Foteini Ntelopoulou
7 min readDec 8, 2023

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The Severe Ramifications of Doctors’ Poor Handwriting: From Misinterpreted Prescriptions to Lethal Errors, Resulting in Up to 30,000 Annual Deaths in Britain Alone

Try to read it!

The notorious stereotype of doctors having indecipherable handwriting is no laughing matter, as it transcends the realm of inconvenience and transforms into a serious threat to patient safety. Beyond the challenges faced by pharmacists and patients in interpreting prescriptions, the consequences of doctors’ bad handwriting extend to fatal errors in drug dispensing. This article explores the dire implications of sloppy handwriting, shedding light on the avoidable deaths caused by medication errors.

The Challenge of Illegible Handwriting:

If you’ve ever tried to decipher a doctor’s handwritten prescription or medical notes, you’re not alone in facing this challenge. It’s a widespread issue that even healthcare professionals acknowledge. Dr. Ruth Brocato, a primary care doctor, notes that her once-awarded penmanship has evolved into illegible script, creating difficulties for others in understanding her notes.

The Perils of Deciphering Doctors’ Prescriptions:

The struggle to decipher a doctor’s prescription is a familiar experience for many…

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