Serving Over 20,000 US Medical Transcriptionists

Medical Transcription Discussion Forums:

General Discussion Forums:

Recently Viewed Messages: (An archive of over 1 million messages related to medical transcription industry)

Coding and VR - Posted By: MTSOO

It occurs to me that since coding is the up and coming field in which to go, why isn't that already automated? Since VR is coming at us at warp speed and entails much more than coding, why is that coding is not the first to be peopleless? Any ideas?

Board has over 100,000 posts now!!! - Posted By: WOW... NM

//

Any editors go back to typing and realize they are sloooooow now? - Posted By: SM

I do not know what the deal is, but I can only do about a THIRD of what I used to do. VERY frustrating. Anyone else have this problem or am I a lone dummy? I feel so worthless lol!!

Advance magazine? Anyone notice the letter to the editor? - Posted By: SDGal

It's on page 5 entitled Does Walmart or Home Depot pay better?......Gee, I wonder what company this person is talking about? Okay, which one of you sent this in? hahaha!

Well, while everything the writer of this letter says is true about the company, I think we all know most of us make a bit more than 8 to 10 bux an hour. For myself, it's about twice that. If I really were only making that for what I'm doing, I WOULD head over the the Walmart or Target. I would NOT do this for 10 bux an hour NO WAY in HE double toothpicks!

A must read for our profession...any thoughts? - Posted By: MTthink

http://www.medrecinst.com/pages/libArticle.asp?id=28

We must be more open-minded and willing to adapt. MQ actually may have the right idea.

This is an excerpt from what is, in my opinion, a reliable source:

In the US, transcription will morph over time, and ultimately, transcription as we know it now will be thought of as an archaic, cumbersome, expensive, inefficient, and inadequate part of the healthcare documentation process. How long will this take? Probably decades more, but within the next decade there will be increasing evidence of its decline.

The decline in medical transcription will not be seen immediately through dramatic changes in the numbers of MTs, or the money spent in the industry, or the number of reports transcribed. Rather, the initial evidence will be the increasing interest in and adoption of new technologies that offer direct, real-time, point-of-care documentation methods; this has already begun. The handwriting is on the wall, and anyone who has analyzed it will have to take notice: it is not speech recognition, but the opportunities that mobile health care brings to practitioners that will be the biggest threat to transcription. Although mobile health care is in its infancy, it seems clear that, in the future, practitioners will capture information at the point of care and largely without transcription.

At first, these changes will be enhanced by transcription, but more and more they will be facilitated by structured interactive dialogs, decision-support tools, speech recognition, and natural language processing, as well as XML-based processing tools. There will be no dramatic date on which history will look back and say, this is when transcription died. Rather, it will be a slow process. Some might call it an insidious process, but that implies intent, and I don�t believe the intent is any longer there, though it certainly was in the past.

Florida rates - Posted By: Expander

I have been asked to bid a hospital HIM/RIS account in Florida, which is outside my home state. Does anyone have an idea about the Transcriptionist compensation in Florida and/or the rate for transcription work there? I am in the mid West and know there is a difference.

Thanks, looking for business

need help on word board please! - Posted By: ginny

radMT vs med rec MT sm - Posted By: radMTfor15years

Anyone out there ever done radiology transcription and then went to medical records??? I've done radiology MT for 15 years, the past three or four years has been IC status. I found an opening at our local hospital for med. rec transcription and considering applying for it. I know after so long, they let their transcriptionists go home and work. It'd be nice to work for a company that takes out taxes and all that stuff. My only problem is we don't have fast speed here where I live. But just curious about anyone that went from rad to med rec typing, and if it's much harder.

thanks!

Need advice on what to do with a cat. sm - Posted By: M

I just went through a divorce last year, so financially I haven't exactly gotten my feet completely on the ground yet, and then in September I started running out of work which made things a lot worse. (I work for MQ). I just sold my house, and I am moving into an apartment where the rent is half my mortgage. I plan to go back to school so I can get out of MTing all together.

