I try not to pressure myself so I don't get that way. I build up speed naturally. -nm
Posted By: Just me on 2006-01-20
In Reply to: What do you do when your wrists ache and your hands weigh a ton but you have to keep typing? - x
x
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increase speed 3, decrease speed 2...sm
increase backspace 9, decrease backspace 8. At least that's what mine does.
Build-a-pc
Get the best sound card you can. My first computer had a cheapy sound card and it caused all kinds of problems. Make a list of all you want/need to do with your computer and talk to the techies about it. They will be able to make suggestions. And be sure you have Microsoft Word and probably Word Perfect, just to cover all bases. Maybe a cd burner to easily make back-up discs of system and to make discs of info if that should ever be necessary.
you build and add yourself
It is a different style of system. You use the first letter of each word in your phrase so there is no memorizing, you can't forget the sequence of the phrase you are looking for. it is annoying having the screen at the bottom, but i just show the first 5 lines. you get used to it real quick. I love it.
I build my own also. So does my son. It's so (sm)
very nice when we build pc for customers and present them with the finished product. The smiles on their faces when they see that they received exactly what they wanted/ordered is priceless.
there is no way a new MT can build sm
a Medical Phrase Index like the one in print. That book is a great teaching tool and a lot quicker than asking questions on the Word Board and waiting for an answer! Seems to me folks don't want to do the work and research anymore to become a good MT and want everyone else to do their work for them.
if you know what you want get a geek to build you one
Cheaper and better! Not mention you'll know who to call and whether or not they speak English...;)
If you live in the Seattle area, try this link:
http://www.dresch.org/web/dcs/default.asp?c=1
I know him and his work - he'll put a 'puter together to your specifications and it'll be far superior to Dell (or anyone else, plus cost a lot less money)
what are you trying to do, build another city...
please go down about four posts and see the one titled "It never fails to amaze me" and see what happened to that train of thought and the responses to the same. You might get a clue to your answer. Have a great day. 
build your shortcuts to the max
it's ALL about your shortcuts. you have to shorten every word, phrase, not just medical ones, regular English too, assuming you transcribe for someone who SPEAKS English!! 
I have been using the same shortcut program for 10+ years and I STILL add things to it almost daily. 1st rule is if the shortcut doesn't just pop in your head, keep typing and don't think about it. it has to come to you automatically. then you have to be creative. example - I have this one doc who constantly says "once this was done" so I have that in as OTWD. "The patient tolerated the procedure well" is PATOL. I have things like ADP for adenopathy, then you have to expand that on further to be LADP for lymphadenopathy, AADP for axillary adenopathy, etc. if you have one doc who says some phrase constantly, even if it is only one doc, if you type him every day, make it a shortcut. I have typed in "codes" for so long they are drilled in my brain. I'll look at a license plate and it will say RSD456, my brain says "reflex sympathetic dystrophy." the longer you use it the bigger it will get and pretty soon you're typing all shortcuts and not much else.
Are you using an expander? Build up
you're macros/normals. I'm able to batch my work. I type all my reports in each batch and then I go back and relisten to each report, but I turn the speed up so they sound like the Chipmunks. I feel like it goes faster than reading each report, and I find that I'm able to catch errors that I wouldn't have caught by just reading the report.
He can build it. Just keep reciepts. nm
:+
not pressure, but
Here's how I've build my own expander-ese:
For multiples, I use numbers based on several criteria. For example, my related Expanders may be 'abc1, abc2, abc3'.
I may use the most-used phrase as #1, less-used as #2, least-used as #3, etc.
Or, I may base it on the length of the phrase - shortest phrase 1st, longer 2nd, longest 3rd.
Or, I sometimes use the numbers to signify tense or multiples. If ABC stood for, let's say, 'abdominal clamp', I may assign them s follows:
abc1 - abdominal clamp
abc2 - abdominal clamps
abc3 - abdominal clamping
That's just a 'fer-instance', but you get the idea.
