Doctors Have Bad Handwriting?
That's a fascinating perspective! Historically, poor handwriting among doctors has been partly attributed to the sheer volume of notes and prescriptions they had to write quickly, often under time constraints. But it's also possible that a certain level of obscurity provided a layer of professional secrecy and privacy, especially before electronic medical records and strict data privacy laws. Additionally, in earlier times, unclear handwriting might have inadvertently contributed to a perception of mystique or authority, reinforcing the gap between medical professionals and the public.
However, with modern standards in patient care and safety, clear documentation is crucial. The adoption of electronic health records (EHRs) has helped mitigate any risk that illegible handwriting once posed, prioritizing clear and consistent communication.
In truth, doctors' handwriting varies just like anyone else's, ranging from very neat to quite messy. Medical schools don’t teach a specific handwriting style either.
Here’s an example of my handwriting from a few months into my first year. It wasn’t great, but it was meant for my eyes only.
Fast forward to my final year of medical school, and here’s my handwriting from my patient log, which I later had to transfer to an Excel file. Again, not perfect, but still just for my reference.
And this is my handwriting from last week, when I wrote down my grandma’s medication list. She often asks about her meds, so I finally compiled it for her and took a photo for my records. This is how I typically write when others might read it.
Patient: Doctor, your handwriting is so bad, I can’t read my prescription!
Doctor: That’s okay, neither can the pharmacist!
Doctor: Your chart says you have "Snilfalnza."
Patient: Do you mean "influenza"?
Doctor: Oh, right! Don’t mind the handwriting. I can hardly read it myself!