Why do so many doctors have such poor handwriting?

Answer 1

It's something they learn in college.

Answer 2

Your question is a good one.

There's an old saying that doctors go to school to learn how to write illegibly while pharmacists go to school to learn how to read what doctors write.

Below are a few reasons:

-.".medical school professors contribute to the problem by their laxity in criticizing the written reports for clarity of handwriting and use of language. .."

The situation is made worse by the custom of designating medical conditions with acronyms, many of which are ambiguous.

-"...Professors are part of the problem in other ways. At one teaching hospital where a professor's handwritten notes and orders were among the most illegible, young doctors said: ''It's no problem. We can't read them, so we don't try. We wait until he comes around again and asks us if such-and-such has been done. Then we know what to order.''

-Another suspicion is that poor handwriting has contributed to the malpractice situation.

-The practice of medicine is difficult. The medical thinking about a patient's diagnosis, course and prognosis can change drastically and unexpectedly every few hours, sometimes even faster than doctors can write progress notes in a patient's chart.

Very few busy people in other professions or businesses have good penmanship. Lack of time itself may be the most important reason for the problem..."

However doctors are dealing with peoples lives and it is at times life-threatening if someone cannot read the doctors notes.

There is hope - according to one articel ".. Information technology is playing an increasingly important part in medical practice, but it doesn't mean that proficient penmanship is a skill of the past. A portable computer system that recognizes handwriting is set to become a regular part of the doctor's toolkit. In most computer systems handwritten input is converted into text.."

Great question!

Devin Willis

Answer 3

Most MDs have to learn how to write fast while in school (university, med school, etc.) They lose some of their ability for neatness I guess. I had great handwriting until I started the university. Now only I can read what I scribble.

Answer 4

Special classes for illegible handwriting

Answer 5

Because they spend more time on necessary paperwork than they do with patients or their families. Try writing that much and see how your handwriting is by noon.

Answer 6

They are in such a hurry they do not have time to sit there and make it look perfect.

Answer 7

They're too bored to take care of their handwriting; they just want to get over with.

Answer 8

I dont know...I guess they missed out on penmanship 101. It really sucks sometimes trying to decipher it, but after a while, you get to the point where you can read any drs writing and know what it means.

Answer 9

because when they are in class they have to write as fast as pssible to get all the imformation they need to get and also they need to fill a lot of paper work during the day so they just give up and write how ever is easier for them.

Answer 10

I actually asked my child's pediatrician that question. His response was, "Well, when you're taking notes from a professor who talks for a whole hour, you don't have time to make it pretty. After a while, you just develop a style of slop."

♫♫♫ L

Answer 11

I would imagine that they've done so much handwriting in the past, that they just don't care about penmanship anymore. I know the feeling.