ALSO: I use my auto-correct as my expander, so space in it isn't limitless. To make one abbreviation go further, type it in lower case. Example:
'dx' - for 'diagnosis'.
When you type in 'dx' in lower-case, you'll get 'diagnosis'. Type the first letter capitalized ('Dx'), and you'll get 'Diagnosis'. Type it in all-caps ('DX'), and you'll get 'DIAGNOSIS'! Three abbreviations in one!
Hope that helped!
:)
Pressure cooker.
Since I bought my pressure cooker (not a fancy model--just a $49 basic job from Sears), now I use it constantly! Even the toughest meat (chicken or pork) comes out fall-off-the-bone tender with excellent flavor. Quicker than regular oven too.
The pressure of it is the killer. sm
You need support, a support system. You need to take control, change your perception of "they are making me do this" to "I can do this for me" not the insurance company. Your mind is where this will work. You do have the power. It is up to you. Decide on a plan with support from good people, a doctor, a group, talk to people who have done it. But first yourself. Talk to yourself. We'll be listening. Good luck!
Temporary dog house is easy to build.
Take a large cardboard box, cover outside of it with multiple sections of newspaper, then tape large plastic sheets (open up garbage sacks) over it. It is well insulated against cold and wet.
Get a custom build from a local place.
I don't know about the Macs compatibility though. I had my computer custom built through a local place and am so glad I need. My kids have done things to this computer that no one has ever seen or been able to quite figure out how they did it but the local placed fixed me right up and they keep companies of all my program disks in case I have a complete crash and need to reformat the beasts. They also custom built an HP laptop which I love, love, love.
I believe most of the MT software programs have a build it "cannot edit"
mechanism,so that once a document has been signed; electronically or otherwise, it cannot be altered. Regarding Addundums, if you were not the original Transcriptionist who typed the document, most companies want you to bypass it in the pool, which will then be reassigned to the original tramscriptionist. It's not good company policy reading and or making an addenda to anyone else's report other than your own.
I believe most of the MT software programs have a build it "cannot edit"
mechanism,so that once a document has been signed; electronically or otherwise, it cannot be altered. Regarding Addundums, if you were not the original Transcriptionist who typed the document, most companies want you to bypass it in the pool, which will then be reassigned to the original tramscriptionist. It's not good company policy reading and or making an addenda to anyone else's report other than your own.
Personally, I would prefer to build my own list versus
using a premade list. If you build it yourself, you know what's in there and you use a system that is comfortable for you. It takes time, but it's well worth it. Quite frankly, I think this smacks of wanting someone else to do the hard work for you, taking the easy way.
That is just it, I am not putting pressure on him at all and support him,
but deep inside I am heartbroken and won't let him know it.
please see my post on pressure valve (nm)
See pressure valve - need input - nm
--
Pressure to work holiday
I don't think you're crabby and appreciate the venting. Usually work volumes sink really low to almost nothing around the major holidays. They certainly are aware of this every time they pressure their employees to work a holiday. Just a thought.
Do you take blood pressure medication? sm
They can make you extremely tired, too. I take Toprol XL and have for 13 years. It peaks about 3 hours after I take it I have trouble staying awake at the PC from 6 am to about 10:30 am. I literally fall asleep with fingers right on the keyboard. It was so bad that I finally changed to the afternoon shift. I asked my doc about it and he said try taking it at night. Well, that brought on the headaches I was trying to avoid. He said to take 1/2 in the a.m. and 1/2 in the p.m. No dice, still had headaches. He won't change my pills, says if it isn't broke, don't try to fix it. He wants to keep my pressure on the low side. My only solution was changing shifts and now I don't fall asleep at the keyboard anymore. I can get 10 hours of sleep at night but still fall asleep about 3 hours after taking that medication. I'm fine if I am up and about and doing things but sitting at the keyboard is another story.
No idea...in 3+ years when we build I wil figure it out....probably a wolf theme
xx
New giveaway! $50 Build A Bear Bucks, see sticky post above.
