Dictation for Transcription - Top Ten Tips

1. Use a noise-cancelling microphone if available. These cut down any background noise and aim to record only the voices speaking near to them.
   
   
2. Dictate in a quiet room, preferably alone and with as little background noise as possible. Avoid shuffling papers or tapping a keyboard while dictating as this can obscure your voice.
   
   
3. Speak clearly and don’t rush, although there’s no need to deliberately slow down from your normal speaking voice
   
   
4. You may not need to give any punctuation at all, as the transcriptionist can put this in for you, but if you’re going to give punctuation make sure you give ALL the punctuation. It’s quite disconcerting for the transcriptionist if you read a couple of paragraphs, then throw in the odd comma and full stop and then stop punctuating again. You can give all punctuation or just give full stops, quote marks and paragraphs, and allow the transcriptionist to decide where to put in commas, semi colons etc.
   
   
5. If you want the work produced to a standard format, send your transcriptionist a template or a copy of a piece of work formatted in the say way that you want this transcript formatted. Your transcriptionist can work to a variety of different templates provided by you. Just state which one at the beginning. E.g. ‘This is an email’ will tell the transcriptionist to use your email template.
   
   
6. Spell all names (at least the first time) including people’s and place names. Remember even ‘obvious’ names might be spelt more than one way e.g. Stephen Brown or Steven Browne.
   
   
7. If you require capitalisation of words that are not names do say so. Try to say the capitalisation before the word (e.g. ‘The (capital R) Regulations state that …’ instead of ‘The Regulations (capital R) state that …’ If you have words that, in your context are always going to be capitalised, you can say so at the beginning. ‘In the transcription the word Act will always be spelt with a capital letter.’
   
   
8. State ‘new heading’ when you want a new heading put in, prior to giving the heading title. E.g. ‘New heading: Focus Groups. To transcribe focus groups you will need …’ The Transcriptionist will then understand that ‘Focus Groups’ is the heading, and continue the remainder in a new paragraph below this.
   
   
9. If you want numbered paragraphs or a numbered list, state this before starting the list. E.g. ‘Numbered list. One. The bride’s veil. Two, the groom’s buttonhole’ will be transcribed as:
   
   1. The bride's veil
      
   2. The groom's buttonhole
   
   
10. If you make a mistake you can rewind and speak over the error to correct it, but if it’s only a small error it may be easier and less time-consuming to simply correct it on the tape e.g ‘Focus Groupings, sorry, Focus GROUPS, are easier to control if you …’ will be understood as ‘Focus groups will be easier to control if you …’

Penguin Transcription(http://www.penguin-transcription.co.uk), part of Penguin Office Services, offers an affordable transcription service by tailoring each quote to the exact requirements of the client. The more information the client can provide us with, and the better the quality of the recording for transcription, the more affordable the transcription service will be.

AUDIO TRANSCRIPTION NEEDS

Audio transcription is generally charged on an hourly rate. We may offer a "per minute of recording" rate if the proceedings have been professionally recorded and the quality is therefore very good.

Digital recordings will generally be of better quality than analogue ones. The length of time taken to transcribe recordings varies enormously, dependent on the following factors:

• clarity of the recording;
  
• clarity of the speaker(s);
  
• speed of speech;
  
• content of the recording;
  
• number of people speaking.

For your general guidance, we speak around four times faster than we can type, so a one-hour recording should take around four hours to transcribe (this is based on one person speaking clearly and following the guidelines given above). However, some good quality recordings will take less than this.

To keep transcription time to a minimum, try to bear in mind the following points for dictation:

• speak clearly, slowly and at an audible level;
• record in a quiet environment;
• spell out any technical words, names, etc.;
• start recording well before you speak;
• avoid using voice-activated recorders as these can often cut off the first few words.

Please remember, the better the sound quality on your recording, the less time it will take to transcribe. The above is given purely for guidance and time taken to transcribe recordings can vary, either way.

Source: http://www.premiertyping.com/

Medical Transcription Tips—Staying Organized

When operating a business, it is important to be organized. The day to day operations will run smoother if your "i's" are dotted and your "t's" are crossed. Here are a few tips to keep you organized when running a medical transcription business.

1. What day is it? Keeping a daily schedule of events will help you to manage your time. Since you are running an at home business, you are the secretary also. A desk calendar will give you the ability to look at the whole month at a glance when scheduling work over the phone. Your quick scribbles can then be transferred to a monthly planner that can be taken with you wherever you go. This avoids the problem of missed deadlines and too many projects scheduled at one time.
   
   
2. Invest in a filing cabinet. No office should be without one. Invoices and contracts should be filed appropriately so they are easily called upon if needed. Keep folders for each client. Any correspondence should be filed in these folders, too. Utilizing a filing system avoids a big pile of papers on the corner of your desk. Filing should be done on a weekly basis.
   