My problem is this stray cat that I have. He started hanging around our neighborhood a few years ago. He is the sweetest thing. I didn't want a cat at all, but my kids started giving him hot dogs, and he has never left. He's a great cat, never messes in the house, never scraches the furniture, and loves my kids. I got him fixed 4 months ago in anticipation of making him a housecat so that we could take him to the apartment with us, but so far it hasn't worked.

He has his routine: Every morning he follows all the neighbor kids to whichever car in the carpool on the block is taking them to school and then watches them leave. He toms around the neighborhood all day, and then when I get home from picking the kids up from school, he is always on my front porch. Then he spends the entire afternoon going in and out the front door with the kids.

I've tried keeping him in the house and not letting him leave, and he cries and cries. Then when I get exasperated and finally let him out, he just lays down on the front porch and goes to sleep.

I don't know what to do with him. It is breaking my heart that I'm probably going to have to find a home for him. Any ideas on how to make him a housecat?

I never even got any time off this summer. - Posted By: What's the point?

I worked more hours than usual instead of cutting back. Now, summer is almost gone, and I still can't take any time off.

Does anyone travel with their laptop - Posted By: gotlatte

and use a Sprint broadband card for internet access, or one of the other company broadband cards. Just wondered how it worked for you for traveling and if you can use it on the road? I've been trying to research this but not really finding the answers. From what I read, if there is good cell phone signal you should be able to get service, but the guy from Sprint told me that his parents tried it down the road in Nebraska and did not work, and I asked why since it said on the site that you would get service if the cell coverage is there, maybe just not as fast as in a city such as Lincoln or Omaha, and he didn't know why but said I could try it out for 30 days. Thought maybe some of you road warriors would have some suggestions. I would like to stay with my mom and use something like this since she doesn't have internet. Thanks for any suggestions if anyone has used this particular method for working.

Question for people who have gone from IC to employee. sm - Posted By: searching

How difficult was it for you? Did you succeed? I am considering trying to go back to full time with benefits, but have been an IC with flexibility for so long, I'm not sure I can get back into the harness. Is it even possible? TIA.

help on word board grip strength - Posted By: test. thanks!!!

nm

Animal question...sm - Posted By: PAMT~MDM

I was always under the impression that cats had to be at least 6 months old before they could be "fixed". I was on the SPCA website for our area last evening reading their info and it said kittens older than 6 weeks must be spade or neutered within 6 weeks of adoption. Isn't that a little young?

Just curious.

Will someone PLEASE help me? - Posted By: GI MT

Will someone please tell me how you email someone from the board? TIA

I did it!!! - Posted By: WOOOOHOOOO FOR JODI!!!!

I put him out this morning. He was very angry needless to say. He did, however, take the truck that is in my name, leaving me car-less. No big deal, at least he's out. I just had to come on here before I leave for the court house to let you all know that you were the last kick in the bottom that I needed to do this. I could not shame my fellow MTs by doing nothing. I've done nothing for five years. It may not be over, but HE'S OUT!! I'm scared of retaliation, so I'm going to get the Order of Protection this right now! Keep that support coming. I swear it and all the prayers have helped me. You guys are the greatest!!!

All things being equal, do you prefer to work with a C-phone or use WAV files over the internet? sm - Posted By: anon

What are some of the advantages and disadvantages of each. I have only ever used a c-phone but think I may bet getting ready to use WAV files and foot pedal for an account and am a little anxious! TIA

SETTING UP A QA PROGRAM - Posted By: Quality gal

Need some ideas/suggestions for setting up a very tight QA program. I have no idea where to start with this one. Any help is appreciated.

keys on the keyboard sticks - Posted By: Judy

The keys on the keyboard tend to stick at times, but they are intermitent. Does anyone else have that problem? I bought a new keyboard. Please help.. Any advice at all would be greatly appreciated.

