The hidden cost of data overload: How ‘too much information’ is sabotaging patient care

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Health care today faces a paradox. Although the industry is more data-driven than ever, physicians can feel increasingly disempowered. The sheer volume of information — electronic health records (EHRs), patient portals, clinical notes, insurance claims and more — makes it difficult to identify the most relevant details for each patient interaction.

According to a 2023 Harris Poll, 70% of physicians feel they’re dealing with more data than they can manage — a phenomenon known as data fatigue. The result? Burnout, slower workflows and compromised patient safety.

More data doesn’t automatically lead to better outcomes. Studies show the flood of redundant or irrelevant information can erode the very foundation of the physician-patient relationship. Instead of alleviating provider stress, today’s data systems often add to it, bogging down clinical workflows and making it harder for physicians to focus on what truly matters: delivering exceptional patient care.

Smarter data, not more data

Jeff Smith
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The problem isn’t a lack of data but how it’s presented and utilized. Physicians need tools that cut through the clutter and deliver the most relevant insights precisely when they’re needed — during pivotal care moments, like when a patient is admitted to the emergency room or contacts the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.

For example, real-time alerts about a patient’s behavioral or physical health status can prevent crises before they escalate. Imagine a scenario where a physician receives a notification that a patient with a history of substance use disorder has visited the ER multiple times in a short period. With this insight, the physician can intervene early, potentially avoiding a costly hospital readmission and ensuring the patient is connected to appropriate care.

This type of actionable intelligence is where health care data reveal their true value. If a physician notices a pattern of rising ER visits, they can use these insights to adjust a patient’s treatment plan proactively. Similarly, integrating real-time prescription data into a doctor’s workflow enhances patient safety and can help reduce opioid misuse. Alerts about overlapping prescriptions or multiple pharmacy visits can prompt physicians to investigate and ensure safer prescribing practices.

The key is seamlessly integrating these insights into workflows without overwhelming providers with irrelevant details. Physicians should have access to the right information at the right time, helping to reduce cognitive overload.

Tackling burnout with smarter workflows

Beyond improving clinical outcomes, smarter workflows are crucial for combating physician burnout. Physicians navigate a complex maze of data entry, patient management systems and insurance claims, all detracting from direct patient care.

According to McKinsey & Company, physicians spend an average of 2.6 hours daily on clerical tasks, equivalent to caring for nine patients. These tasks include navigating clinical notes and billing codes, reviewing medical claims and handling EHR patient documentation. With data-driven tools that can automate routine tasks like prescription refills and follow-up appointments, these advances can allow for more high-value touchpoints and interactions.

The growing administrative burden, combined with a workforce shortage projected to exceed 100,000 critical workers by 2028, has intensified the strain on providers, especially in primary and behavioral health. The result is an escalating burnout crisis, where physicians are spending more time on paperwork than on patient care.

To address this, technology must offer distilled, actionable insights at key moments in care. Tools that flag high-risk patients for follow-up or highlight essential clinical information can help physicians make faster, better-informed decisions, easing the mental load of navigating data. This allows providers to streamline workflows and spend less time on administrative tasks, enabling physicians to refocus on high-quality patient care.

Rethinking technology for human-centric care

In a value-driven health care landscape, technology should support physicians in making informed, compassionate decisions with confidence. Instead of relying purely on artificial intelligence-driven decision-making, an “intelligence assistance” approach allows technology to complement clinical judgment by delivering the right insights when they’re needed most. This approach aligns with patient-centered care, where technology enriches the physician’s expertise rather than replacing it.

By integrating human-centric technology into clinical workflows, physicians can focus on providing personalized care, confident they have the most relevant information at their fingertips. The future of health care should center on technology that supports, rather than replaces, the human element of care.

The path forward

The U.S. health care system is more data-driven than ever, yet physicians face unprecedented burdens — navigating not only a flood of information but critical staffing shortages. This dual pressure fuels a burnout crisis — particularly in primary and behavioral health. While data are essential for improving outcomes, their sheer volume contributes to data fatigue, ultimately compromising the quality of care.

In today’s digital environment, the answer isn’t more data — it’s smarter data. Physicians need tools that filter out the noise and provide real-time, actionable insights, enabling quick and confident decision-making at critical moments. The future of health care lies in intelligent systems that are seen as partners in physician workflows, allowing providers to focus on what they do best: delivering exceptional patient care.

Jeff Smith is the CEO of Bamboo Health, which improves physical and behavioral health outcomes during pivotal care moments.