I took Bert's advice and for the last three to four weeks, I have been taking the laptop in the room with me. This did take some getting used to.
Usually before I enter the room, the chief complaint and vital signs are in the chart. It's more tedious on the first visit as much of the PMH, meds etc aren't in the chart and need to be entered. I write most of my note in the room. When I'm done and the patient is getting dressed, I write any orders, Eprescribe (after asking their preferred pharmacy) and finish my note.
Since I have been doing it this way, i have not had a stack of charts on my desk in the evening. It's been great, thanks Bert.
I also have the problem where patients want to talk about other things not related to the current visit. When possible, I schedule them for follow up visits.
My big thing was I did not want to see patients and have my back to them. I'm with Wendell in that I look at the patient while I'm writing my note. Fortunately for me, I can type.
This may not work for everyone, but it works great in my office.