/
No spin. No blood pressure problems.
I'm not complaining about an Indian MT taking good work from me and I don't know anyone within the company who gives out that information anyway. I do believe you might resolve your issues by telling the whole story because at first glance it just sounds like you are complaining and really don't want a solution. If that's the case I am sorry for you. I am also sorry for you that your source came up with an "Indian MT" taking your work who only wants American doctors to cause your blood to boil. Not only does this intruder come from India but she leaves you with the lousy Indian dictators. Not that you sound prejudiced or anything. But do you really need all that info to perform your job?  Or is someone trying to stir you up like that higher source you have within the company. Maybe they want you to get mad  and quit! Be careful who you believe and IF your source information is valid what are you going to do with it but fret? That's not a good thing friend.
go ahead. i don't feel supervising is any different than pressure of MT or any other job.
so you must transcribe, listen to excuses and have patience. i do that now while transcribing. i listen to excuses why there are no pay increases or why there is no work. i am patient while waiting for work and being told to cut back on work as there isn't enough or work more cause there is too much. i am quite sure i know as much as my supervisor as far as common sense and logic.
My question is why do you want that kind of pressure in a job that requires you to
work 80 hours a week? If working 80 hours is part of the job at any given time, why would you want it?
the stress level, the extreme pressure on the job
The only thing good out of my years in the industry was I had terrific insurance when I got cancer. The bad was, when I got back to work, the whole atmosphere had changed. They thought I should be ready to take on the world, and I was still with secondary illnesses from the chemoradiation. In fact, even today (3 years later), I still have problems.
See pressure valve - needed to vent.
 ----
How is the sign-up process? Is it high pressure?
xx
Elaine Johnson of Boise, Idaho, you won the Build A Bear Bucks!
Email to admin@mtstars.com with your full mailing address and we will send you your gift.
A large part of the problem is pressure to cut costs (sm)
often results in the squeeze being applied to the non-acute-care parts of the equation and very, very often that ends up being the transcription. The services end up bidding jobs lower than they want to and it just trickles right on down.
Then you have some MTSO's who insist on paying for the technology they want and need off of the worker's backs. I used to work for a guy who wanted to do this and it's one reason I don't work for him anymore.
It sucks being a mushroom and it always has. I don't see it getting any better, either.
Well there naturally aren't going to be many in the AM. SM
I do only ops myself. I have a different deal than what it sounds like you have, because my work is assigned manually - I don't get to go in the system in the morning and start plucking them out of there. I get a list at about 8:30 in the morning of the ones dictated the day before.
Too bad, too. I am 2 hrs ahead of the hospital. I could have their notes sitting there for them when they come in, but that's not the way they manage it. I don't like waiting till 8:30 to get my work, so I know what you mean.
naturally speaking 8
If anyone can help me. I am working for a Dr. that uses naturally speaking pro 8. I have downloaded the main disc onto my computer, but it will not let me access his files. If anyone can help with getting this set up, I would really appreciate the help. Supposedly, I am supposed to be able to open his files with my pc. Thanks for any help I can get!!
Sharon
Naturally Fast?
I am fairly new on here and realize I am asking a lot of different questions (hope you don't mind).
I am wondering if most people who end up fast enough to make a decent living at transcription are fairly fast from the start, or if one can really increase over time. I am really struggling financially and don't want to give up, but I also don't want to spend endless time in a field that just isn't for me.
Any stories?
Naturally fast
I feel I am just naturally fast. Yesterday I transcribed 2000 lines in 6 hours without pushing. I learn new accounts quickly, including ESL. Technology has definitely made me more productive. It sounds corny, but I feel like I was "born" to do this. Like I said, corny.
Any not naturally fast out there?
I can see I am not naturally fast, so I'd really like to know if there are those out there who had to work at getting fast (and were able to).
Any testimonies will be very much appreciated!
C-phone speed help! PLEASE! Speed key!
