Medical Transcription Discussion Forums:

• Main Board
• Job Seekers Board
• Company Board
• Word Help Board
• Classifieds
• Medquist
• New MTs / Students

General Discussion Forums:

• Gab Board
• Politics Board

Hi,

What would be the easiest way to transfer AutoCorrect entries from one computer to another?

TIA

Hi there,

Tried to email you but it would not go through.  I am an editor and wanted to see if there was anything I could do to help you out.  Maybe see some of the stuff she is correcting..see if it is or isn't right and help you address it either way.  I can help you find good resources and I can also help you find a good way to speak with your editor if she is in fact wrong.  Quoting different references and a copy to the big boss is always a wonderful way of doing so.  SOMETIMES..the big boss and the editor are "friends" and it backfires, but you don't want to be in that type of work environment anyway.  Please email me.  I have taught several girls medical transcription and they have gone on to work for decent/great companies without even taking a transcription course.  I am going to begin doing free seminars in my area about transcription. 

Mary

We have a 15-year-old that is limited to 1 hour on the internet when school is not in session, and we have parental controls that allow us to see everything she has done while she was on line.

What about your household?

Thinking about getting a parrot, either Amazon or African Grey.  Anyone have experience with either?  Any pros or cons you can share?     

I have had smaller birds in the past, i.e. cockatiels, so have some experience, but never have owned a larger bird.     

Hey, everyone.  We have all been so worried about VR and India taking our jobs that I think we may have let something slip by that is so very much more dangerous. 

My uncle had to have a procedure at the local VA last week, which was an education in and of itself, but what was perhaps most interesting was that I was able to watch his doctor work with the VistA EMR system.  For those of you who are not aware, VistA is the EMR system the VA uses.  It was created by them for use throughout the VA system, and basically it is a click and choose transcription system, minus the transcriptionist.  It uses templates and normals, and if the doctor needs to add more specific information, they simply type it in.  As I sat there with my uncle and watched his doctor type a few words, click some boxes, ask some questions, and do a completed preop report in the time it would have taken him to dictate the darned thing, I was astonished.  It is a very slick system, very impressive to see up close and personal.  From the perspective of patient care, it is wonderful.  The doctor pulls up the report with a few clicks, the patient signs off on it with a little electronic signature pad, and a nurse approves the whole thing with a code.  Very slick. 

So why should this scare us?  Here is the kicker.  The VA/Government/Medicare system is giving this program away.  That is right, GIVING it away to any doctor who wants it.  The problem is that it is extremely difficult to install and set up for proper use, and hard to learn to use initially.  It is also hideously expensive, both for the equipment used to run it on and the installation, though for a large practice probably no more cost prohibitive than paying a team of transcriptionists (2-3) for a year.  Okay, now add to this equation that Medicare is encouraging doctors to learn and use this system, and the date 2014 has been thrown out there as a target.  Skeptics say that 2014 is not reasonable but I am not convinced.  Here is why.  I think we can all admit that the transcription workplace is most definitely not what it once was.  Part of the reason is that it is getting harder and harder to find decent, qualified transcriptionists.  I know there are many, many hard-working transcriptionists out there who know what they are doing and take pride in their work.  I also know that there are many folks out there who like to call themselves transcriptionists, people who think the job is nothing more than typing and see no need to further their educations and stay on top of things once they have obtained a job.  This is not a problem that is confined to our profession; many other areas of employment are suffering the same malady.  However, most other areas are able to weed out the bad seeds, if you will, before their business has been harmed and find the hard-working people they need after searching at length, but medical transcription is not one of these areas.  Because of the nature of the beast, the seriousness and responsibility of the job, if a Transcriptionist messes up people have the potential to die.  With wages decreasing over time and companies becoming more desperate to hire anyone who can type, experienced transcriptionists are moving away from the job, not being able to support themselves on the lousy wages companies are paying.  The dwindling experienced work force is being replaced by a new generation of transcriptionists whose only experience with doctors' offices is when they visit their own primary care physician.  They are educated online, and while there are some schools out there truly committed to producing qualified workers, most are fly-by-night operations.  This is why, in part, doctors are trying to find other avenues of getting the reports they need.  Two of the VR perks that are pushed by companies are cost reduction and accuracy.  The companies that are promoting VR are using our inaccuracies and poor performance to tout their new baby, and they are succeeding.  Because they still pay us a minimal pittance to edit the VR after it is dictated, the doctors never see the product beforehand and therefore are under the impression that we are, in fact, inept, and that VR is a much better system than using humans. 

