Pumpkin Positive in the Departure Lounge
The BBC reports on the work of Dr Adam Fox, who has compiled a list of the abbreviations doctors use in their notes. These are used, allegedly, to pinpoint the unspeakable truths about their patients:
The increasing rate of litigation means that there is a far higher chance that doctors will be asked in court to explain the exact meaning of NFN (Normal for Norfolk), FLK (Funny looking kid) or GROLIES (Guardian Reader Of Low Intelligence in Ethnic Skirt).
Dr Fox recounts the tale of one doctor who had scribbled TTFO – an expletive expression roughly translated as “Told To Go Away” – on a patient’s notes . . .
Thanks to Tom Baker for this one
If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!Previous post: Allen Lane – the founder of Penguin Books
Next post: Out Stealing Timber II


I had a friend who was a store manager for a well-known clothes chain. He had a very similar system of abbreviations for staff interviews. People need to speak the truth somehow…even if in code!
x
jb says: Hi Rachel. Didn’t you just love GROLIES.
Yes…so specific!
x
I once had some medical students as housemates. They delighted in showing me articles about abbreviations and jocose expressions doctors had for various patient conditions. One article in particular referred to patients brought into emergency rooms. I would imagine that that sort of thing could be useful safety valve for releasing the tension that must accumulate in one who performs such a hard job. It would be shame if doctors were intimidated and harassed out of exchanges of this kind.
I found your blog through a google search and have found some great info. Just thought I might post my thanks! So thanks lol.
Nice blog you got going there mate!
Thanks for writing, I very much liked reading your newest post. I think you should post more frequently, you clearly have natural ability for blogging!
I really like this one cheers!
cool find. Thanks saved this
Thanks for the post, I will let my family and friends know about this blog
cheers.
Thanks for the post. Very interesting information. I would advise all to visit your site.
HOHO, so specific
Can you tell me what template you’re using for your blog? Thanks!
jb says: Hi Mike. All info is in the footer of the blog. Leon Paternoster is a designer to note.
FLK (Funny looking kid) LOL! that’s a nice one
Thanks for this Nice post, Really usefull all of us. just bookmarked this post in my digg profile, hope you will update more post soon.
I love the abbreviations. FLK is the best out of it
Thanks for sharing with us. Cheers. Love you site by the way.
Lol! I like the abbreviations. They are very funny.
GROLIES is simply classic. I love that one.
Success comes only from discipline training and loving your work. Great blog, fantastic informations. thanks.