In an age driven by technology, the necessity for legible handwriting remains paramount, especially for medical practitioners. The Punjab and Haryana High Court in India has ruled that legibility in medical prescriptions is a fundamental right, highlighting the potential life-threatening consequences of poor handwriting.
The court's decision was prompted by a case involving allegations of rape and forgery, where the judge, Justice Jasgurpreet Singh Puri, noted the incomprehensibility of a medico-legal report authored by a government doctor. The judge's concern over the illegibility led to a ruling mandating doctors to write prescriptions clearly and in capital letters.
The court has directed the government to incorporate handwriting lessons into medical curricula and set a timeline for implementing digitized prescriptions. Justice Puri stated, It is shocking that government doctors are still writing prescriptions by hand that cannot be read by anyone except perhaps some chemists. This emphasis on clear writing aims to prevent ambiguities that could lead to severe medical errors.
Dr. Dilip Bhanushali, president of the Indian Medical Association, acknowledged the challenge of ensuring clarity in prescriptions, especially in rural areas where digital alternatives are limited. He emphasized the busy nature of medical practitioners, often leading to hastily written notes that can compromise patient safety.
Despite ongoing efforts to rectify the issue, pharmacists report that indistinct prescriptions are still common, reinforcing the necessity for the court's ruling. Historical cases substantiate the dire consequences of illegible prescriptions, prompting an enduring discussion on the need for reform within the medical community. As the healthcare sector in India evolves, the recent court ruling represents a significant step toward enhancing medical clarity and ensuring patient safety.