How do I copy my resume from Word into the - Posted By: small boxes on the Job Seekers' board sm

without screwing up all the alignment and getting all the lines mixed together. I don't use Word too much except for transcription and this is probably basic. I know how to copy the resume, and paste it into the box. That's where it all goes wrong

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY from all the staff at MTStars! - Posted By: Administrator nm

Software for foot pedals? sm - Posted By: tia

If I would purchase an Infinity foot pedal, would I be able to use it with any software, such as Expresscribe or my MP3 player? Or does it come with some type of software.

Still afraid to purchase a foot pedal as I bought one last year and it just sits here because I can't get it to work. Tried it with Expresscribe and get a message that the connection is not recognized (USB port).

Thanks

Does MQ in Monrovia pay for spaces - do you have this ans in writing? - Posted By: ?

?

First day blues - Posted By: Sigher

I started training my first day yesterday, no phone conversations, just numerous emails and templates/samples that were kind of confusing and had extensive header information that needed to be completed. Well, I went in under the wrong number on the system, not routed work and there were some formatting problems as well but it was my first day.

Well, I was happy when I finished, thought my work was good and all was well in the world only to wake up this morning to a really rough email. I know I made some formatting mistakes but geesh, it was my first day and this is training. I emailed and said how sorry I was for the misunderstanding on my part, explained how it would not happen again (and believe me it won't, I'm not the type to make repetitive errors), well that was this morning and I've heard nothing from the company since then, I've left three emails and a phone message (nobody picked up the phone on their end) and now I don't know what to think. I would hate to think I got canned on the first day for formatting! Content was fine.

I thought training was to work out the kinks...expecting all wouldn't be perfect, there is a learning curve. I'm so disheartened. Sorry for venting but maybe you all feel my pain.

Need C-phone repair in Los Angeles area. - Posted By: sara

Do you know anyone who repairs C-phones in the 323 area code in Los Angeles. Thanks in advance.

Does anyone know why .. - Posted By: Evelyn

my font style changes at the beginning of an MS Word document?

I have a template from the company I have to use, just the heading and footer of office letterhead is on this template. The date at the beginning does fine, in TNR as it is supposed to do. But when i enter down 4 spaces and start to type the font changes to Arial. I have to manually change back to TNR.

I can't for the life of me figure out why the font changes, the body is supposed to be typed all in TNR.

Any clues?

Thanks.

Working for a national, do you ever feel you can't ask for - Posted By: ICMT

an increase in pay because you're concerned you'll price yourself right out of a job?

I make 9 cents a line IC. I get my line count pumped up to where I want by hard work on the accounts I'm working. I get pretty efficient in that account and then I get pushed to different work where I have to start all over again and work really hard to make a decent line count. It's seemed to happen again, so I'm thinking about requesting a pay increase but then I start thinking that I'm already at a "better than most" pay from what I've seen posted here and elsewhere. What do you think? I'm interested in opinions if anyone will share. Thanks.

Another expander question - please help! - Posted By: Molly

I have (and contintue to) create lots of expanders. What I need to know is do you focus on certain types of words/phrases and don't bother to make Expanders for others?

I have so many now, that I have had to deviate from my pattern so many ways, that I too often waste time trying to figure out if I have an expansion (as it could be one of 5 or so patterns). I'm sure I could have done a bit better job of creating them had I really understood where it would lead when I started; however, if one makes them for all the various phrases, etc., there is no way not to deviate from more than one pattern.

I have many accounts and endless dictators which, I'm sure, adds to the problem, but if you can give me examples of what sort of words/phrases you might simply not bother to make expanders for, it might help me gain some perspective. I'm quite sure if I let go of it a little and just resign that it's okay to straight type certain things, I would be farther ahead.

I wish I could think of some examples of the complications I run across while working, but you all must know what I am talking about if you have tried to make expanders for "everything."

Thanks for any help you can give me!!

