I prefer software as opposed to looking it up in reference books...
Posted By: blondie on 2008-01-25
In Reply to: Reference Books versus software - Siren
I like the Stedman's word books software that you download on the computer and when you want to look something up you just click a button versus getting the book out and looking for it. I seems much quicker to me.
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Reference Books versus software
I am running a poll here. How many prefer to use reference books over software programs and vice versa. Does using one or the other assist in your production? I am just getting back into at-home transcription and am wondering which, and what, to purchase. TIA
I prefer books. I'm kinda old school. I like to be able to write new terms in my books. I do
have Stedman's Medical Dictationary on CD and I do use it quite a bit, but that's more because the actual print dictionary is so darn heavy to pick up and look a word up! 
FYI I HAVE reference books, but in case you hadn't noticed, thing change a lot faster than BOOKS
I was simply asking for suggestions of other places on line that I might look for the latest info, especially considering that my work is on the internet, what the hell is wrong with trying to be more productive and efficient?!?! Good Grief!!
prefer books
I prefer reference books, as all my work stays in one spot in my office. Have tried the CDs in the past but didn't care for them. I can understand wanting the convenience of having everything on a laptop since it sounds like you move around frequently. Guess it depends on the work sutation.
I prefer the CDs but use the books...
because I can pass the books on to new recruits who may not be able to afford a lot of new reference materials right off the bat.
Reference books
I use my pharmaceutical word book most often, then Stedman GI/GU & Stedman Equipment. I have a used 2004 Pharmaceutical word book (Drake & Drake) if you would like it.
Reference Books
Good reference books (and abbreviations book!) are a must also. I Google a lot, but I really verify with my BOS and my Stedman's reference books. Agree with other posters. Stedman's Medical Speller a definite must have for me.
Reference books
I have many, many books, but use fewer and fewer of them as I find good internet sites - it is much faster for me to look up something on a website than to pull out the books all the time. I would say that I use my Dorlands and my Webster medical word books more than any others, though.
new reference books
I am in need of reference books and looking at Stedmans Medical and SUrgical equipment book. I see the fifth edition is out, that must be the newest edition?
Also looking at Stedmans Ortho word book, fifth edition but dated 2005. Is this too old to consider purchasing? How do you know when a new edition will be coming out?
Thanks
reference books
When I look up a term in a reference book I use a highlighter pen to highlight the term in the book. Like Lucy said, the act of just doing something like writing it down or highlighting the term helps me remember it.
What are the must have reference books?
I'm wondering what the must have reference books would be to start out with. What are your faves?
Best reference books to get
I am going to buy some reference books to have. Can you all help me in getting the ones I need. I will doing a variety of reports...cardiology, radiology, emergency departments ect....
I appreciate it!!!! :)
Reference books? GOOOOOOGLE. :)
Opinion on reference books.
I am a newly graduated MT and am beginning the job search. So far so good. I got a 98.2 on the first test I did and it was long! That was a real confidence booster, too bad they are not hiring immediately. I am reallizing that I will need to invest in more books.
Which books should I absolutely get the newest versions of and which would it be okay to get slightly older and cheaper used ones?
Query: How many have reference books and how many?
Wondering if I should expand my library.
Reference books and Google
Google is not always accurate either!!!! In my 7 years as an MT, I find it taking way too much time trying to find the correct spelling of referring physicians or primary care physicians online, especially if you have no clue as to which city they practice in, and when they dictate all these physicians names they want a cc to go to. I also would just like to add that maybe QALady should consider taking the word "Lady" off the end of her name. Obviously no one will ever be as "perfect" as you and I feel for the man you're married to, if you're at all married. If you complain about a few MTs, don't refer to all MTs, do your job, provide feedback, and if those same MTs continue to be sloppy, then the supervisor isn't doing his/her job at all. I'm a firm believer of shame on me once, maybe even a second time, but no more than a second time for the same mistakes. I welcome feedback and print every single report I have had a blank on for future reference. Sloppy may describe some, not all.
