Easier to write. We spend 5 minutes talking about you at handoff (and I need to write down everything AS the other person is talking) then I have to write a mini essay about each person. Abbreviations are highly specific to specialty, but much easier. An example from my specialty might be:
SI / attempt r/o. BIBA GSW LA (iso suspect DV but pt denies), + ligature marks neck. WC placed, CT (-).
Which is to say
The ambulance brought them to the ED for a gunshot wound to the left arm. We’re pretty sure the spouse tried to shoot them and it looks like they tried to strangle them too, but they won’t admit it / are covering for them. The wound consult is in and they did a CT of their neck already, no severe injury noted. We’re ruling out that this was a suicide attempt and trying to get them to at least talk about what happened / get them into a DV shelter or somewhere else safe.
Easier to write. We spend 5 minutes talking about you at handoff (and I need to write down everything AS the other person is talking) then I have to write a mini essay about each person. Abbreviations are highly specific to specialty, but much easier. An example from my specialty might be:
Which is to say
…which is like 4-5 times as long.