In a landmark ruling, the Punjab and Haryana High Court in India has mandated clear handwriting from doctors, calling for legible prescriptions as a 'fundamental right' essential for patient safety. The court's order, issued by Justice Jasgurpreet Singh Puri, came as a response to a specific case involving allegations of rape and cheating, where the incomprehensible handwriting of a doctor raised serious concerns. Justice Puri noted that the legibility of medical prescriptions can be life-saving, highlighting the potentially dire consequences of misinterpretation.
The judgment has reignited discussions about the notorious issue of 'doctor's handwriting' in India, a phenomenon often met with humor but which poses real risks in medical practice. The court criticized the ongoing practice of handwritten prescription in an era dominated by digital technology and directed medical schools to introduce handwriting lessons, setting a two-year deadline for the implementation of digital prescriptions.
Dr. Dilip Bhanushali, president of the Indian Medical Association, acknowledged the challenges faced by doctors, especially in rural areas, where digital tools are harder to access. He emphasized the importance of following the new guidelines, but also acknowledged the difficulties in ensuring all prescriptions are legibly written, particularly for physicians dealing with high patient volumes.
This ruling reflects ongoing efforts to enhance patient safety and reduce risks associated with ambiguous medical communication. The court called for all doctors to adopt uppercase writing to ensure clarity, with further calls for electronic prescription systems expected to follow.
Historically, courts in India have addressed poor handwriting by medical professionals, but this recent ruling underscores the urgent need for reform in the prescribing process to safeguard patients against preventable medical errors.
The judgment has reignited discussions about the notorious issue of 'doctor's handwriting' in India, a phenomenon often met with humor but which poses real risks in medical practice. The court criticized the ongoing practice of handwritten prescription in an era dominated by digital technology and directed medical schools to introduce handwriting lessons, setting a two-year deadline for the implementation of digital prescriptions.
Dr. Dilip Bhanushali, president of the Indian Medical Association, acknowledged the challenges faced by doctors, especially in rural areas, where digital tools are harder to access. He emphasized the importance of following the new guidelines, but also acknowledged the difficulties in ensuring all prescriptions are legibly written, particularly for physicians dealing with high patient volumes.
This ruling reflects ongoing efforts to enhance patient safety and reduce risks associated with ambiguous medical communication. The court called for all doctors to adopt uppercase writing to ensure clarity, with further calls for electronic prescription systems expected to follow.
Historically, courts in India have addressed poor handwriting by medical professionals, but this recent ruling underscores the urgent need for reform in the prescribing process to safeguard patients against preventable medical errors.