I seldom use the reference books...
or the software my company has provided us, and I have some nice reference books. I use Google with good results. I personally won't invest another dime in reference materials if I can help it, just not necessary.
How often do you replace your reference books, or (sm)
do you all strictly use medically acceptable internet sites for research now? I've been using the internet a lot, but I'm thinking of getting a new Surgical Word Book. Wondering if it is worth my $50 to do this. Thoughts? Thanks in advance.
I, too, remember lack of reference books. I'd tug on sm
the doctors' sleeves to get answers to my questions, or I'd go to the OR and look at product boxes for proper names. I wouldn't trade a minute of it, would you?
use resources means to use reference books or - sm
look up things on-line to research, like google. A lot of times you can figure terms out by putting in a few of the words you can understand. Being able to reference well is key to being a good transcriptionist, especially when you are doing a new specialty. The company you are testing for should have told you how they wanted blands left, some want just _____, some *, or maybe a highlighted line. I would just go with a ___ if I were you. Type it all up, then go back over it with just your speakers on (no headphones) and sometimes that helps you pick up words you did not hear before, also change the speed, slow them down if they talk real fast, or speed up of real slow, you get the idea. Fool around with it. Tests stink, but when you are a total novice they are really rough. Good luck.
Do MTs bother to use their reference books or the internet? SM
I just wonder because I am so sick of correcting reports where the MT has obviously just guessed at what is being dictated or what she heard rather than taking a minute to crack open a freaking book or at the very least Google it.
QA is a resource not a freaking safety net for MTs who can't or won't do the job they were hired for. Part of the job description for medical transcription is to be both productive AND accurate! Nowhere does it say, if you don't know, just guess or if you don't know, just leave a blank -- don't look it up or use the internet -- just leave a blank.
While I'm at it, let me just say to all the MTs out there who have being "doing this for years" and don't think they could ever possibly make a mistake -- YOU ARE WRONG! To the MTs who use "that's how we were told to do it at my last job" as your battle cry -- THAT IS WHY WE HAVE A STANDARDIZED REFERENCE BOOK CALLED THE AAMT BOS!
I don't care how you did it at your last job. I don't care if that is what you thought you heard. I don't care if your spell check didn't catch it. And I don't care how long you've been an MT. You should have known how to spell it, you should own a reference book, you should own a copy of the BOS, and years of experience in no way replaces a good solid education! Finally, you should take the time to educate yourself, look things up you aren't sure of, and just plain care about the content of your work -- not just how much of it you can get done.
 << Getting off my soapbox now.
I'd send you my hardcopy books, but here's an online reference.
http://www.grammarbook.com/notgrandmasgrammar.asp
The site states that it's only in recent times that the quotation marks come outside the period, essentially because people are too lazy to follow the "proper" rules. I'm no old lady, but I was taught not to be lazy just because the rest of the world refuses to follow the rules.
Reference books/sites for breast cancer (sm)
I just started with a breast cancer surgeon. I am wondering if anyone can recommend some good reference material for this. Thanks.
Can anyone recommend any good acute care reference books
I am thinking of changing from clinic to acute care transcription. Can anyone recommend any good reference books that I should have? TIA
As opposed to Commie News Network?
x
I loved being paid for production/quality as opposed to being with the co. since
the beginning of time. And those long timers that I worked with tended to produce the least work and dish out the most criticism. I felt like a work horse and was paid half of what the 10 plus years on the job MTs in-house were. This created hostility, needless to say.
We have a gunite pool as opposed to vinyl/sand liner..
The gunite is definitely more expensive, but lasts much longer. I'm in NH and I see signs for gunite pools starting at 19,900 around here, but I have no idea what that includes. As usual, the advertisement and the actual cost out the door are probably too different things. Also, expect your electric bill to hit the roof even if you run the filter only 12 hrs out of 24. But it's worth it to us... Our kids are pre-teens and virtually LIVE in that thing, so we don't regret buying this house.
Yeah, you're right. Who cares who licenses your software? Heck, I use all pirated software anyw
why pay for anything, right?