   
3. Invest in bookkeeping software. Programs like Quicken or MS Money should be purchased for your business. Good recordkeeping is vital to a strong business. Keep track of money coming in from clients and money going out for expenses like equipment and office supplies. An accurate accounting of your finances will make filing the yearly tax forms a breeze.
   
   
4. Install a separate telephone line. The important thing about establishing a business in your home is to keep it separate from all other household business affairs. The last thing you want is your young child answering a call from a client. A separate telephone line allows all calls related to the business to be routed to a separate answering machine so missed calls can be identified and promptly returned.
   
   
5. Purchase business cards. The point of any business is to grow. You never know who you may meet at a party or other event. Business cards are a great networking tool. They advertise what you are all about and can increase the client base for your particular services.

Your medical transcription business will grow by leaps and bounds with a little business savvy. Treat your home office as if it were a separate entity. To keep up with the changes, organization is needed to keep things from getting out of control.

For more information on starting a medical transcription online information and help getting started as an MT visit - http://www.askthemt.com/ - an informative website dedicated to answering all your medical transcription questions

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lisa_Croydon

Local medical transcription company generates 100 jobs, sets sights on 50 more

Wayland-based SOAP Transcription Services, Inc. recently opened a new training center in Holland. With that opening comes the opportunity to train and hire 50 medical transcriptionists. The company hopes to train and hire another 50 in 2008.

All of this is due to tremendous growth in the company since 2006, which generated 50 jobs and increased revenue 47 percent.

Medical transcription is a $25 billion business. The Department of Labor predicts an 18 percent to 26 percent growth in the industry. Part of the growth is because HIPAA regulations require all hospitals to convert medical records to digital format. Another reason is the country's aging population, which will create more medical records.

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FTP Hosting For Transcription

FTP Hosting – an overview

The term FTP stands for ‘File Transfer Protocol’. In this era of Internet technology transferring files over the Internet is a common phenomenon. FTP hosting service allows us to upload as well as download large amount of files by keeping necessary security measures. If you are unaware about FTP – you are missing something that can simplify the file exchange process of your business.

FTP hosting service comes with storage system where you can upload the copy of a file, irrespective of the size and content. This storage acts as FTP server or FTP Site. You can transfer the files efficiently from one location to another through this FTP server. People who are authorized to access your FTP server can download or delete the files.

Be it a small firm or large organization, companies are taking complete advantage of Internet technology in their business process. In general people are familiar with HTTP (Hyper Text Transfer Protocol), which comes with a set of rules for transferring files, irrespective of the content (text, image, video, audio, multimedia etc.). With the pace of time, people started realizing the importance of File Transfer Protocol in business process.

FTP hosting for business process

How can you think about transferring files in a secure mode without FTP? In a business process you need to exchange information from one node to another. That information may be simple text, image or a huge multimedia. In a business process you need to exchange files with vendors as well as clients and there is nothing better than FTP hosting service that takes complete care of your objectives. Be it a heavy engineering sector or a busy law firm, you can efficiently exchange the files through FTP hosting service.

FTP hosting works like blessing in Transcription business. Compared to other business processes, the size of each file is large in transcription business. Moreover, you need to exchange files efficiently with clients and transcriptionists. In a transcription business you need to maintain several accounts for the transcriptionists and clients. With FTP hosting service you can easily take manage the distribution of files between them. FTP hosting service not only allows you to exchange large files over the Internet but also provides the facility of creating multiple accounts to simplify the business process.

Internet based Transcription Business

The nature of transcription business has changed with the introduction of BPO (business Process Outsourcing) or KPO (Knowledge Process Outsourcing) in the business sector. Today transcription business services are done over the Internet to increase the pace of business process.

In general, we can categorize transcription services in five different sectors – Medical (Medical Transcription Services), Legal (Legal Transcription Services), General Business (Business Transcription Services), Digital (Digital Transcription Services) and Word Processing (Word Processing Services).

In Medical Transcription Service you have to transcribe medical reports, patient progress reports, reviews for the clients. Legal Transcription Services, on the other hand transcribes comprehensive legal reports and general correspondences. Digital Transcription Services create transcribed documents from audio files. In Word Processing Services you have to create research papers, manuals, database, desktop publishing and other types of documents. Therefore, FTP hosting service is necessary to exchange files and transcribed files between clients and transcriptionists.

