Chandigarh: The Punjab and Haryana High Court has called for corrective measures regarding the illegible handwriting of doctors, which often makes medical notes and prescriptions unreadable. The court expressed concern that this widespread issue in both government and private medical practices could severely impact patient care.
Key Points of the Court’s Observation:
- Illegible Medical Notes: The court highlighted a criminal case in Haryana where the Medico Legal Report (MLR) was impossible to decipher, raising serious concerns about the accessibility of medical information.
- Right to Know Medical Information: The court emphasized that patients and their attendants have the right to understand their medical status and treatment history. This information, the court noted, can be considered a fundamental right under Article 21 of the Indian Constitution (Right to Life), given that health and treatment are integral parts of human life.
- Technology vs. Handwritten Notes: Justice Jasgurpreet Singh Puri remarked on the anachronism of handwritten notes in an era of computers. The court pointed out that prescriptions and medical histories are often illegible, accessible only to a select few, such as chemists or fellow doctors, creating barriers to transparency and understanding.
Court’s Directives:
- Assistance from Governments and Medical Bodies: The court has asked the advocate generals of Punjab, Haryana, and the senior standing counsel for UT Chandigarh to assist in identifying steps to rectify this issue.
- National Medical Commission (NMC) Involvement: The National Medical Commission (NMC) has been called upon for assistance, with Ravi Sharma, an advocate on the NMC panel, appointed to help address the issue.
- Appointment of Amicus Curiae: The court appointed Tanu Bedi, advocate, as amicus curiae to aid in the case.
Context:
The issue came to light during the court’s review of a criminal case involving a Medico Legal Report. The illegibility of handwriting in such documents raises concerns about transparency, patient safety, and medical accountability.
The court’s call for modernization in medical documentation practices aims to ensure that patients and their families have the ability to access and understand the medical treatment they receive. This initiative could prompt a broader reform in medical record-keeping and prescription practices, fostering greater clarity and accountability.
