Is transcription really dying?
Posted By: lolabug on 2008-07-23
In Reply to:
I have another question for all of you...is transcription really dying out?  I haven't seen that where I'm located, we are pretty much in high demand. I didn't even go to school and I got a job in-house at our hospital starting at over $13.00 an hour. But, now that I am reading all of these posts I'm starting to wonder what the chances are of me being able to continue this profession, esspecially since we are thinking of moving to a big city in the near future. I am really considering going into coding school starting in September so my husband and I will both get our degree at the same time. I'm just wondering if I should get out while I'm ahead. Any advice is appreciated. Thanks!
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MT dying
I have been working as an MT since 1992. I started at $7.50 an hour - no incentive - just a flat $7.50 an hour - that company was gobbled up by another bigger company - and the gobbling has continued on. I went to work for a smaller MTSO and at one point was making $80 an hour transcribing a very easy radiology account that was mainly normal reports - everything was a template and the template was the whole report. I now make no where near that - and have trouble getting up to $18 or $20 an hour. I am thinking of going back to school to becomeo a pharmacy tech - besides - it gets depressing working at home all the time and never having interaction with co-workers, etc. The school is just a thought at the moment. I definitely would not encourage anyone to go into MTing at this point in the game - not with voice recognition and outsourcing to other countries.
MT Dying profession
I don't agree with you. I'm betting that MT is good for MAYBE 5 more years. Maybe. Thinking they won't perfect VR is only fooling ourselves....they will. I wouldn't recommend MT to anyone looking to enter the field. Money better spent on something with a better future but what that would be, I don't know. Seems everything that can possibly be offshored is being offshored. Maybe we should move to China Then we can be sure to have jobs seeing nearly everything in the U.S. comes from there anyway. Or maybe, the way things are going we had all better learn to like rice, cuz that's probably all we'll be eating before long.
Regarding MT being a dying profession...
I have actually read in numerous places that MT is a job with future opportunity, in light of the baby boomers beginning to get old and sick. That's going to supply us with a lot of medical reports for a very long time. As for voice recognition taking over...I'll believe it when I see it. I know an MR who does VR and I've seen the gobbledegook that it comes up with. Eventually all these companies will realize that they were sold a bill of goods by these VR vendors, but because they've invested so much in this technology, they're going to stick with it until the bitter end. Just my opinion of course. Finally, outsourcing. I'm pretty confident that something will happen that will put the kybosh on sending private medical records off to Calcutta for transcription. I think that practice will also stop eventually. I could be totally wrong and maybe I'll have to put away my rose colored glasses, but for now, that's my prediction.
MT Dying Profession
Sad when you work for a company that you thought was great and all of a sudden the work is yanked away and you sit with nothing yet you see the company advertising multiple times. When you look at what many posters say, that seems to be one major problem with this profession. The companies have no loyalty to transcriptionists. The best places to work are small local services, if you can find them. I don't recommend to anyone who asks me that they get into this profession. I used to, but not any more.
MT dying profession
I totally agree, Dano. They have absolutely no loyalty to MTs OR QA for that matter - we are nothing to them. I don't feel like a respected professional who is rewarded for her expertise and hard work anymore; I feel like a factory worker in an assembly line (no disrespect to those who work in factories, BTW)who just has to pump out the work as soon as possible - it's all about numbers to them. That's why in addition to working in this field, which I have been doing for 10 years (and would have quit by now if I could!), I am going back to college to get my degree in dental hygiene. I can't wait to get out of here. Used to make good money - no more. Used to be respected -no more. They only want cheap labor. Anyone looking to get into this profession - don't be fooled by the lies - do something else!
Not dying, just growing!
First of all, HIPAA does not require EMR for all records by 2009. If that were the case, you would have known about it several years ago, because most physicians do not use EMR and have no plans to use EMR at this point. Most HOSPITALS don't use them, either. Even if they wanted to, there aren't that many viable products they could use!
He may be thinking of other HIPAA requirements which have affected his practice and which he doesn't like. HIPAA did require some privacy and security things which he no doubt found irritating. He now has a need to transmit his claims electronically, which probably annoys him.
