How to Survive an EMR Go-Live Without Burning Out

How to Survive an EMR Go-Live Without Burning Out

From Academic Medicine Strategy Podcast by Dr. Stacey Ishman

May 13, 2026 · 10 min

About this episode

Dr. Stacey Ishman discusses strategies for physicians to manage the challenges of EMR go-live periods and avoid burnout.

EMR go-live periods are some of the most disruptive and stressful transitions physicians experience, especially early in an academic career when productivity pressures already feel high. In this episode, Dr. Stacey Ishman breaks down what physicians should realistically expect during EMR/Epic implementation, along with practical strategies to reduce documentation burden, protect workflow efficiency, and avoid burnout during the transition. No need to take notes—visit the blog for a full summary of key insights. If you’re interested in working with Academic Medicine Strategy Group, visit Academic Medicine Strategy Group   to learn more about our programs designed to help you build a clear, strategic path to promotion, research, and career advancement. Key Points 1. Expect a Temporary Productivity Drop (00:00–01:00) Dr. Ishman explains that physician productivity commonly decreases by 20–50% during the first 90 days of EMR/Epic implementation, with recovery often taking up to six months. Setting realistic expectations early can reduce frustration and burnout. 2. Build Templates and Smart Phrases Before Go-Live (01:00–02:45) Creating standardized note templates, Epic smart…

People in this episode

Host: Dr. Stacey Ishman

Topics covered

  • EMR implementation
  • physician productivity
  • burnout prevention
  • workflow efficiency
  • documentation strategies

Keywords

  • EMR
  • Epic
  • burnout
  • physician productivity
  • documentation burden
  • workflow efficiency
  • academic medicine

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Academic Medicine Strategy Group

Products: EMR, Epic

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