Security feature in Transcription Business

Security is an important issue in Internet based transcription business. You need to maintain separate accounts for the transcriptionists to interact with the clients. FTP hosting services comes with the facility of separate FTP account. You can create as many accounts as you want for the transcriptionists. Each transcriptionist will interact with the client through his/her own account. Since passwords are unique for FTP accounts, therefore you can easily restrict transcriptionists to access the files from others’ FTP account. Moreover, a user cannot delete any file from FTP site without proper username and password.

Advantages of FTP Hosting in Transcription Business

By implementing FTP hosting service in the business, you can efficiently manage transcription services and improve the speed of the business process by maintaining required security. Other than transferring large files from one computer to another through FTP site, you can also send Emails with large attachments. Some common features are – Sending mail with attachment to several people (clients and transcriptionists). FTP service acts like magic for people who are using slow dial up links. They can efficiently download large files from FTP site irrespective of the dial up speed.

Finally, FTP hosting services comes with a web based interface through which you can administer all the FTP accounts in your business process. You have to provide separate FTP user account and password to each client to upload or download files from the FTP server. By this one client will never view the transcribed documents, which are uploaded in FTP site for other clients.

About the Author:

Mike Jewson is a Network Engineer with "InstantFTPsites.com". You can learn more about "FTP Hosting" services online at http://www.InstantFTPsites.com

Article Source: www.iSnare.com

Medical Transcription: Be in IT without being specialist

"Are you looking for more freedom, a better income and the benefits of being your own boss? Then consider this new avenue." - A commonly sighted advertisement in dailies and magazines. the profession that has fast emerged as an exciting opportunity to job-seeking individuals in the country today is indeed medical transcription.

But how exactly does the concept operate as a business? What are the basic requirements (educational) to start off as a medical transcriptionist? How do entrepreneurs get down to begin a venture? What are the infrastructural requirements? These are only some of the things that one needs to know in the first place.

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The Transcription Center Chooses Biscom for Managed File Transfer

CHELMSFORD, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Biscom Inc., a leading provider of enterprise fax and secure document delivery solutions, announced that the Transcription Center has selected the Biscom Delivery Server solution for secure delivery of audio files from physicians to the transcription service.

The Transcription Center receives dictation from their customers in the form of digital audio files, and then distributes these files to their staff of transcriptionists. Each file is transcribed into the appropriate text format and then returned to the customer.

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Medical Transcription Proofreading Tips

The correct attitude for a Medical Transcriptionist should be one of independence and responsibility for his or her work. Medical Transcriptionists function with a minimum of direct supervision. The majority do have an immediate supervisor “somewhere” responsible for quality control. Working as a professional Medical Transcriptionist means to take pride in the accuracy and completeness of your work. A professional gains satisfaction from a job well done.

Excellent proofreading skills are critical for a Medical Transcriptionist. Proofreading is looking for mistakes of all types in a transcribed document and correcting them. The most common errors a Medical Transcriptionist will be looking for include:

• Omission of important dictated words
• Selecting the wrong English or medical word
• Misspelling words
• Typographical errors
• Grammatical errors
• Punctuation errors

Proofreading skills will improve with practice. You will know what your areas of weaknesses are as you proofread and find your errors. If you find that you miss few medical words, but misspell many English words, you can improve by paying particular interest in English words as you transcribe and proofread dictation.

Consider the following four-step method to help you achieve the best results from your proofreading:

1. Look words up in reference books as you encounter them. Don’t wait until the end of the report. You will have forgotten how some of the words sounded. Search until you find and don’t go any further in your medical transcribing until you find the words you get stumped on. Leave a blank if you exhaust all resources and still cannot find your word.
2. Briefly proofread what you transcribe as it appears on the screen of your word processor or the paper you are typing on. This will help you catch missed words and typographical errors as they occur. Print out your reports on paper if you are using a word processor. It is easier to proofread the printed report on paper than it is on the screen.
3. If you just cannot find a word, leave a blank of an appropriate length, according to how long or short the word sounds. Attach a flag (a flag is a sheet of paper clipped to the report or a sticky note placed on the report which identifies all blanks, which lines of the report they are located on, and what the dictated word sounded like to you.
4. Use a medical or English spellchecker as the final step in proofreading. Spellcheckers will not catch errors such as transcribing no instead of not or transcribing ilium instead of ileum.

