Improving EHR Training To Reduce Clinician Burnout

Clinician burnout continues to rise—and according to a December 2024 KLAS report, it’s fueling an “epidemic” of turnover across the healthcare industry. Over half of at-risk clinicians plan to leave their current organizations, with many citing burnout and EHR-related frustrations as key drivers. But there’s good news: Improving EHR training is one of the most effective, underutilized strategies to turn the tide. 

“Effective EHR training is not just about the technology; it’s about empowering clinicians to feel confident and competent in their workflows,” said Meg Johnson, Senior Managing Consultant at Tegria. 

For IT leaders at enterprise and midsize hospitals, this is a pivotal moment. By modernizing your EHR training programs, you can significantly improve clinician satisfaction, reduce burnout, and retain top talent, while making better use of your existing technology investments. 

The Link Between Burnout and EHR Training 

Burnout is rarely caused by a single factor, but EHR frustration looms large as one of the top contributors. In the KLAS survey, clinicians who planned to leave healthcare altogether reported significantly lower EHR satisfaction scores (Net EHR Experience Score) than those planning to stay. And nearly 60% of physicians and 40% of nurses who did leave their organizations said they wanted better EHR education. 

Yet many health systems still treat EHR training as a one-time event, focused on initial onboarding. Without ongoing, personalized support, clinicians are left to navigate updates, workflow changes, and documentation challenges on their own. The result: rising frustration, lower productivity, and increased risk of burnout. 

What Effective EHR Training Looks Like in 2025 

Based on insights from the KLAS report and Tegria’s client experience, high-performing organizations use the following best practices to improve the EHR experience and retain clinicians: 

• Tailored training by role and specialty: One-size-fits-all doesn’t work. Specialty-specific workflows require customized guidance. 

• Ongoing education, not just onboarding: Frequent refreshers and tips, especially after system updates, help clinicians stay efficient and confident. 

• Clinician-led training models: Superusers and peer mentors create a culture of support and engagement. 

• Embedded feedback loops: Use surveys and Net EHR Experience Scores (NEES) to identify pain points and adjust training strategies. 

• Technology to support learning: Platforms like Amplifire or in-EHR guidance tools can personalize the learning journey and reduce cognitive load. 

“By investing in comprehensive EHR education, organizations can significantly reduce burnout and improve overall clinician satisfaction,” Johnson said. “It’s a practical, measurable change that non-clinical teams, including IT and learning, can lead to impact the clinician experience.” 

The IT Leader’s Role in Retention and Wellness 

The KLAS report also highlights that reduced burnout and enhanced EHR education were the top two reasons at-risk clinicians changed their minds and decided to stay. That puts IT leaders in a powerful position to drive change—especially when paired with clinical and operational counterparts. 

As stewards of the technology experience, IT teams can: 

• Partner with clinical leaders to co-design training strategies 

• Monitor satisfaction and burnout indicators 

• Prioritize investments that improve usability and support autonomy 

• Pilot innovations like ambient speech tools, which KLAS notes are reducing burnout and documentation time in early-adopter systems 

A Small Shift With Big Impact 

Improving EHR training isn’t the most glamourous initiative—but it is one of the most effective. It addresses clinician burnout at the root, boosts retention, and ensures your EHR delivers on its promise of supporting better care. 

For hospitals navigating tight budgets, staffing shortages, and evolving technology, better training can’t be an afterthought—it’s a strategic necessity.