Working on my “Doctor Handwriting”

For generations, physicians have been told that we have terrible handwriting. To be fair, my handwriting isn't great, but it is a heck of a lot more legible than my dad's ever was. I was dumbfounded the post office ever delivered a single letter he addressed. My dad, who owned a Ben Franklin Store, always blamed his chicken-scratch style on his parents' forcing him to write right-handed when he might have been a natural lefty. Hmmm, maybe. There are probably hundreds of his hand-addressed envelopes in a dead-letter office somewhere.

I, on the other hand, grew up priding myself on my inelegant but servicable handwriting.

Admittedly, my signature did deteriorate early in my career. Back when I was first in practice, all medical records were kept on paper charts. Every week or two, I would head to the medical records department and sit down in front of a mountian of charts that had been generated by the people who had recently been discharged from the hosptial. Each chart had dozens of plastic tabs protruding, each of which marked an order or report where my signature was required. Apparently, insurance companies and Medicare wouldn't pay legitimate charges unless a physician physically signed the form. They claimed that it allowed us to confirm that every charge was legitimate. Our thought was that it made it easier to sue us or deny payment.

Dealing with the stack of charts was a stupid, time-wasting ritual, and I sought to dispense of the duties as quickly as possible. When I started, I signed each entry with "Bruce Campbell, MD." This soon became "Bruce Campbell, then "BCampbell," then "BC," and, finally "C." No one ever seemed to care how long or how short my signature was, as long as it was in the correct location.

So, I joined the legion of physicians who had illegible signatures. I used it on prescriptions, reports, progress notes, and any piece of paper that crossed my desk. "C" was all that was needed.

These days, my official signature is entirely elecrtronic and, of course, legible. It actually takes longer to complete my charts, but at least I can do it from the comfort of my home or office rather than in a cubicle in medical records. It's still a stupid and time-wasting activity, though.

For the book signings, I am resurrecting my original, legible signature. I actually have to think about it when I sign since it is no longer automatic. I notice that it is hard for me to talk and sign at the same time.

So, if I have the opportunity to sign your copy of the book, please know that I took the privilege seriously. And thanks.

#afullnessofuncertainsignificance #afousbook Orange Hat Publishing TEN16 Press #narrativemedicine To order A Fullness of Uncertain Significance visit: https://www.ten16press.com/shop

Advance Praise for "A Fullness of Uncertain Significance" - Danielle Ofri, MD PhD

Dr. Bruce Campbell turns his scalpel on his own history as a surgeon, probing the medical field past, present, and future. His vibrant stories illuminate the fundamental human underpinnings of medical science, bringing to light the glories, tragedies, imperfections, and uncertainties we must all grapple with. Eminently readable and richly satisfying.

—Danielle Ofri, MD, PhD, Clinical Professor of Medicine at New York University School of Medicine, Editor-in-Chief of Bellevue Literary Review, and author of When We Do Harm: A Doctor Confronts Medical Error

From Dr. Campbell:

Dr. Ofri is both a preeminent thought leader and a gifted writer. Her work is insightful, engaging, and important. Despite being a practicing internal medicine physician, she continues to be a creative force.

I was honored that she found time in her schedule to read and review my book.

#afullnessofuncertainsignificance #afousbook Orange Hat Publishing TEN16 Press #narrativemedicine

To pre-order A Fullness of Uncertain Significance, visit: https://www.ten16press.com/shop

Advance Praise for "A Fullness of Uncertain Significance" - Julie Freischlag, MD, FACS

Dr. Campbell’s reflections will resonate with those who treat cancer patients as well as those who have had cancer themselves. Medical students and residents will also be inspired by his life’s journey as a surgeon and teacher, aspiring to their own joyful and meaningful lives in medicine.

—Julie Ann Freischlag, MD, FACS, FRCSEd(Hon), DFSVS, CEO Wake Forest Baptist Health, CAO Atrium Health, Dean of the Wake Forest School of Medicine, and 2021-2022 President of the American College of Surgeons.

From Dr. Campbell:

Dr. Freischlag is the real deal! Despite her meteoric rise through the ranks of academic medicine, she remains a warm, down-to-earth, and generous servant leader. She focuses on the wellness of her teams. She has a laser focus on diversity, inclusion, and equity. Even while serving as chief of vascular surgery at UCLA, surgeon-in-chief at Johns Hopkins, dean and vice provost at UC Davis and, finally, CEO of Wake Forest Baptist Health, she has continued to cherish opportunities to mentor others. She has a long list of being "the first person to...", many of which are documented in her own Wikipedia page. She is one-of-a-kind.

Julie and I were medical school classmates and we have been friends ever since. I was honored that she was able to find a few moments in her overwhelmingly busy schedule to read my book.

#afullnessofuncertainsignificance #afousbook #narrativemedicine Orange Hat PublishingTEN16 Press @JFreischlag

To pre-order A Fullness of Uncertain Significance, visit: https://www.ten16press.com/shop