Excellent proofreading skills come only after continual practice to perfect. Consider the following tips:

• To avoid omitting important dictated words adjust the speed control on the transcriber unit and transcribe slowly to assure no dictated words are overlooked. Slowly increase your speed of the tape, which will increase transcription speed as you learn to keep up with the dictator.
• The tape recording (if you are transcribing from a tape) does not perfectly reproduce the human voice. Sometimes the words and phrases sound garbled or something quite different from what they really are. A Medical Transcriptionist should never transcribe what he or she “thinks” they hear. You should transcribe only what makes sense in the context of the report. Careful word searching and careful attention to word definitions help the Medical Transcriptionist to avoid selecting the wrong English or medical word. The wrong medical word can convey a wrong diagnosis for a patient. The error can be carried in the patient’s permanent medical record and cause extreme havoc and chaos. The professional Medical Transcriptionist NEVER transcribes anything that does not make sense and/or cannot be verified in a reference book. In other words, don’t just make up a word either just to fill in all the blanks. It is better to leave a blank.
• Misspelling of medical and English words can be avoided by careful proofreading and using a spellchecker.
• Typographical errors are usually the result of carelessness or attempts to type too fast rather than focusing on accuracy. Careful proofreading will eliminate typographical errors.
• Grammatical errors are hard to catch while transcribing and must be identified through careful proofreading.
• Punctuation errors can actually change the medical meaning of a sentence. Keep your punctuation references within easy reach.

About the Author:

Connie Limon, Medical Transcriptionist. Visit us at http://www.aboutmedicaltranscription.info for more information about the unique and rewarding career choice of Medical Transcription. Join Camelot Articles http://www.camelotarticles.com and submit your original articles for website promotion and backlinks.

Technology, outsourcing threatens medical transcription firms

Threats from voice-recognition software and cut-rate overseas firms have Wichita's medical transcription companies altering their focus to remain competitive.

"We've lost customers to technology," says Chris Gordon, director of operations for Physicians' Choice Transcription Inc. in Wichita. "In the end there's only so much you can do to stop it."

Physicians' Choice put together an informational guide to distribute to customers, outlining the advantages of traditional transcription services versus voice recognition and other technologies. Two larger firms in Colorado left Physicians' Choice earlier this year and opted for technologies that converted voice or commands from a touch screen into computer-written files.

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Medical Transcription Service - A Good Way to Work from Home

A medical transcription service requires good language and listening skills. It also needs a good knowledge of medical terms, their meaning and spellings. Work is not a problem. There's a flood of medical records to be transcribed. These records include medical history and physical reports, clinical notes, office notes, consultation notes, discharge summaries, letters, psychiatric evaluations, laboratory reports, X-ray reports, pathology reports etc. The money is good, and the business can be done from home.

Skills required

There are only two skills needed in a medical transcription service. The first is knowledge of medical terms, and the second is the ability to convert voice files into document files, which means you should be able to type as you listen. This is not difficult work.

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Medical Transcription To Outpace Call Center Activities In Philippines Says Goverment

Manila, Philippines (AHN) - Revenues from outsourced medical transcription services in the Philippines are expected to grow twofold each year in the next five years, the government's Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM) said.

As such, medical transcription revenues would even outpace growth in the high-status call center industry with an annual growth of 90 percent, CITEM added.

CITEM, an organizational unito of the Philippines Department of Trade and Industry, and the Medical Transcription Industry Association of the Philippines (MTIAPI) will send a delegation to the American Health Information Management Association convention in Philadelphia to draw more medical transcription jobs to the Philippines.

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Medical transcription course inaugurated

The State IT Mission, joining hands with Keltron, launched its medical transcription and psychometric profiling courses at Malappuram on Wednesday. District Collector Sumana N.Menon inaugurated the course.

District secretary of Akshaya project M.Salim said the classes will commence from November 15 at selected Akshaya centres in the district. If the course gets enough students, the Akshaya centres will also begin BPO units of multinational companies, which will provide job opportunities to many, he said.

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Audio Recordings for Transcription - How To Get The Best Results

Whether you are recording dictation, interviews, conferences, focus groups or meetings, it is important to know how to get the best quality recording, how to find a competent transcriptionist, and what sort of costs you are looking at.

The type of transcription depends on the type of recording equipment you have. You can record on to standard audiotape, micro or mini tapes, mini-disks and digital files, which the transcriptionist plays back on a computer. If you don't already have recording equipment, bear in mind that while a mini tape Dictaphone, for instance, might be much cheaper then a fully functional digital conference recorder with several external microphones, the quality of the cheaper instrument makes it suitable only for basic dictation.

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Sri Lanka gets ready to for medical transcription services

The national training authority in Sri Lanka and a private business process outsourcing (BPO) firm plans to increase training of medical 'transcriptionists' to help tap higher value BPO work.

BPO Services has tied up with the National Apprentice and Industrial Training Authority (NAITA) to provide free medical transcription (MT) training to students from rural areas who have potential and the necessary skills.

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Customers Say the Electronic Medical Record is the Safer Choice

The management of medical transcription, medicare billing, cpt codes, and other medical records has typically consisted of wall to wall files of paper records. According to a recent survey conducted by Accenture, most health care consumers feel that switching to the electronic medical record would improve the quality of health care and the security of their records.

