Answer:
As a medical assistant, it helped shorten what the person was c/o (complaining of). Sometimes the patients like to fire out a bunch of things, and you have a little area to write down the problem. It is a lot easier and faster to write down then to spell it out completely.
you tell me which is easier to write down:
NPO or nothing by mouth
Dx or diagnoses
STD or sexually transmitted disease
CPR or cardiac pulmonary resuscitation
qid or four times a day?
bid or twice a day.
If I wanted to tell doctor:
"Patient complaining of pain in abdomen everyday and shortness of breath."
it's a lot simpler writing it this way:
Pt c/o pain in abd qd and SOB.
see the difference? hope this helps you!