Most of the documentation physicians perform don ’t help patients

Let me post a question that neither I nor readers can answer: How much of what I do during the course of a day directly benefits patients? Perhaps, I don’t want to really know as I would be dismayed at how much of my effort benefits no one. Ask a nurse who works on a hospital ward, how much of his or her effort is directly applied to patient care. I would recommend that you have a double dose of antacid in hand: one dose for you and the other for the nurse. Just today, I was gently reproved by a hospital physician administrator for a lapse in one of my recent progress notes, which I write after seeing every hospital patient I consult on. Which of the following transgressions do you think I was cited for? Only one answer is correct. I did not perform an adequate physical examination. I failed to address the results of an abnormal CT scan. I neglected to write the time of day along with the date of the note. I did not discuss the case with the patient’s family. Continue reading ... Your patients are rating you online: How to respond. Manage your online reputation: A social media guide. Find out how.
Source: Kevin, M.D. - Medical Weblog - Category: General Medicine Authors: Tags: Physician Gastroenterology Practice Management Source Type: blogs