hand writing notes hand hurts

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OpalOnyx

OpalOnyx

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I love to hand write notes but my hand hurts. Much better for me than typing in terms of learning. That's all.... any ideas or help?


ow.
 
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Maybe try some thicker pens/pencils to switch it up (Dr. Grip comes to mind)
 
OpalOnyx said:
I love to hand write notes but my hand hurts. Much better for me than typing in terms of learning. That's all.... any ideas or help?


ow.
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Stop spending so much time trying to knock out the one-eyed champ.
 
MediCynical said:
Maybe try some thicker pens/pencils to switch it up (Dr. Grip comes to mind)
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i bought these logo pens that i really love to use... but there's no support/grip on these. does anyone know of relatively inexpensive grippers that are insertable on any pen?

i've seen them before long long ago but do not remember
 
who still handwrites? it's all electronic
 
C5toC9 said:
who still handwrites? it's all electronic
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Er I do, as does the OP. There is a component of memory with tactile sensation.
 
no i agree with you, but i mean when you write notes for the patient charts, it's all in electronic medical records now (at least for my hospital)
 
C5toC9 said:
no i agree with you, but i mean when you write notes for the patient charts, it's all in electronic medical records now (at least for my hospital)
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Ah okay. Yeah sadly my main teaching hospital hasn't quite switched over to full EMR yet. Most of the private ones we rotate at have for the most part (though for some reason we can't always access it at some of them 🙄). I think there's gonna be a quick switch to EMR coming up soon enough anyhow what with Medicare reimbursements.
 
Alvarez13 said:
Stop spending so much time trying to knock out the one-eyed champ.
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Spend more time. Exercising those muscles will prepare them for fatigue much better.
 
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OpalOnyx said:
i bought these logo pens that i really love to use... but there's no support/grip on these. does anyone know of relatively inexpensive grippers that are insertable on any pen?

i've seen them before long long ago but do not remember
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Honestly, I've got a mix bag about hadnwritten notes and electonic charts. Electronic is easier. Most notes write themselves.

Most people disagree, because they want the instant gratifaction of "wow that was easy" right now, rather than the thought process that goes into a note. Personally, I think you actually learn more from the paper charts, writing out the important things, having to think AHEAD of what is important, what isnt; what your plan is, and what it isnt. With electronic charts, its too easy just to go and edit.

Its one of the fundamentals of learning. "The way you teach it is the way they will play it back." If you can go edit your note, just copy and paste, then there is no learning, its methodical, its easy, its fast. But if you are forced to think out your note, even at the cost of your hand, you are forced to think, you are forced to learn.

Once you are done with residency, go for it. Whatever. You've paid your dues, you've learned your skill. You've thought, you've planned. Now you can reap the rewards.

As a medical student or resident, the time is not now for easy. The time is now for learning, for thinking, for being better than you thought you could be. It may take a long time now. But just like exercise, dieting, and writing case reports, the long term benefit is substantial; impossible if you take the easy route too far.

I'd say get a comfortable pen, and get used to it. My writing callous (which i developed in high school, lost in college, and as a paramedic) is back in full force. It takes longer, it makes the days seem about 30 minutes longer, MAYBE an hour if you have many patients, but the reward for thinking through the note and a little sore finger is totally worth the long term payoffs.

Ive used both. The VA system with templates I have to edit take about 4 seconds. The notes I have to hand write or dictate take longer. But they are worth it. Im better at dictating, Im better at the things I need to ask, Im better at planning out my note and the patient encounter. These aren't things I could have appreciated in medical school. Now, with residents who came from EMR they say "ZOMFG THIS IS SO PAINFUL" for about 5 days, then say "i've never really thought about my note, i'm learning so much!" after the first week. I honestly believe that medical students and residents are some of the hardest working people on the planet; we all want to learn, EMRs actually inhibit that.
 