Now, imagine this if you will.  Transcriptionists are already on the hot seat and so, when the government starts promoting its EMR VistA system, it appeals to doctors.  Not only does it eliminate the need for transcriptionists, it costs about the same overall as they are already paying in wages/fees.  It gives the doctor complete control over the reports they produce, and they have immediate gratification because in the time it takes them to dictate the report, it is finished and in front of them.  The impression one gets from reading all the articles and forum posts pertaining to transcription these days is that doctors are becoming frustrated with the services they are being provided, and are ripe for being swayed into something else that is more productive.  This is the perfect time for doctors to begin transitioning to EMR, and the proliferation of companies out there who have developed EMR systems is testimony to that fact. 

Do doctors look at the EMR as a potential end to the careers of tens of thousands of workers in the United States?  No, probably not.  They only look at how this is going to affect them, their practice and their patients.  Congress is supporting and pushing this initiative, as are certain presidential candidates.  The concept of losing this many workers to EMR is apparently not something they are concerned about.  Implementing this sort of system will make them look good, and the importance of image to politicians is a given. 

While there can be no doubt that outsourcing has hurt medical transcription, as has VR, I strongly believe that our biggest threat is coming from our own government.  I think the EMR system is, within the next 5-10 years, going to put 80% of transcriptionists out of business.  There will be holdouts, and I am sure not all types of reports will be producible from this system, but if a doctor is given a choice between paying for a transcriptionist to possibly do a report correctly and perhaps get that report back within 24 hours if all goes as it should, and using that same time they would be dictating to produce the report themselves, with very little actual work on their parts, which will they choose? 

I had no idea of this and apparently this is in the fine print of the license agreement (shame on me for not reading it!)  So I have DocShuttle Client at $99 and DocShuttle Admin at $299.  I have to reformat my hard drive this weekend so I will be on my third and last install.  I really do not want to have to purchase this all over again because that is a huge chunk of change.

Does anyone know of any other software that I might be able to use when the time comes?  I want to start my research early because I can't get myself into a bind if you know what I mean. 

Thanks!

What is the average pay per line for editing (including VR editing)?

Thanks

his father, sister, wife, children, friends, and fans during this tragic time.

Mr. Irwin was filming a documentary when he was pierced in the chest by a stingray barb.

I have to admit that not often do I completely discount everything that I read, but this time I had a difficult time believing that a company who wants to stay in business would actually refuse to pay people.  So I have to admit that - yes - I did send in a resume.  I have been working in the MT field for over 30 years so I felt fairly safe in knowing what I was talking about.  First I got an email saying to call this guy and then when I did, he said he didn't send it, his wife did.  Great communication between the two.  Then, he proceeds to start putting down and degrading everyone from MTs to QAs to hospitals (he only does clinics) and was as rude and ignorant as anyone I have ever seen and I have seen a few.

Then, as if this wasn't bad enough so far, he actually does only offer 5 cents a line!  I told him that I felt that was an insult and that anyone with as many years experience as I have or even anyone working as an IC who has to pay their own way in everything, would never work for that kind of ridiculous pay, and then said goodbye.  Believe it or not - this jerk called me back and left the nastiest voicemail!!!  This guy shouldn't be allowed to own a dog let alone a company. 

If he has not paid you and you are due money for your work, call the Better Business Bureau, the Labor Bureau and if you are in the same state, I would contact the police and file a report for theft of services.  If they say it is a civil matter, then head to court and sue him for every penny he owes you - with interest!  People like him give service owners a horrible name.  Good luck to all who work there, have worked there and if you are thinking of working there - run away!

I've been job hunting, testing, sending out my resume for 2 weeks now and no bites.    I'm not a new graduate.  I worked for 2 years but have not worked MT for a little over a year now.  I have 3 toddlers and finally am able to have enough time to work full-time again.  My family really needs the extra income right now and I'm finding it very frustrating that so far I am not able to contribute. We live in a very rural area and driving into town for a job plus daycare for 3 toddlers would kill any income I'd get. 

I get answers from companies saying I have a good resume, experience, and even tested well but they are only hiring people with  #+ years RECENT experience. 

*sigh*  I'll just keep looking, emailing/faxing resumes, and testing... one will want me eventually. 

/rant.

alliedschools.com

Has anyone tried either their medical billing or coding training courses??

Did you like it, would you recommend it?? I'm tired of working at a restaurant and would like to learn a career but I just want make sure that I am learning from a school that will actually lead me somewhere(specially that it cost 1600 dollars)

So please let me know what you think about them and if there is other schools that you will recomment over them!

