is there a reason why doctors scribble prescriptions?

The man left his doctors office with prescription in hand. All the way to the pharmacy he tried to make out what it said, but just could not read it.

When he got to the pharmacy he asked the pharmacist would he read it to him.

Sure the pharmacist replied, "Let's see, it says, I've got a $100.00 out of him, now its your turn, see what you can get from him."

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I got news for you. A lot of doctors scribble everywhere.

Some say it is because they got in bad handwriting habits taking notes in med school. I had more than one physician tell me they don't want their writing legible for "privacy" and "confidential reason". Not sure if they were serious or joking.

A phone call or two at home on some late orders though usually took care of the problem of not being legible on their orders at least.

I think they learn to scribble in med school when they're taking tons of notes and have to write fast. I also think in some weird way they're proud of it, because no matter how many times I suggest they print so people could read what is written, they just scribble more.

I think from what I've observed that a lot of poor penmanship on the part of doctors can be attributed to the fact that they are always in a hurry. However, due to JCAHO patient safety standards and all that good stuff, docs are being forced to shape up their handwriting due to (as someone else said) constant phone calls for clarification and such. I know in my hospital at least, legibility is something that's really being cracked down on.

Because they are just too darn smart and special to take the time to write legibly.

because they're in a hurry and want to get on with the next patient

Makes it alot harder to forge their perscriptions and signatures.

PROBABLY B/C THEY WRITE TO MANY OF THEM ALL DAY, AND THEIR HAND IS TIRED.

they got lot's on their minds.