Tecnoestrés y sobrecarga cognitiva asociados al uso de historias clínicas electrónicas en profesionales de enfermería: revisión bibliográfica estructurada

Candida Vanesa Lanche-Troya; Yésica Patricia Sarmiento-Quezada

Authors

Lanche-Troya Candida Vanesa Enfermera ocupacional. Loja, Ecuador. https://orcid.org/0009-0002-4059-2939
Sarmiento-Quezada Yésica Patricia Licenciada en Enfermería. Loja, Ecuador. https://orcid.org/0009-0001-7866-3731

Keywords:

Occupational Stress; Electronic Health Records; Nursing; Mental Workload; Documentation Burden; Usability

Abstract

DOI: https://doi.org/10.46296/gt.v9i18.0409

Abstract

Background: Electronic health records (EHRs) improve access to clinical information but may introduce cognitive demands, interruptions, and documentation burden. Objective: To synthesize evidence on technostress, cognitive workload, and documentation burden associated with EHR use among nurses, and to identify modifiable factors. Methods: A structured literature review used three reproducible PubMed strategies covering 2018 through October 20, 2026, assisted title/abstract screening, an auditable record-level matrix, and thematic narrative synthesis of primary research. Results: The searches generated 226 entries and 190 unique PubMed identifiers after 36 repeated hits. Twenty-eight reports underwent preliminary thematic eligibility assessment and 23 primary studies were provisionally synthesized; five were excluded at this step. Poor usability, redundant charting, difficult navigation, and system transitions were frequently linked to distress or higher mental workload, whereas associations with burnout were not uniform. Conclusions: EHR-associated occupational and cognitive strain is influenced by system design and organizational context. Nurse-centered redesign, training, and rigorous prospective evaluations are warranted. This documented search and screening workflow does not constitute a fully independently verified systematic review.

Keywords: Occupational Stress; Electronic Health Records; Nursing; Mental Workload; Documentation Burden; Usability.

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