Although electronic records are more common now, if you saw your doctor’s handwriting, there’s a good chance it’s chicken scratch. Here’s why.
If you’ve ever taken a handwritten prescription from a doctor or looked at the notes from your visit, it seems like no amount of squinting could help the letters get clearer.
Bad handwriting almost seems like a requirement for graduating from med school.Although most doctors use electronic medical records today, you might still come across handwriting from your doctor and have trouble deciphering it.
It’s not like only people with bad handwriting are attracted to the medical field. Ruth Brocato, MD, primary care doctor with Mercy Medical Center in Baltimore,
Maryland says she went from winning a penmanship award in grade school to having a totally illegible script now.
“I know other people have trouble deciphering my notes,” says Dr. Brocato, who adds that she can usually read her own writing.