Accenture was not the first to tap into the electronic medical record possibilities. Pres. Bush, quoting health care experts in January of 2005, said that the electronic medical record could reduce medical costs by 20%. In his State of the Union address in 2004, Bush said he would like to see all paper medical records converted to electronic medical records within 10 years.

Electronic Medical Records are “Preventative Medicine”

Pres. Bush has often referred to his proposals for changes in medical practice as “Preventative Medicine.” That title would be an accurate title for the way American health care consumers feel about switching to the electronic medical record. According to the Accenture survey, 92% of the respondents agreed that switching to the electronic medical record system would reduce health care errors. Not only do an overwhelming majority of health care consumers feel that health care errors would be reduced, but 93% of respondents feel that the switch to the electronic medical record would improve the overall quality of health care.

This is understandable for anyone who has had to go to the emergency room and wait for an undetermined amount of time to receive admission or proper treatment. Part of the reason for the delay is finding medical records. Doctors fear mistreatment of patients, and they avoid rushing into the treatment of patients for whom they have no records. An electronic medical record will move things along considerably. An electronic record can be transferred instantaneously between databases, providing faster and better treatment. Pres. Bush went so far as to say that more lives would be saved. Indeed, the electronic medical record seems to be the safer choice.

Health care consumers feel the same way about the electronic medical record improving the speed of health care. 78% of respondents to the Accenture survey believe that the electronic medical record “will reduce the amount of time patients spend waiting in doctors’ offices and emergency rooms.”

The Electronic Medical Record is a Preventative Medicine that is Not Only Safer but also Cheaper

Imagine reducing the cost of medical care, as Pres. Bush imagined. There could be many reasons why the faster, safer, electronic medical record reduces health care costs. Whatever the reason, consumers agree with Pres. Bush. In fact, 75% of the respondents to the Accenture survey also said that they believe the electronic medical record will reduce medical costs.

The change to an electronic medical record system is very much a business and consumer affair. Pres. Bush’s “preventative medicine” could provide a safer, faster, cheaper, and overall higher quality health care system.

About the author:
Joe Miller is an online advertiser and author of informational articles on medical software. More information on the Electronic Medical Record is available at AdvancedMD.com.

Source: http://theonline-medical-transcription-services.com/

Company offers transcription in the digital age

From the explanation of a diagnosis to the logic behind prescribing a medication, doctors and their staffs depend on the transcription of medical notes.

"One of the maxims that runs through medicine is: If it's not documented, you didn't do it," said Dr. Jeffrey Storey, an OB/GYN at Cheyenne Women's Clinic.

In most cases, a doctor talks into a voice recorder and then a medical assistant or trained transcriptionist types out the notes.

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Medical transcription industry has possibilities for Barbados, says deputy PM

According to Deputy Prime Minister, Mia Mottley, Barbados has chosen the right path in establishing a training programme for individuals in the medical transcription field -- i.e. translating from oral to electronic form the record of a person’s medical history, diagnosis, treatment, prognosis and outcome.

Speaking on Wednesday during the official ceremony for the opening of the Medical Transcription Training Centre at Harbour Industrial Park, St Michael, she noted that there would always be the need for persons in this field.

“This is an industry that is not sensitive to recession, because the one sure thing is, all of us need to see a doctor at some point," Mottley said.

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Volunteer your Way to Medical Transcription Job Opportunities

As soon as you are ready to find medical transcription job opportunities, volunteer your time, effort and resources to establish your professionalism. Seek out and join a local chapter of the American Association of Medical Transcriptionists (AAMT) in your area, and ask how you may be of help to your local chapter. Volunteers are always needed and will be welcomed with open arms. This is a terrific way to brand yourself as a person who is serious about the medical transcription career. Veteran medical transcriptionists will take notice of you, and that will open the doors to medical transcription job opportunities in the future.

When seeking medical transcription job opportunities, market yourself to local medical transcription agencies. Set up an appointment or interview, if possible. Expand your network by talking to everyone you can in the medical transcription field and let them know that you are willing to do whatever it takes, including volunteer work, to get your foot in the door. Do not forget to thank those who have helped you along the way.

Medical transcription job opportunities are everywhere; use some unique strategies to find them. Look for a local situation that may be of benefit to you. For example, in the 1990s, the County of Orange in California declared bankruptcy. I contacted the Sheriff-Coroner's Office only to discover that all but one full-time medical transcriptionist had been laid off and there was a nine month backlog of autopsy reports. Nine months! After interviewing there and receiving a great reception, I worked there every Saturday for almost a year and received a wonderful education in Pathology terminology. This was the best experience I ever had. Plus, the sole medical transcriptionist was nearing retirement which put me in a great position if I were offered the job.