I am in tears - typing speedy gonzalez - a total knee replacement, not a standard, dictated in under 1 minute - FULL REPORT! Can you imagine? I have a C-phone that is just hanging in there, but lost all its programming. Isn't there a # key on the number part of the phone that reduces speed? I need it way slooooooooooow!! I'm afraid to just start hitting numbers, though, cause I've lost reports that way!! Anybody have a # to hit for me???
Well, there's your problem! You're using blood pressure pills instead of birth
control pills!! See - BP pills are for your heart - BC pills are for your - well, surely you must know!
well it's really down to the nitty gritty pay issue. everything is relative pressure-wise
I mean if you get paid enough for the pressure it makes it a little more worthwhile than the feast or famine world of the MT. You know what I mean?
If this stops hurting so much with pressure or elevation, you have a bleed, honey.
Schiavo thread has been moved to the Pressure Valve board
Link below
Dragon Naturally Speaking 8 or 7 (sm)
Has anyone been successful using this software for transcription? I have broken my collar bone and have not been able to xcribe. I can type but cannot extend my arm to using the mouse. Unfortunately, my bills do not stop just because I am injured. I am looking in this avenue till I can be up and xcribing again. Any info on this subject would be greatly appreciated.
Dragon Naturally Speakin
Does anyone know if the Dragon Naturally speaking program works with Emdat Inscribe??
No, Not dragon Naturally Speaking sm
I meant if the dictators use it and we have to edit it. Sorry if I was not clear about that. Thanks.
Re: Dragon Naturally Speaking
 I have been seeing a lot about the Dragon Naturally Speaking program. I am interested in buying. However, on looking E-Bay, there are tons of versions. Is it always best to get the latest version? and is that version 8? I have seen almost all versions on E-Bay, but need advise on buying. Any help anyone can give me would be immensely appreciated! And thanks in advance to anyone who responds (in case I don't get back with you soon)!
Dragon Naturally Speaking
I used to use Dragon 7. I was going to try and install it today on a new computer; however, I lost my original CD case, so I no longer have the serial number. So I'm thinking about purchasing the newest version. I did okay with it previously. I was still getting it trained but I could manage to use it and match my typing speed on a good day. I'm curious as to whether anyone thinks the investment of buying the "preferred" version is worth it? I purchased a couple of different microphones previously, etc. I went to dictaphone.com to see if they had anything worth purchasing and noted that it seems that website takes you to nuance.com who is now the maker of Dragon? I thougt that interesting. Would appreciate any feedback on the newest version. I'm not looking to type 300 wpm or anything. I'd just like something that can at least take the load off of me a little bit so I'm not typing 8 hours a day. Thanks in advance!
I feel I am naturally fast also...
I know for one I felt slow at first, but once you have experience and have an ear for transcription, I think is when the fast part comes in...although there are some MTs out there who have an ear for transcription that don't type fast and still do a great job!!! Hang in there!!!
About Dragon Naturally Speaking sm
I tried this at one point. I had a reasonable computer, but nothing like what we have today, and my last attempt at this has been years ago (2001). This is one of the reasons I think VR/SR is a joke.
I spent 60 to 70 hours "training" it. I am a clear speaker, not fast and I have no accent, just a plain midwest way of speaking. What did I have at the end of that time? Nothing, nothing at all. It would not recognize even the simplest of sentences or punctuation! To get it to pick up about every 3rd word I had to speak...like...this...every...word...slow...and...separate.
I will say that computers have come a long way over this short time. I know that Dragon is a bit better than it was. I still believe that if you really want to use it, you would need a Pentium IV with 160 gigs of HD space and nothing besides the word processor, operating system and Dragon on it. It is going to operate in either Word or WordPerfect and if you use a platform it won't work. You'd be stuck with copy, cut and paste which is not something every platform will allow.
I just would not, could not, be bothered to mess with Dragon. I type so many lines an hour that Dragon is deathly slow as far as I am concerned, and I don't get hoarse this way.
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