Thanks

Have you ever had a credit card and all the phone numbers they give you do not allow you to talk to a live person, but get an automated system, that is not capable of doing what you need?   Have you ever had a late charge because it took the bank 3 days to post an on-line payment?   I'm going to have to write a letter I guess and when the next statement comes I'm paying it off and cancelling, though I'm not sure how I'll do that - have to write another letter.  

Can you use a debit card on-line just like you can a credit card.  I know most places only accept 3 major credit cards and didn't know if I entered a Visa debit # if that would be the same.  I prefer Paypal cause I keep a little stash for on-line purchase, though most places don't take Paypal at least not yet.  I just know I've got to get rid of the credit cards - much too stressful.

When using Express Scribe with Infinity USB foot pedal, I can not get the left or right pedal to work.  The middle play pedal works fine but I can't bo backwards or forwards.

Any help would be appreciated.

Hey y'all,

This is totally not MT related, but...here goes; my D(ang) husband just called me and told me that his very good friend's (married man) friend (female...not his wife) just called my DH's cell phone looking for said MARRIED friend...

These 2 (friend and female caller) met this weekend at a local restaurant; he got too drunk to drive home (how attractive, right?), so she drove him home. Evidently, the friend gave the female his cell # PLUS MY DH'S cell # too! So this morning, she calls my husband looking for his so-called friend! I want this person's (I can't stand calling her a woman, much less a lady) number so I can call her and inform her that she better not EVER call my husband back looking for his MARRIED *friend*...but my husband won't give it to me!!!

Another thing...I am dying to call this *friend's* wife, as she and I are somewhat friends...(we've been to their kid's bday parties, her bday party, etc..., but we don't talk on a regular basis...) Give me some advice please...am I wrong for being so upset that he won't give me this #...I know when he gets home, it'll be deleted off his phone and I won't see the bill...his work pays for the phone! Help me please!!!

He's a good kitty.  He's a big kitty.  Actually, he's a 27-pound kitty and he's not but about 2 pounds overweight!  BIGGGG KITTY!

He's always been great about his litter box.  Lately, however, he seems to be missing it (it has a lid or housing on it).  So, I've been watching.  Doggone it!  He is leaving his whole back 2 legs OUT!!!  He crawls in head first, and then DOES HIS BUSINESS RIGHT THERE ON THE MAT!!! 

He crawls out after scratching around a bit in the litter and then sniffs on his business on the matt and scratches the mat and the floor!!!

WHAT?!?!   HOW do I get this cat to get his butt into the litter box?  Same litter box - no problems before.  Just suddenly seems to like leaving his behind out!!!

I'm exhausted!         

Wondering if any companies use a platform that allows the MT to adjust the dictation speed to as slow as he/she wants it for each dictation.  Dictaphone ExText uses Transnet to allow us to slow it down somewhat, but only to a certain point.  I'd the flexibility of being able to slow it down or speed it up to my own specifications.  My dictators talk a mile a minute, and my brain and wrists are burned out to the max.

Hi,

I wanted to get some opinions on a keyboard tray.  I am using an ergonomic split keyboard that rests on my desktop.  I use wrist braces, and some days my wrists still ache.  I wanted the opinion of anyone who had used a keyboard tray versus not and if there was a difference.  Is there such a tray that you don't have do drill into your desk to attach it?  Any benefits that justify the cost of the tray?  I have my monitor on a monitor stand to help prevent neck strain.  That seems to help.  Just looking for any ideas to help save my wrists. 

Thanks in advance!

Are you REQUIRED to pay in Social Security taxes if you work IC?  I work as an employee for one company, so I get SS taken out and then I am thinking about IC for another company and was wondering if I was required to pay SS taxes in each year.

I've been working for MTSOs for years now, using their templates which sometimes cause productivity problems (macro issues, etc). I'm wondering if productivity is increased when working on a structured platform, such as one that a national company provides for its transcriptionists?  I've never used a platform, but it would seem that all one needs to do is straight type onto the screen and the platform program takes care of margins, page breaks, etc?

Any thoughts (as well as companies who are hiring who use platforms) would be appreciated.  Thanks

My doc tried to test it today and he said all it did was beep at him. He did use an author ID. Do you ever have problems with it constantly beeping? I tried using a cell phone and land line. I have no trouble. What could be the problem with him?  My attorney also tried to access the system and it did the same thing.

 own the older model that used tapes and never had a problem with it until it died.. I beginning to hate this one and I've only had it since Monday.