In the AAMT BOS page 343, where the various usages of a question mark as a form of punctuation are explained:expressions of doubt or uncertainty
Use an ending question mark to indicate doubt or uncertainty. Sometimes, particularly with diagnoses, a question mark is placed before a statement in order to indicate uncertainty. Placement either before or after the questionable material is acceptable but do not place the question mark both before and after.
EXAMPLES:
His cholesterol levels were high normal (or minimally elevated?).
DICTATED: Diagnosis: Angina question mark
TRANSCRIBED: Diagnosis: Angina?
or Diagnosis: ?Angina.
not Diagnosis: ?Angina?
NOTE: There is no space after the question mark in ?Angina.
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So in your example and with this explanation, it would be:
"before an uncertain symptom or diagnosis, i.e., ?mole, ?rash."
Regarding the arrow, if you are able to add that, then since he specifically requests it (and he's da boss), then I guess I'd say to do that. Is there a way you can directly communicate with him so that you could perhaps print out an example of a report that includes the use of the arrow and confirm with him that this is what he wants? If he reviews it and still wants it, then you know exactly what he's after. If he sees it and feels it doesn't appear as he imagined on the printed page, maybe something else can be worked out to highlight the pertinent information in another way.
Hope that helps,
Janie
[ 07-26-2003: Message edited by: janieg ]
