I may be misunderstanding. How is giving the hard copy and different than faxing when it comes to their realizing an allergy..
That was just an example, but there is a
little difference between our patient populations that might change the equation. Namely this: a
lot of my encounters involve little old ladies that take six to twelve chronic medications (which are often altered by specialists who then fail to write and appraise me of the situation).
These ladies can't remember what they take, and they cannot comprehend a computer screen. My experience has been that handling the scripts allows them to say "I don't take this anymore" or "where's my nerve pill?", or (as in the example you name) "I can't take this medicine! (usually followed by "I'm deathly allergic!").
Also, they often take their prescriptions to a caregiver who calls me with corrections. I'll leave the corrected prescription up front for them to pick up.
I despise playing phone tag with a pharmacist. I don't want to be called out of a room for the call, and calling them back through the phone menu is a nightmare.
I probably fax at least 20 to 30 scripts per day.
I have never done a census, but I would estimate that I prescribe at least double that in a day, which is another thing that may change the equation.
The difference we experience may just be an innate difference between adult and pediatric medicine. Or, I may not be giving it a fair shake. I am still contemplating it. It sounds like it works very well for you, and I
am a little envious.
