Busy HI Professionals Should Make Time for Themselves

Increasing government regulations. Insurance denials. Cyberattacks. Staffing shortages. Keeping up with the latest regarding the influence of artificial intelligence (AI).

Health information (HI) professionals face these stressors every day, which can take a toll on health and well-being.

“Having overseen numerous tech teams in various sizes and stages of companies, I understand how these factors can contribute to significant stress and burnout,” says Amy Spurling, founder and CEO of Compt, a Boston-based lifestyle and workstyle benefits platform.

Self-care is easy to overlook when you’re constantly dealing with high demands and tight deadlines. “However, setting aside time for activities that help you relax and recharge is crucial,” says Spurling.

A 2023 survey of AHIMA members flagged several factors that impact work experience. These include burnout, staff turnover, understaffing, slow implementation of regulatory requirements, privacy errors, and reimbursement issues. Twenty-eight percent of respondents noted employee burnout as the second most impactful driver of turnover, according to the survey, a joint project of AHIMA and NORC at the University of Chicago.

Rapid technological changes, especially in areas like AI and cybersecurity, require continuous learning and adaptation, which can be overwhelming, Spurling says. Regulatory compliance, such as adhering to Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) regulations and the constant threat to data privacy, “necessitates ongoing vigilance and robust security measures, further contributing to stress,” she adds.

Immediate responses to system failures or breaches can also disrupt work-life balance and heighten stress levels. “User support and managing expectations, particularly from those who may not understand the technology, can be challenging,” Spurling notes, with the additional performance pressures to keep systems running smoothly within budget constraints.

This challenging environment underscores the importance of time management and self-care, Spurling and other experts contend.

A good work-life balance as an HI professional integrates professional responsibilities with personal well-being, according to Patrick McClure, cofounder and CEO of WINIT Clinic, a medicine platform in Miami that offers personalized home health tests and coaching.

It starts by setting the limits between work and personal life, he says. “That means establishing set working hours but also adhering to them strictly. Keeping away from work e-mails and notifications during off-duty hours allows for mental separation from work and time for actual relaxation and personal activities,” he says.

Managing Your Time

Effective time management is a key factor in achieving balance between work and personal life, says McClure. Organize your tasks and prioritize what is most relevant to the completion of your goals to avoid work spillover into personal time.

Task management software or having a well-kept planner can aid in this process, he says.

Juggling manually among a dozen different technology tools consumes countless hours, drains energy, and causes frustration, says Conno Christou, CEO and co-founder of Keragon, an automation platform headquartered in San Francisco.

To simplify things, Christou suggests integrating different tools into a single workflow. “If your EHR, health information management, compliance software, calendar, and other tools securely talk to each other, you can cut out clutter, lighten your workload, and save precious time,” he says.

Setting boundaries is also key.

With staffing shortages, it’s common to feel overextended, says Spurling. Clear task lists and defined boundaries can help manage your workload more effectively, ensuring you don’t take on more than you can handle. “Learning to say no and delegating tasks when possible is essential in maintaining a healthy balance,” she says.

HI professionals also shouldn’t overlook the value of continuous learning. “I realize it can seem daunting when you're juggling so much already, but dedicating specific time each week for learning can make it more manageable,” says Spurling.

The rapid pace of AI technologies and regulatory updates means keeping skills and knowledge up to date. Employers can support this by providing access to courses and training. However, taking the initiative yourself can reduce anxiety about falling behind, says Spurling. “See what your company offers and talk to your direct manager for strategies to go about this. Chances are, they'll be excited to help you upskill.”

Fostering a Supportive Culture

In any workplace, it’s important to identify any internal and external obstacles to work-life balance, says therapist Mari Verano, MA, LMFT, who counsels patient care managers on fighting burnout and taking control of their careers.

“When someone takes PTO, is that applauded or criticized by management? That's an example of an external obstacle. Examples of internal obstacles might be the idea that burnout is inevitable and that work-life balance is selfish,” she says.

Upper management should not assume they know what their staff needs, Verano emphasizes. They should ask what HI staff needs on a regular basis, and clarify what the organization can deliver, is not able to deliver, and might be able to deliver, she adds.

For example, if a new electronic health record (EHR) is going to be implemented, how long is the roll-out expected to take? “It even builds trust if management admits that they don't have the information or has limited information, and that they're working on a plan to find out more,” says Verano.

Take Time for Self-care

Self-care is another critical element in the work-life balance equation.

“Regular exercise, a balanced diet, and good sleep form the basic fundamentals for high energy and clarity of mind,” says McClure, who advises his own team to take a few moments off during work hours to stretch their bodies, meditate, or simply breathe deeply.

Small efforts can reduce stress and make it easier to go back to work and focus on work-related responsibilities, he says. Providing an environment in which workers are free to share their needs and problems with group members is important. “Discussion and some room for flexibility can, in some cases, result in adjustments according to individual situations and can bring about a better work-life balance,” says McClure.

Seeking support from peers and supervisors is vital, says Spurling. “Open communication about your workload and stress levels can lead to better support systems. Collaboration with colleagues can distribute the workload more evenly and foster a sense of camaraderie, which is crucial in high-stress environments,” she says.

It can be scary to speak up honestly. But oftentimes, people don't know you're struggling unless you vocalize it, says Spurling.

Many companies offer wellness programs and benefits designed to support mental and physical health. Spurling encourages HI professionals to reach out to their HR teams to see what's available, such as employee assistance programs, counseling services, fitness programs, or flexible working hours.

Compt, Spurling’s company, has supported hospital networks that integrate lifestyle spending accounts, that offer stipends for wellness activities. “I’ve always believed that when employees feel supported and valued, they are more engaged and productive. This approach benefits the employees and contributes to the organization's overall success,” she says.

Make Time for Activities You Enjoy

Develop interests or hobbies outside of work, McClure says. “Doing what makes one happy and calm, having fun — these are all mental resets. It will be easier to get back to work with new vigor.”

Work-life balance comes down to regularly creating positive mental and physical experiences, which look and feel different for everyone.  One HI professional might want to climb mountains, whereas another might want to go to the spa on a regular basis. “The point is to know which activities are most rewarding and schedule time to do them daily, weekly, and monthly,” Verano says.

Jennifer Lubell is a freelance healthcare and medical writer based in the Washington, DC, area.