Peer-reviewed research

Allocation of Physician Time in Ambulatory Practice: A Time and Motion Study in 4 Specialties

Christine Sinsky et al., Annals of Internal Medicine, 2016 · DOI 10.7326/M16-0961

Read on October 16, 2026

What it is: A direct observation time and motion study of 57 U.S. physicians in four specialties, observed for 430 hours during office hours, plus after-hours diaries from 21 of them. It measured how much of the day went to face time with patients and how much to EHR and desk work.
How much weight it carries: Peer-reviewed and funded by the American Medical Association. The authors state the practices were self-selected and high-performing, and the design did not allow formal statistical comparisons. It does not measure dictation separately from other EHR work.

Facts taken from this source

The 2016 time and motion study observed 57 physicians for 430 hours.
“57 U.S. physicians in family medicine, internal medicine, cardiology, and orthopedics who were observed for 430 hours”
In a 2016 time and motion study, physicians spent 27.0% of their office-day time with patients in direct face time and 49.2% on EHR and desk work.
“During the office day, physicians spent 27.0% of their total time on direct clinical face time with patients and 49.2% of their time on EHR and desk work.”