I would guess that the concept of paying an MT annoys him, too, so he took it out on you by terrorizing you during your recent visit.
Second, nothing about an EMR means you can't dictate and transcribe.
If you're currently doing only small-office dictation, you might want to expand your capabilities so that you can do hospital acute care. I think that job prospects have been better there since internet-based voice file transfers became possible. There are a lot of jobs available with national services and even with large employers who will let you work from home.
MT is a dying profession??
Hmm...
I don't think it is dying, I think it is changing sm
There will always be a need for a hand typed medical narrative. Having said that, how much need is anyone's guess. FOR NOW, many companies are moving towards at least some VR. I have watched my company ramp it up and now ramp it down again. Why? The quality isn't there and part of that is the MEs who are doing them.
Being an ME usually only appeals to someone who can't actually type the report with any speed and accuracy (not a real MT in my book) or an MT who can longer tolerate the wear and tear on her hands (a real MT). The pay is less, which might not be a problem IF the software didn't require so darn much editing! Either the software needs to be a LOT better or we need to be paid more, if they want to the best quality, so that real MTs are doing the ME thang.
What I see happening, even now, is that companies who will hire a traditional, old-fashioned typing MT want the very best they can get at the best price they can get her. It is and will be increasingly a buyers market for our services. It will edge out any MT who is marginal...in speed, in accuracy, in attitude, in work ethic. That is to say, those of us who can stay glued to our desks and produce 99.5% or better accuracy AND do it with speed, will still be around for quite a while yet. The tolerance that some companies for not showing up on time, not getting your minimums, not producing very good work, is decreasing. I see this as a trend.
Less work? Not for some of us. No work, as in we don't need the chaff of this industry? You bet, and it is happening already.
The truly top-notch MT will always be needed. Do you have any idea how very few of us there are? I have not talked to a company who has more than 1 or 2 of us that they consider the cream of their crop. If you want to stay, look at what you need to improve, be it work ethic, speed, accuracy or scope of knowledge. If you don't, you'll be in one of the first groups out of this business.
Anyone else dying for school to start? (sm)
Grandchildren had been going to the LatchKey summer program, but they closed for the last 2 weeks before school starts to get the schools ready. So guess what? You got it. Memaw is trying to type with children. I have to totally admire those of you that do this on a regular basis. My hat is off to you.
My monitor is slowly dying...sm
I have a Dell computer and monitor, but my monitor appears to be on its last leg. I'm already looking for its replacement but instead of ordering another Dell, does anyone know of any other brands that are compatible or not compatible with Dell? I'd really rather not pay the shipping from Dell, but I do remember when I originally purchased the computer my printer was not compatible. Thanks for your help.
So, if you were dying in the bed and needed a STAT
You wouldn't mind that the person behind the document only cared about the money? You wouldn't care they put a post on this board like "why does anybody do this?"
Patient would feel slapped in the face.
That would be dying you slapped in the face.
I am really shocked and saddened to see who we serve is forgotten for the sake of money. Yes, we have to survive, and we do well. I have 3 jobs, am exhausted, but proud to say I am behind the document to help a very sick child or dying person, or recovering person, or person who was saved from suicide. I guess the idea of self rather than others is prominent around here, but not where I come from. After 27 years in the business I am proud to say I work behind the scenes and give the best I can for the patient, the doc, the nurse, my boss, the patient's family and so forth. After all, I would expect the same for me and my little boy.
Not on my budget. I usually can find something on if I am dying to watch T.V.
(NM)
Call, please. The rest of us are dying to find out something. nm
.
The main problem with this field is it is dying
And there isn't anything that we (as MTs) can do about that.
how did you give up cigarettes, I am dying to quit.
nm
Is medical coding a dying profession like MT?
My income is in the crapper and keeps getting worse and worse. I love working at home, been doing it for over a decade, so looking into something I can do at home. So what about medical coding? Offshore problems? Technology advances pushing out the "real person" coder? Any disadvantages? Worth learning and getting into at this point?