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Try fountain pens. Changed my life. If you press too hard youll break the pen so it makes you use very little pressure = no more hand and wrist pain.
 
try typing, it lasts longer and if you do it right, you won't get carpal tunnel.
 
JJMountainMan said:
Try fountain pens. Changed my life. If you press too hard youll break the pen so it makes you use very little pressure = no more hand and wrist pain.
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+1

I was introduced to fountain pens during my last year of undergrad. I currently use the Lamy Safari. It's a modern durable fountain pen. It has a nice nib (the metal tip) and writes smooth. I got mine off amazon, the link is below. Just remember it may seem too expensive to pay $30 for a fountain pen, but it will last you a lifetime and all you have to do is fill it up with ink every few days. Super simple and over the long term it's cost effective.

Also, don't pay anything more than $40 for a pen. Those type of pens are usually more for appearance (though they write very well) and are a heavy, which starts to hurt my hand. The Lamy pen is made out of plastic, so it's light weight and really durable. That's how I picked this pen over others.


http://www.amazon.com/Lamy-Safari-F...office-products&ie=UTF8&qid=1310316822&sr=1-1

You should also get the converter so you can use your own bottled ink as opposed to buying pre-filled ink cartridges that can only be used once. The converter can be used, in essence, forever.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=470938631&pf_rd_i=507846

Here is bottled ink for those who are not familiar. One of these bottles will last about 6-12 months, depending on usage.

http://www.amazon.com/Sheaffer-Ink-...L8LS/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1310317259&sr=8-4

http://www.amazon.com/Noodlers-Blac...Z2E6/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1310317259&sr=8-8
 
SMCmedicine said:
+1

I was introduced to fountain pens during my last year of undergrad. I currently use the Lamy Safari. It's a modern durable fountain pen. It has a nice nib (the metal tip) and writes smooth. I got mine off amazon, the link is below. Just remember it may seem too expensive to pay $30 for a fountain pen, but it will last you a lifetime and all you have to do is fill it up with ink every few days. Super simple and over the long term it's cost effective.

Also, don't pay anything more than $40 for a pen. Those type of pens are usually more for appearance (though they write very well) and are a heavy, which starts to hurt my hand. The Lamy pen is made out of plastic, so it's light weight and really durable. That's how I picked this pen over others.


http://www.amazon.com/Lamy-Safari-F...office-products&ie=UTF8&qid=1310316822&sr=1-1

You should also get the converter so you can use your own bottled ink as opposed to buying pre-filled ink cartridges that can only be used once. The converter can be used, in essence, forever.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=470938631&pf_rd_i=507846

Here is bottled ink for those who are not familiar. One of these bottles will last about 6-12 months, depending on usage.

http://www.amazon.com/Sheaffer-Ink-...L8LS/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1310317259&sr=8-4

http://www.amazon.com/Noodlers-Blac...Z2E6/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1310317259&sr=8-8
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how long have you had your fountain pen? also, i'm wondering if the ink can get messy.

btw, thanks for the amazon links. am seriously thinking about switching to these fountain pens.
 
+1 to the Lamy Safari.

I use the extra fine nib with a lamy converter and Noodler's black Ink. I haven't had any accidents since I have been using the pen.
 
The Lamy safari is great, and the Lamy 2000 is AWESOME. I also love the Namiki Vanishing Point which acts just like a ball point with a click mechanism and takes cartridges if youre worried about mess (which you shouldn't be). Also, in the hospital, alcohol like what is found in those instant hand sanitizers can be really bad for pens and the vanishing point has a metal body so it doesnt matter if you soak it in alcohol even.
 
Great suggestions, I want to spend less money so I'll probably go with the Safari

how about these colored ones, do these work with the same converter posted above?
http://www.amazon.com/Lamy-Safari-Blue-Point-Fountain/dp/B000R2YQRO/ref=sr_1_10?s=office-products&ie=UTF8&qid=1310357563&sr=1-10

also i'm not sure about fine vs extra fine. i shouldnt get the medium, right?

also i'm planning to go to with the Noodle's ink. no smudgining while highlighting written text?


thanks for all your help! i'm so excited about ordering this new pen.
 