In your search for medical transcription job opportunities, ask your instructors if they need some help with transcribing classroom assignments. When I was an MT student, I remember how bad the assignment copies were. After I completed the medical transcription course, I word processed the assignments, corrected the mistakes that had been in them, and then took them to a print shop for reprinting and binding. Then I sent these to my medical transcription instructor. It was a way to thank her for all she had done for me. I also helped my medical terminology instructor, who was writing a book. I word processed the medical reports for her medical terminology book. I was working full time as a medical transcription and word processor, but I made the time to pay back these wonderful professionals who gave me a great education.

Volunteering is a networking strategy used to find unadvertised medical transcription job opportunities. Not many people employ this technique. Although you may not get immediate results from your efforts, people will see you as a serious medical transcriptionist and admire your professional tenacity in your job search. The word will get out that you are looking for a MT job, and soon you will find what you are looking for: medical transcription job opportunities.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/

Mary Ruff-King is a veteran MT who helps new MTs with tips on how to find medical transcription job opportunities. Other tips on how to find medical transcription job opportunities are provided at MT Mastery Center.

Conference Transcription – What the conference organiser needs to know

This article aims to provide advice to conference organisers in obtaining transcription that is accurate, timely and complete. It suggests ways in which the conference organiser can help the transcriptionist to ensure that the transcription is good quality and free of errors.

The most important piece of advice I would give as a transcriptionist is that if you’re going to have your conference transcribed you should arrange for completion of the transcription even before the conference even takes place! Of course you are going to want to send the transcript (or your interpretation of it) out to your speakers and delegates as soon as possible after the conference takes place, but a conference is a significant chunk of work to transcribe.

Let’s take an example of a conference where the talks (and possible workshops etc.) total 5 hours. Even if you have excellent audio recording equipment and supremely clear speakers, with minimal question and answer sessions or workshops (the point of which I will explain in a moment) the time taken to transcribe is going to be four times as long as the recording – so you’re looking at an absolute minimum length of time taken in this example of 20 hours. Twenty hours of work is probably a minimum of three days work for one person, and there’s a very good chance it will take longer.

Now if you start ringing round transcription companies once you have the recording ready to send, and you’re hoping to have the transcript returned to you in two or three days, you’re probably going to be out of luck. A good, established transcription company, employing fully trained and competent transcriptionists who are able not just to type but also to proof-read and edit, recognise the correct homophones (words that sound the same but are spelt differently), and punctuate English correctly, is probably not going to be sitting there waiting for your call. Although you might strike lucky they will probably be booked up for at least a few days!

So if you book in your recording before the conference and agree to send it on a certain date, they will be able to turn it around for you much faster.

Now, why might it take longer than four times the length of the recording? There are wide variety of reasons. Four times is the industry standard for a good, clear one-to-one interview with no background noise, good recording quality and no strong accents. It also does not take into account the possibility of specialist or technical terms, with which the transcriptionist will need to become familiar. So if you have any of those issues there will be extra time involved.

Question and answer sessions are often tricky because of the range of different voices involved. This applies to the audience but also to a panel if you are having panel sessions.

What can you do to reduce the time and therefore the cost? Firstly you can make sure that you have ‘roaming microphones’ that can be carried around the audience, so that questions are actually audible on the recording. Also a good conference recording set-up so that your main speakers can be clearly heard and individual microphones for each member of the panel.

Another very useful tip is to provide the transcriptionist with both a speaker list and a delegate list. Then during the conference ask the chairman to ask all delegates to state their name and position before asking the question. The transcriptionist may not be sure of the spelling but can then refer back to the delegate list to insert the correct spelling into the transcript. The same applies, of course, to speakers.

It is also very useful to provide the transcriptionist with any supporting material on the conference that you have available as this will help to establish ‘key words’, words that may be not in common usage but particularly relevant to the topic of the conference. A good transcriptionist will also probably be able to search out most unusual words using Google or a similar search engine, but this takes extra time, and if you have already provided material to help time will be saved.

Finally, if at all possible (and you may be at the mercy of the conference venue) make a digital recording, rather than a recording on cassette tapes. Digital recordings have a variety of advantages (please see some of my other articles for details) but importantly they are usually better quality than tapes and they can be worked on by more than one transcriptionist at the same time, meaning that your transcription will be completed sooner.

Source: http://www.articlealley.com/

Is Medical Transcription Certification Necessary?

Becoming a certified medical transcriptionist is really a personal choice. At present, there is no requirement for MTs to become certified at this time.

