medical-transcription

WHAT IS MEDICAL TRANSCRIPTION?

Medical transcription is the typing of documents from dictated recordings by health professionals. Basically, any type of medical treatment, procedure, diagnostic test, etc. must be documented into a patient's permanent medical record. In order for this to be done in a legible, accurate fashion, health professionals dictate this specific information either into a digital or analog recorder and/or through the use of a phone dictation system. Transcriptionists then transcribe this information into a typed document, which is then forwarded to the dictator for review and signature. These documents then become part of a patient's permanent medical record. These documents can be discharge summaries, history and physicals, admission summaries, operative reports, expiration reports, office visits, diagnostic studies, consultations, referral letters, etc. To understand and accurately transcribe this dictated information into a document that is both accurate and comprehensible to the reader, a medical transcriptionist must have an in-depth understanding of medical terminology, anatomy, physiology, procedures, and treatment. Not only is it important to have an understanding of these components, but the transcriptionist must also be able to translate abbreviations and have the ability to reference terms through the use of printed and electronic reference materials. They must also have a vast knowledge of the English language relating to its usage regarding punctuation and grammar, and also have knowledge of the appropriate format or style that may apply to each specific document being transcribed. They must also possess the ability to overcome any obstacle to get the job done. This may include transcribing dictation by a dictator with an accent, dictation having background noise, or just restructuring what the dictator is saying so that it is presented in a concise, accurate manner without changing the ultimate meaning behind it. How a transcriptionist receives this dictation can be by several methods. Some dictators still use regular tape recorders using standard or micro size cassettes, which are then picked up by the transcriptionist, transcribed, and returned to the dictator. Although, this was the most prevalent five years ago, since digital and computer technology have come onto the seen, there are now new methods of receiving and transmitting dictation and transcripts that do not require you to leave your home. These methods can include the use of a dictation phone system whereby a dictator can pick up the telephone and dictate a report. The transcriptionist then access this system via a phone line. The dictation is then listened to via this transcriber, transcribed into a document, and the document can be sent back to the dictator via server. These voice files can then be transmitted directly to the transcriptionist's server, downloaded, transcribed using a PC based transcriber kit or WAV player, and returned to the dictator without having to leave your home. This is becoming the more prevalent method of doing medical transcription and is now allowing companies to hire transcriptionists living in any part of the country because these voice files can be downloaded via the use of the Internet or software programs that connect directly to a server. Regardless of how a transcriptionist receives their dictation, it is becoming more and more common for this profession. In any event, medical transcription is something that is done all over the world. It is also offering more opportunities than ever with this new technology and with the stringent health insurance guidelines health professionals are forced to follow. Also, with the largest sector of the population aging, unfortunately, more transcriptionists are necessary to fulfill the need for these documents to be produced. All in all, this is a great profession to work in if you have the discipline and will to proceed through the rigorous training necessary. If you feel you do, this can be a very gratifying and fulfilling profession not only relating to the fact that you can work from your home, but also because you will now have a skill that will allow you to work independently. This skill will also provide you with the security you desire for your future regardless of handicap, age, or gender. MEDICAL TRANSCRIPTION STATISTICS: Medical transcription is one of the fastest-growing professions in the country today as stated by the U.S. Department of Labor. It is ranked #14 in the top 25 professions. "Employment of medical transcriptionists is projected to grow faster than the average for all occupations through 2010" says the U.S. Department of Labor. Why such a rapid growth in this profession you might ask? This continuous growing demand for medical transcriptionists is attributed to a growing and aging population. Older age groups receive greater numbers of medical tests, procedures, etc. This growing demand is also spurred by the need for electronic documentation that can be easily accessed by providers, third-party payers, consumers, etc. Also, with the usual and customary medical insurance coverage for consumers now being managed healthcare, it is pertinent and of the utmost importance to be certain that every medical detail is documented both accurately and efficiently. This would then provide the most updated information available to healthcare insurance providers and other healthcare professionals that may be involved in a patient's care giving process in order to prevent treatment from being delayed or miscalculated due to lack of information available. VOICE RECOGNITION TECHNOLOGY ISSUES The advancements in voice recognition technology are not projected to significantly reduce the need for medical transcriptionists because they will still be needed to review and edit drafts for accuracy in the event a particular healthcare provider chooses to use such technology in specific instances. In spite of the advances in this technology, it has been difficult for the software to grasp and analyze the human voice and the diversity of both the English language and the medical language in its entirety. Because the final medical record that medical transcriptionists produce is of the utmost importance in the current and ongoing treatment of patients, this technology is not considered accurate enough to rely on. Because errors on such documents could be detrimental in the long run for most healthcare professionals and/or the patients themselves, most will not risk the unreliability versus the cost reduction.