Except that is AGAINST THE LAW!!!
A friend of mine got one and she is finding that some of her software, specifically her ISP software
x
If u need server software, try guild ftp. If just user software
then try cuteftp, coffeecupftp, or wsftp. They don't charge a line rate and I believe guildftp server software is still free.
Another big factor is software. If the software isn't
transcription friendly, it can really hurt your bottom line.
Otherwise, $1.20 per report is a pretty decent rate for radiology.
Good luck - hope it works out for you.
I prefer IC . . .
simply because of the flexibility. I don't want to feel chained to my computer. To me, one of the reasons to work from home is the freedom it provides. I also find I have a lot to write off at tax time and have never had a problem tax-wise. I don't need the benefits and don't want the company control that comes with being an employee.
Neither...I prefer
my taxes to pay for defense of this nation, protection of its citizens through federal regulatory agencies, police, fire and emergency rescue programs, libraries, public schools, educational assistance for anyone who needs it, assistance for those who cannot help themselves, drug and medical research, paved streets, streetlights, utilities, assistance for new business startups, and few other oddities.
How would you prefer - sm
Wondering if you have any suggestions for a better way? What would make it easier for you?
ME vs MT WHAT DO YOU PREFER
and why.
I prefer only the ................NM
I prefer
by far short reports. Doing long reports, well, I just feel like I'm being held hostage, KWIM?
I much prefer sm
to work for a company and let them hustle up the work, provide the system and equipment, and get paid by the line. Maybe if I were 20 and not 60, but I find that by getting your own accounts, you lose a lot of money. I prefer transcribing fast, and being paid for just that. No setup. No delivery or pickup. No office managers to deal with. Pure profit all the way.
I prefer IT.
xxx
I just prefer it.
There is so much wrong information out there that I like to look in my books first. I also hand write in "sounds like" in there so I can find oddly spelled things. Plus it is a business expense. ;-)
Most will prefer DSL for
security reasons I believe and specifically say "no satellite". It is one of the downsides of living in a beautiful rural area.
I prefer...
Quick Look Drug Book but not actually the book, the CD version, that way you do not have to get off computer, grab book, and manually look up the med you need. You just click on to get into the information, type in name, or a version of it, and it automatically pops up with everything you need to know, including what it is used for, and doses applicable...so much quicker.
I prefer my ESL
over the English speaking mush mouth one that sounds like she drunk when she transcribes or the one who talks so low I can barely hear him with the sound on as high as it can go.
Myself, I prefer sm
Stedman's surgical equipment book. The Surgery Word book is pretty well useless, but the equipment book is fabulous.
I have had a Tessier's and I gave it away, found it completely useless.
I prefer it
I cant sit for 8 hours. I have to break my work up into 2-4 hours at a time.
I prefer In-Hock Rd.
dd
I certainly prefer Word but......
I have become accustomed to it. It is not too difficult to learn and overall I don't feel a bad program. I have used DQS as well and I think Emdat's InScribe offers more options from what I see.
My biggest complaint is the spellcheck. I copy/paste and save all my reports in Word and spellcheck in Word as it catches errors that InScribe's spellcheck does not.
Also, I do not use their Expander - I use Instant Text which I love.
I have done both and prefer IC because I can write
everything off. You have to be very diligent about receipts and setting aside tax money though.
The only real difference in pay between the two is 7.25% for social security (self employment. You have to put aside the taxes rather than have the company pay them for you but either way, that tax money comes out of your check not the company's pocket.
I also prefer in-house
... but I am doing radiology. I worked at home doing hospital work for 4-5 years, and it wasn't interesting enough. There wasn't enough variety for me. I could see problems that I would be sooooo good at fixing if I was working in-house, but there was no way for me to have an impact on quality issues working at home. I now get to improve the referrer database, look at the future schedule to look for missing referrer names, work with schedulers, techs and radiologists, and just do lots of little things that really add polish to our business, and are very satisfying to me.
To each her own.
I prefer VR, MTg for 28 years....nm
thanks but prefer programs not from...
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