To become certified you will need to pass an exam given by the AAMT (American Association of Medical Transcriptionists). This is a two part exam, written and practical and takes about 5 to 6 hours to complete. It is a very in depth exam and most MTs take a prep course before taking the exam.

The exam consists of two parts. The first part is a written exam which consists of 120 multiple choice questions about anatomy, physiology, medical terminology, English and grammar, etc.

The second part of the exam is a practical test where you transcribe several different reports.

Once certified it means you can use the letters “CMT” (certified medical transcriptionist) behind your name. You must recertify every 3 years.

Certification is highly regarded in some circles of the MT field and some MTs believe it opens doors for better opportunities.

Personally, I feel medical transcription certification is a personal choice. Although, certification gives you the opportunity to prove your skills as an MT, not being certified does not take away from them.

I have never run across a physician or account manager who has asked me whether I am certified or not. They are merely interested that I can efficiently complete the work, follow all the privacy regulations and charge them a reasonable rate.

I don’t know of any MTs who have lacked opportunities due to not being certified either. Again, the choice is a personal one and for some it is a great sense of personal achievement.

If you do decide to become certified, it will be a great personal achievement. It will take a time and financial commitment. At present, the AAMT fee for the CMT exam for US and Canada is $195 US dollars for AAMT members and $275 for non AAMT members. You must also have 2 years experience working as an MT.

About the Author:

Mila Sidman is an experienced MT and owner of http://www.AskTheMT.com - an informative website dedicated to answering all your medical transcription questions.

The Medical Transcriptionist’s Role With The Healthcare Record

The healthcare record is:

• Chronological
• Documents of a patient’s initial database
• Initial evaluation
• Identified problems and needs
• Objectives of care
• Prescribed treatment
• Results

The healthcare record belongs to the hospital, medical facility or office where it originated. It cannot be removed from the premises without a subpoena or court order. Although much of the healthcare record is maintained through computer software systems, most medical care facilities still maintain a “paper” healthcare record of some sort.

The healthcare record is maintained by the Health Information Department of hospitals and medical facilities and usually headed by a registered record administrator or an accredited record technician.

A former term for the healthcare record for over fifty years was “Medical Record.” The new term of healthcare record denotes both illness and wellness. The Medical Record Department name has also changed to Health Information Department.

What is the purpose of a healthcare record?

It is a measurement and documentation of care rendered in a medical facility. The healthcare record is used to plan, communicate and evaluate the quality of care given to each patient. It provides “proof” of work done for each patient. Documents are required to meet federal, state, and JCAHO (Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations) standards and regulations. In addition the documents contained in a healthcare record must meet regulations for reimbursement and third-party payer requirements.

The healthcare record is kept for legal protection for:

• The medical care facility
• The patient
• The staff
• The physician

The healthcare record can be used for:

• Research
• Compiling statistics
• Evaluation of healthcare delivery

The healthcare record originates:

• In the admissions department of hospitals
• Outpatient registration
• Emergency department
• Private physician facilities reception area

The major role of all departments of healthcare record origins is to:

• Collect patient identification and demographic information
• Correct spelling of patient’s legal name and birth date is critical

The information collected is used to assign healthcare record numbers and is maintained for the lifetime of the patient. It is vital that the medical transcriptionist transcribe the identification and demographic information concerning a patient with complete accuracy as well as all other physician dictated reports. A transcribed incorrect date of birth or patient number can produce chaos in the Health Information Department and throughout the medical facility.

Connie Limon, Medical Transcriptionist. Visit us at http://www.aboutmedicaltranscription.info for more information about the unique and rewarding career choice of Medical Transcription. Visit Camelot Articles http://www.camelotarticles.com for a variety of FREE reprint articles for your newsletter, web sites or blogs.

Medical Transcription Tips—Staying Organized at Home

When operating a business, it is important to be organized. The day to day operations will run smoother if your “i’s” are dotted and your “t’s” are crossed. Here are a few tips to keep you organized when running a medical transcription business.

1. What day is it? Keeping a daily schedule of events will help you to manage your time. Since you are running an at home business, you are the secretary also. A desk calendar will give you the ability to look at the whole month at a glance when scheduling work over the phone. Your quick scribbles can then be transferred to a monthly planner that can be taken with you wherever you go. This avoids the problem of missed deadlines and too many projects scheduled at one time.
   
   
2. Invest in a filing cabinet. No office should be without one. Invoices and contracts should be filed appropriately so they are easily called upon if needed. Keep folders for each client. Any correspondence should be filed in these folders, too. Utilizing a filing system avoids a big pile of papers on the corner of your desk. Filing should be done on a weekly basis.
   
   
3. Invest in bookkeeping software. Programs like Quicken or MS Money should be purchased for your business. Good record keeping is vital to a strong business. Keep track of money coming in from clients and money going out for expenses like equipment and office supplies. An accurate accounting of your finances will make filing the yearly tax forms a breeze.
   