Over 100. Burnt my bare feet on concrete. Plants are dying.
dd
I am feeling so stressed by changes at my company, holidays, friends dying,
not sure where to turn next. I really feel like I need to dump my whole situation and start from the beginning by doing a job where I am around people during the day instead of the curt phone calls from the office, and not having enough time to even talk or go out of the house to do anything. Why can't these companies have a little time to just say hello, thanks for a good job, or just something nice once in a while. Everything in the communication is negative, negative, and more negative. Team leaders are the pits, too. It is jusd do more, do more; they don't care if you are sick, and it means nothing to them to pile on more stress and more demands so they look good. They want you to work every day of the week, but they sure do take their days off, don't they.
Dogs dying from 'miracle drug'. Heads up, doggie owners
Marketed as a miracle drug for man's best friend, Rimadyl is one of the most popular painkillers available for dogs. And it's killing dogs by the thousands.
Vince Sharkey was faced with the decision every pet owner dreads, whether to euthanize his beloved dog King Billy.
Arthritis and deteriorating bones made it too painful for the 8-year-old golden retriever to walk.
His veterinarian recommended putting the dog down.
"He had so much life in him. I said, 'I just can't do that'."
Then Sharkey discovered Rimadyl, a prescription anti-inflammatory drug heavily marketed to owners of older dogs. Sharkey says Rimadyl saved his dog's life.
"Before I had him on the Rimadyl he was not even able to walk. He would drag his back half of his body. The moment we got him on Rimadyl, he was back to being his normal self again.
But Lynne Bradburn tells a very different story.
Her Saint Bernard, Honor, was just 22 months old when he died after taking Rimadyl for a sprained knee.
"He'd been sitting in my lap. And he looked up at me, and he died," Bradburn said.
Honor died after taking just four doses of the drug.
"They tell you it's as safe as aspirin. But it's not. And yes, I'm angry. And I will always be angry," Bradburn said.
The FDA reports some 12,516 complaints about Rimadyl dating back to 1997, including more than 2,300 cases where the dog died or had to be euthanized. The largest number of cases involve liver or kidney failure or internal bleeding.
Rimadyl's manufacturer, Pfizer, maintains the drug is safe, saying some 10 million dogs have taken over a billion doses of the drug, with less than 1 percent of them experiencing any negative side effects.
"There are side effects just as there are benefits with all medicines, with all medical procedures and certainly with Rimadyl. The good news about Rimadyl is that for the overwhelming majority of those 10 million dogs, plus, it has provided safe and effective pain relief," said Pfizer spokesman Robert Fauteux.
But the FDA approved Rimadyl after it was tested on just 549 dogs, raising the question, were the rest of the dogs that took the drug acting as guinea pigs?
Retired veterinarian turned attorney Paul Mabrey says a drug for humans would never be allowed on the market with such a small sample.
In response to continued concerns about the drug, Pfizer sent a letter to veterinarians across the country warning them that some side effects may "occur without warning" and, in rare situations may result in "hospitalization or even death."
Still, veterinarians continue prescribing Rimadyl more than any other drug in its class. But they're careful to warn dog owners looking for a miracle cure.
"There's a lot of people that want the medication not fully aware of everything that's entailed with that but we make sure to do everything we can to educate before they go on the medication," said Dr. Deborah Feltz, a the Elliott Bay Animal Hospital.
It's a warning echoed by those who know first hand what happens when a miracle drug proves imperfect.
Agree, verbatim transcription equals poor quality transcription.
x
Know AIM transcription system, never heard of Hull transcription. Are you sure
you are not thinking about DHull who is a recruiter for MDI-FL? They use the AIM system.
This is our profession -- a profession which is dying, I might add. SM
So I should get a hobby so I won't care, like you? A hobby isn't going to pay the bills. I can't afford a hobby because in addition to working for a living, I also have to study in a different career field in my spare for fear that eventually transcription will be strictly an offshore operation!