LX 231 Ovation - Posted By: PTS

Can anyone help me hook up an LX 231 Ovation station? There seems to be an extra cord.

I have a computer question..sm - Posted By: Bunzy

I want to start working on my laptop, but how do I transfer the program I work on, escription, over to another computer?

Virus after downloading DQS from website - Posted By: Virus

Has anyone lately downloaded DQS from their website?
I down loaded two computers (PC and laptop). Both were
infected from a virus found in the WEBCORRECT.exe file.

Anyone else encounter this problem? My virus program isolated the virus and then I deleted the file. I forgot to write
down the virus, something like Trojan Backhorse? Not really sure.

Using both headphones/speakers - Posted By: frances

On the same subject sort of, I have my headphones plugged into speakers so that I can unplug them and listen through speakers. How can I do both, i.e. have internet radio in the background while I transcribe with headphones on? Thanks

How does Dragon work? - Posted By: KYradMT

Has anyone used "Dragon" VR - and if so, how does it work? Is it worth shelling out the big bucks for?

UPSET - Posted By: SAD MTSO

Here we go. The first account I tried to get, I am outbid by India. I am laying off five employees because the India transcription services can bill my customers at 5 an 6 cents. I hope they enjoy each other. I am bitter. I am sad. My employees are also my friends........The government needs to do something.

What do you do when (sm) - Posted By: Becky

a doctor asks you to put a false transcription date on a report? I type for a group of cardiologists and one of them told me to do this so it will look like his reports were transcribed within a day or two of the actual test date. Isn't this illegal? I feel like it is flat out lying and would certainly be unethical. Has anyone ever had to do this?

MA passed law stating all residents MUST - Posted By: carry health ins...

or they will be fined $1,000 per year. Poverty level up to 4 times poverty level (for family of four) you will receive free or subsidized care. All other residents must either have health insurance through their employer or individual policy. My question is, what if you just cannot afford it???? There are many reasons some above poverty level cannot afford coverage, such as family history. This law stinks. I'm sure there was heavy insurance company lobbying on this one. Once again the little guy gets

Is this really normal? - Posted By: Burnt-out MT

I've been with my current national for a year now, and I'm burnt out. I do acute care work, struggle with lots of ESLs, and work on several different accounts. For the past 6 months or so, work has been very low on my primary, and I bounce around from account to account, and I only work part-time. I hate that. I wish I had a primary that kept me busy and only in rare instances would I have to work on my secondary or tertiary and so on. Instead, I may work on 4 different accounts in one day just to get in 500 lines, and of course it takes me longer to do that on accounts other than my primary because those accounts have a lot more doctors. Getting the same ones isn't a daily occurrence, and if you do, they're the difficult dictators. Is this normal? It's hard for me to shop around and look for a better national to work for because I don't have high-speed internet access, and some not only want high-speed access, but they also are very specific about what type you need to work for them. I feel stuck, but I am grateful to have a job and that it's not flipping burgers or working in retail. Been there, done that....in my youth.

phone rage - Posted By: Snow Bunny

If you've ever been frustrated by those automated phone menus, there�s an easy solution. Find out how to talk to an actual person right away.

http://paulenglish.com/ivr/

Question about microsoft word??? - Posted By: ALMT

Okay I am typing a interview and am wondering how to get all the words to automatically tab over so I don't go back and have to do it manually. It's like this

Interviewer: Response XXXXXXXXXXXXXX ffadXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

and all words of response need to be under the response. Hope that makes sense.

www.oceangram.com - Posted By: Misha

If you want lose all the free time you now enjoy, do visit this website:

www.oceangram.com

You can turn on the wave sounds, gull sounds, and fog horn, and then wait for messages to come in. Or click a bottle and send out your own.

Let me know if you see any Burma-Shave messages. I might know who is sending those out.

Looking for a really good Neuromuscular book - Posted By: MTmom

Looking for something that has muscular dystrophy, ALS, tests, antibodies all sorts of stuff. I am currently typing for a neuromuscular clinic that deals with all sorts of things. Would like a good book for references so I don't have to keep skipping screens to Google all the time. Any suggestions? Thanks in advance.