   
4. Install a separate telephone line. The important thing about establishing a business in your home is to keep it separate from all other household business affairs. The last thing you want is your young child answering a call from a client. A separate telephone line allows all calls related to the business to be routed to a separate answering machine so missed calls can be identified and promptly returned.
   
   
5. Purchase business cards. The point of any business is to grow. You never know who you may meet at a party or other event. Business cards are a great networking tool. They advertise what you are all about and can increase the client base for your particular services.

Your medical transcription business will grow by leaps and bounds with a little business savvy. Treat your home office as if it were a separate entity. To keep up with the changes, organization is needed to keep things from getting out of control.

Source: http://www.askthemt.com/organized-medical-transcription-at-home.html

Medical transcription industry has possibilities for Barbados, says deputy PM

According to Deputy Prime Minister, Mia Mottley, Barbados has chosen the right path in establishing a training programme for individuals in the medical transcription field -- i.e. translating from oral to electronic form the record of a person’s medical history, diagnosis, treatment, prognosis and outcome.

Speaking on Wednesday during the official ceremony for the opening of the Medical Transcription Training Centre at Harbour Industrial Park, St Michael, she noted that there would always be the need for persons in this field.

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Tips on Finding Medical Transcription Technician Jobs

The medical industry is booming these days. Medical professionals are in high demand; if you open up the newspaper and flip to the classifieds, the section you will find the most full of HELP WANTED ads the medical section. RPN nurses wanted, LPN nurses wanted. Doctors wanted. Pediatricians wanted. Medical coders wanted. Medical Transcription Technicians Wanted. Dental Transcription Technicians Wanted.

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Medical Transcription Tips For Word Searching

Word searching is locating the medical word that is correct both in spelling and meaning. This is a Medical Transcription skill that takes time and practice to develop.

Tip #1:

If you find yourself unable to locate a medical word in your reference books, it might be the word has an initial letter different than the sound or initial letter you hear. For example, the v sounds very much like that of f, the letter m may actually be an x (xiphoid) and the k might be ch (ischemic).

In addition, medical terms that contain silent letters such as euthyroid, herniorrhaphy, pneumonia or words frequently mispronounced such as menstruation present a unique challenge for the Medical Transcriptionist.

Experience is often more the teacher in using available resources. The longer you remain a Medical Transcriptionist, the more proficient you will become in determining sound-alikes and locating terms with silent letters.

Tip #2:

When you are unable to locate a phrase under a particular entry, look under a related entry.

Tip #3:

When you hear a phrase you cannot understand, look first under the noun and not the adjective. Nouns usually follow adjectives. An example: If you are looking for bullous emphysema, look under emphysema (the noun) and not bullous. To find particular diseases such as Parkinson's disease, look under disease.

An exception to the above tip is that in Latin phrases, the noun is followed by the adjective such as "fascia lata," and "ligamentum flavum." You would look under the first word with Latin phrases. Bacterial names are another exception in that the genus is given first, followed by the species: Neisseria gonorrhoeae.

If you exhaust all you know to do when word searching on the job, a Medical Transcriptionist should:

1. seek another transcriptionist's opinion
2. refer to the patient's chart
3. contact the dictating physician for clarification
4. leave a blank in the report and attach a note so that the dictator may insert the correct word

If you leave a blank in the report, you should flag the report by attaching a note with a paperclip. The note should list all blanks left in the report, and giving as many details as possible for ease of identification such as page and line number. The Medical Transcriptionist may also give a phonetic spelling of what the word or words sounded like to assist the dictator in filling in the blank or blanks.

The main thing to remember about word searching is to never guess at a word. A blank in the medical report does not reflect poorly on the Medical Transcriptionist who thoroughly researched for the words and exhausted all else before leaving the blank. Leaving a blank is the correct thing to do. Integrity and accuracy of the medical report is much more important than presenting documents that never leave blanks.

Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/

About the Author:
Connie Limon, Medical Transcriptionist. Visit us at http://www.aboutmedicaltranscription.info for more information about the unique and rewarding career choice of Medical Transcription. Visit Camelot Articles http://www.camelotarticles.com for a variety of FREE reprint articles for your newsletter, web sites or blogs.

GotVoice Offers Automated Voicemail Transcription Service

GotVoice, a start-up based in Kirkland, Washington, has enhanced its web-based voicemail service with a new transcription capability that automatically checks voice messages from a user's mobile, home and office phones and then sends an SMS and/or email with the transcribed text. The transcribed message, along with the associated voicemail audio file, can be reviewed and searched via the service's web interface.

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