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Get extra fine for sure; fountain pens write thicker than you think. You can use different inks to make the line finer or bolder if the ink is thinner or thicker in consistency.
 
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I I would suggest stretching your forearm and palm regularly throughout the day by rotating your palm around your carpels. It especially helps to do it in the morning, like when you're brushing your teeth etc. You strengthen your forearm muscles and that prevents the pain. My 2c
 
Baron Samedi said:
I usually just rub myself while I type. It works on so many levels.
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👍


bumping up my hand hurts thread because this is very significant.... at least to me 🙂

... which is why it's my hand hurts thread.

i'm planning to buy myself the fountain pens as a reward after the first exam set in the fall..... in the meantime, i'm probably going to put some grippers on the pens I currently use.
 
Perhaps look into getting a pen tablet attachment for your computer.
 
SoundofSilver said:
Perhaps look into getting a pen tablet attachment for your computer.
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i know... but i really like old school and the feel of paper and physically writing with ink. Seeing it on a screen isn't as gratifying to me. although i am planning to type some notes and then do extensive highlighting or writing on the side to make it feel kind of like "my own" if that makes any sense.
 
OpalOnyx said:
Great suggestions, I want to spend less money so I'll probably go with the Safari

how about these colored ones, do these work with the same converter posted above?
http://www.amazon.com/Lamy-Safari-Blue-Point-Fountain/dp/B000R2YQRO/ref=sr_1_10?s=office-products&ie=UTF8&qid=1310357563&sr=1-10

also i'm not sure about fine vs extra fine. i shouldnt get the medium, right?

also i'm planning to go to with the Noodle's ink. no smudgining while highlighting written text?


thanks for all your help! i'm so excited about ordering this new pen.
Click to expand...

I've had my fountain pen for two years and I've never had a single messy situation. Then again, I don't throw it around like I do my ball point pens. Just think of it like your stethoscope, it's pricey, so just be careful with it. With respect to ink spills or messes, never happened and I don't think it will. I tried shaking my pen, full of ink, without a cap and nothing spilled out.

Great choice to go with Lamy. With respect to nibs, the medium nib produced really big font but it's outrageously smooth. I use a fine nib, which is still pretty smooth and it's like writing with a 0.7mm pen (or mechanical pencil). The extra fine nib writes like a 0.5mm pen.

To address your question, the converters works on all models in the Safari line. It doesn't matter which color you choose. Simply preference. I went with the grey because I like the black nib. I also have a black on black 3M stethoscope, so I guess I just like that style.

Enjoy your fountain pen.
 
I like micron pens (fancy drawing pens) for the same reason people mentioned fountain pens - writes very smoothly, you can't put pressure on it so you strain your hand less. But it's like $3 a pop in some stores (much cheaper if you have friends/relatives in Korea or Japan).


Also, i make my own ghetto foam grips for my pens (i don't like a lot of the the rubber grips that come with pens - not soft enough - and if it gets a little grimy, i can just rip it off and put a new one on) . It also made them easier to find in the black hole that is my school bag. You can get some upholstery foam (or even just the stuff they use to cushion fancy electronics), cut it out to size and fit it on.
 
Why not practice your cursive? I used to have this problem too. Spent some time practicing cursive, and now I can literally write for hours without tiring. I also use fountain pens, I'm actually using my Safari right now.

Also, masturbating.
 
bomgd3 said:
Why not practice your cursive? I used to have this problem too. Spent some time practicing cursive, and now I can literally write for hours without tiring. I also use fountain pens, I'm actually using my Safari right now.

Also, masturbating.
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multitasking?

nice.
 
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Stop using cheap pens. Use comfort Grip pens.
 
some weakass forearms in this thread
 
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