For Newbie Needs Help - One more thing - Posted By: working925

I should have mentioned one of the most important things of all . . . buy a good headset. The better/more clearly you hear the dictation, the easier your job will be. I just bought a new set for myself Koss DC/10 -- they are the best I have ever used and under run about $20.00. A really good headset can make all the difference! Again -- Welcome to the club. Glad to have you. =)

What to do? (sm) - Posted By: Canned beets

I can't remember for sure but I don't recall cooking beets out of a can. Instructions say to microwave. Seems I remember just putting in vinegar. Can't remember if I added anything else like sugar or anything. I don't like them and don't buy them often. I'm fixing them for my son who loves them. Any suggestions? Thanks.

Oh happy day! sm - Posted By: justme2

I just finished transcribing a job from a doctor who ENUNCIATES, spells names, and didn't rush through the job. I wish I could tell him how much I appreciated it, but fellow transcriptionists, there is at least one good dictator out there. Yippee!!!');>

My expansions on MQ's server - Posted By: MQer

Conditions at my local MQ ofc have deteriorated to the point where I am ready to throw in the towel and look elsewhere. My question: I am using my own computer. Is it possible to retrieve/print out my Expanders and shortcuts that I made up myself before I leave. I've only worked for MQ, and imagine I've accumulated over 2000 of these shortcuts. I know they are on my hard drive, but I have no program that will enable me to access them. Does anyone know of any such animal? Secondarily, has anyone ever left one MQ ofc for another, or just plain asked to be switched to other accounts. TIA

Men appear to be making more income in this industry - Posted By: Men showing favortism

I have worked with a guy here and there. It amazes me that they are able to make more. In one position, there was a guy in a position to distribute work who funneled the canned op reports (vasectomies primarily) to one guy on my account. Another is one I am working with now who somehow convinced those hiring him that he required a certain amount of money to raise a family. And he gets it. Seems to me that this is favortism. The "it's a man's world" frame of mind.

Has anyone else experienced this?

To SAD NEWBIE - Posted By: sm

i glanced at the main responses to your post, not all of them. But i disagree to an extent with what you've been told. I have 30 yr experience, for however much weight you want to ascribe to that.

You've heard that practice makes perfect. That is not really true. Practicing things CORRECTLY "makes perfect". You can do something over and over and over, but if it's done wrong, you are not improving your game.

Depending on how much the paycheck is an issue, you may wish to find another job before quitting this one. But the longer you do things wrong, the more disservice you are doing to yourself. It's also hard to break established habits.

This is all said assuming you are sure you are being steered in the wrong direction, ie, these directions go against good MT training and/or against the BOS in important ways.

I have no doubt that some companies hire poor or inexperienced QA personnel, contrary to another posters comment.

My suggestion is to look for another job. It may take a little time and be a little frustrating, but what you gain by starting off with good QA and building a good foundation, cannot be found in the situation you describe. Part of the good foundation is on-the-job experience.

Believe in yourself, make sure your premise is correct, and then do what is right for the long-term. e/m me if you wish.

with the gas prices going sky high and, therefore, (sm) - Posted By: starting to plan

the prices of food and other items more than likely going to skyrocket, what is everyone doing to plan for this?

Poll: MT Job Satisfaction - Posted By: MT student

Here is another poll. I would like to hear from anybody with MT experience, but I am especially interested to hear from MTs with 10+ years experience.

If you had to do it over again, would you still have gotten into the field of MT?

Raynaud's?? - Posted By: suffering

Anybody else with this problem? Or just with plain cold hands? It's only September, and my hands are already so cold I can hardly move them. Anybody have any suggestions? I keep my house toasty most of the time, but my hands and feet are always cold, even with fuzzy socks and slippers on (my feet :). Thanks for the suggestions!!