similar outcomes for paediatric subspecialists, who experienced less burnout without added charting demands. Still, a 2025 Frontiers review found that EHR usability issues remain a major contributor to burnout for up to 70% of clinicians.
A growing need for systemic change
The persistence of pyjama time shows that EHR-related workload is not a passing issue but a structural one. Its effects extend beyond exhaustion, affecting mental health and retention across the profession. Nearly one in five clinicians said they would accept lower pay if guaranteed freedom from after-hours EHR work, with younger generations most likely to agree.
Addressing this challenge requires healthcare organisations to improve EHR systems, optimise workflows, and recognise the psychological cost of digital overwork. Without reform, pyjama time will continue to erode the well-being of those responsible for patient care.