Why can't doctors write in english??

[ZmOz]

So I just got back from the doctor with 7 more prescriptions. He gave me this list, hand written, of what to take when and why. I can literally only make out 2 words, the rest looks like arabic. Why is it so hard for doctors to write??? I mean...I never write, I type, and still my handwriting is legible. He has to write prescriptions every day! Why don't they type this crap? Does anybody have a doctor that can actually write?

Ugh.

 

[snapperbait]

Re: Why can't doctors write in english??

Yup.... And what amazes me the most is the pharmacist can actually read that stuff... Or can they?.... hummm

 

[Kiwi Phil]

Re: Why can't doctors write in english??

My wife has a Doctor in her family. Close to retirement.
Her Xmas and birthday card....well she actually keeps them......the writing is so bad no one can decipher them except her.
Once I asked him about prescriptions and he told me Drs now have a program on their computers and all he does is click boxes and the printer spits out the doc.
You got to remember this guy is also a Mountaineer of some note, and back quite a bit was the boss of a big International outfit in the Antartic, for a whole year. How anyone deciphered his reports....well the whole family laughs about it even now.
I wonder at times if he dosn't take pride in writing words no one else can read.
Cheers
Phillip

 

[JB]

Re: Why can't doctors write in english??

A serious problem, according to my health care descendants.

The Pharmacist often has almost as much trouble reading it as you do, and unless (s)he calls the Doc for confirmation deadly mistakes can occur.

However, all the RX has to know is what the medication is and what the dosage is. The RX often gives clearer instructions about how to use it and what side effects to watch out for than some Docs. The RX is often more up-to-date on what medications must never be mixed than the Docs, too. My RX quizzes me about what my problem is and what the Doc says about it.

That said, I always ask my Doc to explain in detail what she is prescribing, why, what dosage, and what risks are involved. Not only does she do that, she often "prescribes" over the counter remedies and supplements rather than the gold filled unobtanium hydrochloride drug-of-the-month at a bazillion bux a dose.

Always know what you are getting, why, how to use it and what possible problems may occur.

 

[Limited-Time]

Re: Why can't doctors write in english??

A serious problem, according to my health care descendants.

The Pharmacist often has almost as much trouble reading it as you do, and unless (s)he calls the Doc for confirmation deadly mistakes can occur.

However, all the RX has to know is what the medication is and what the dosage is. The RX often gives clearer instructions about how to use it and what side effects to watch out for than some Docs. The RX is often more up-to-date on what medications must never be mixed than the Docs, too. My RX quizzes me about what my problem is and what the Doc says about it.

That said, I always ask my Doc to explain in detail what she is prescribing, why, what dosage, and what risks are involved. Not only does she do that, she often "prescribes" over the counter remedies and supplements rather than the gold filled unobtanium hydrochloride drug-of-the-month at a bazillion bux a dose.

Always know what you are getting, why, how to use it and what possible problems may occur.

With my RX it's SOP to call the office for new scripts. And they question me on refills to make sure there are no changes.

As for the she Doc. JB, ya gott'a love it when she asks ya to "turn your head and cough".

 

[Plainsman]

Re: Why can't doctors write in english??

If you can't read it before you leave, why don't you ask what is says, if your so concerned? Seems logical to me.

 

[Pony]

Re: Why can't doctors write in english??

If you can't read it before you leave, why don't you ask what is says, if your so concerned? Seems logical to me.

EXACTLY!

 

[ZmOz]

Re: Why can't doctors write in english??

I am well aware of what the prescriptions are for. All you gotta do is put the name in google and you'll learn more than you ever wanted to know. The prescriptions are printed out, but his notes aren't. This guy spent 20+ years in school and speaks 4 languages...but can't write legibly! How did the teachers grade his work?

she often "prescribes" over the counter remedies and supplements rather than the gold filled unobtanium hydrochloride drug-of-the-month at a bazillion bux a dose.

Yeah, I got three of those too. I'm up to 14 pills a day!

 

[BoatBuoy]

Re: Why can't doctors write in english??

No problem here. My doc carries a wireless laptop from room to room. When prescribing, he queues it up and it either prints it and it's waiting for me when I check out, or it's transmitted to the RX of my choice. The program is accessing keeps track of what I'm taking, as well as drug interactions/contrindications, and allergies I might have.

All this in backwoods E. Tenn.

 

[bjcsc]

Re: Why can't doctors write in english??

It's all done to save time, avoid fraud, and it's not all english - some of it is latin/med. abbreviations.

Examples (oral meds):
Take 1 tablet 3 times a day = 1TPOTID

Take 2 tablets every 12 hours= 2TPOQ12

Take 1 tablet 2 times per day=1TPOBID

Pharmacists are well versed in common dosages of what is used to treat what, many times even more so than the physicians.

That said, is there not any way to modify some behavior and lose some of those meds?? 14 seems like a lot...(0 here)...

 

[12Footer]

Re: Why can't doctors write in english??

My hand-written materials not only have to be legible, it is critical, as they become permanent record. But what I do not understand is that a doctor's hand-written record is much more critical for the same reasons in addition to the patient's health.
In my trade, if the inspectors hand the DE a daily report he cannot read, it will be handed-back... Can you immagine what a doctor's response would be if his patient handed his scrips back saying, "make this legible". ?? LOL

 

[JB]

Re: Why can't doctors write in english??

Posted by LT: "As for the she Doc. JB, ya gott'a love it when she asks ya to "turn your head and cough".

I probably would have at one time, LT. She is a real knockout.

However, I have grandchildren older than she is.

 

[ZmOz]

Re: Why can't doctors write in english??

It's all done to save time, avoid fraud, and it's not all english - some of it is latin/med. abbreviations.

Examples (oral meds):
Take 1 tablet 3 times a day = 1TPOTID

Take 2 tablets every 12 hours= 2TPOQ12

Take 1 tablet 2 times per day=1TPOBID

Pharmacists are well versed in common dosages of what is used to treat what, many times even more so than the physicians.

I'm not talking about abbreviations...he was only writing to me. It just looks like a 4 year old wrote it.

That said, is there not any way to modify some behavior and lose some of those meds?? 14 seems like a lot...(0 here)...

If you want me to go on a homocidal rampage and then have a heart attack, yeah. Beleive me, I don't like taking that many...and they won't even let me drink now!