Transcription/QA pay
What is the average hourly pay for such a combo position? Southeast and Northern regions. TIA
how do you know who does their transcription? nm
Has anyone ever used transcription
equipment or heard of company Infoware? Hospital is looking at buying new equipment and just wanted to know any feedback on how easy to use.
Actually, transcription should go away
The electronic forms make a lot more sense. Who wades through those piles of records anyway? I'm not sure the whole narrative serves any purpose but perhaps in the courtroom. I'd like to think that dictating about the patient and his/her history helps clarify everything in the treating physician's mind, but I don't think anyone gives more than a cursory glance to the record later. And perhaps when looking for mechanism of injury, a brief narrative helps out... But I'm not sure we are really necessary. All that said, what are we going to do for a living now? Not all of us are 10 years or less from retirement.
OSI transcription?
Anybody have any experience with OSi transcription, good, bad or anything? I am going to be testing with them. What is their pay scale (I think most companies range from 7 cpl to 9 CPL).
PT transcription....
Has anyone typed for a PT Department, and how is the dictation. On a level of 1/10 what would you say. I'm currently doing neurosurgery, family medicine, orthopaedic, and pulmonary and thinking of possibly taking a position for a PT Company to do transcription in house. Any info would be greatly appreciated.javascript:editor_insertHTML('text',' ');
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C&C Transcription
Do anybody know anything about this company? I am really interested in applying, but I am a little confused about their test. Does anyone know how many tests to do to apply? Do you pick one category and do all the tests within or several tests within several categories? If someone has applied before I would really appreciate some info on how many I need to do. Thanks.
anyone know much about C&C transcription TIA
/
Transcription
Anyone read the article in Advance Magazine stating that transcription will be virtually obsolete as we know it in 3-5 years with take over of the back and front ends of speech recognition. Was curious as to opinions. Seems like this message has been repeated over and over.
Anyone know anything about T-C Transcription
in Florida?
Is transcription still a hot job?
I am wondering whether all this time and energy is worth it. I am not trying to be a downer, don't get me wrong. I am just reading over this board and wondering how we all can stand it anymore. I've been a Transcriptionist since 1993. Feeling like crap today. Hard work, is it worth it to all of you??  or or  not sure...
transcription course
Andrews School in Oklahoma City works closely with helping you get a job and they are excellent for transcription and coding.
US Transcription
I actually worked for this company for two years and w/out trying to bash, I would simply say to watch yourself. They have a very high turnover, and make a lot of promises they do not keep. They also play dirty with pay. If you work for them for a while you will very likely find out they are hiring new people at more than you make! Keep yourself informed and in close contact with their other transcriptionists if you decide to work for them! They also have a very nasty QA person who can be short and rude. She really wants things done "her way" whether it meets AAMT standards or not!
Why transcription?
Curious to know. What is the main appeal to you?
Why transcription?
I can work from home, set my own hours, be my own boss. I don't have to worry about what I'm going to do if my son is sick and has to stay home from school. I don't have to work in an office anymore and deal with the high school mentality and backstabbing that goes on. I save money on gas, can work in my comfy clothes, and save money on food from not having to eat out every day. I also enjoy getting to work in the healthcare field, and I love to type!
KMM Transcription
Is anyone familiar with KMM Transcription? I saw they had an ad for IC work, but I could not find anything in the archives on this company. Just curious!
Thanks
usa transcription?
I'm looking for a company called USA Transcription or something like that. Can anyone help with some possibilities? I have spent an hour on the archives and could spend hours more....lol
Thanks!!!!!!!!!!!!
Took a job outside of transcription-bye all gl
Other Transcription
Does anyone know if there is any other transcription out there such as legal transcription that can be done from home. I am trying to help a friend find some work that she can do at home. She has no medical experience, but is looking for something she can do to earn a little extra money a month, such as data entry, legal transcription. There are so many ads out there and she is looking for a reputable company. Anyone out there had any experience or know of any legit companies for data entry/legal transcription, etc. that can be done at home? Thanks for any input.
EMR and transcription
I worked one day a week in a large group practice and also did all of their transcription as an IC. They went to an EMR system. It took away approx 90% of my transcription, only a few office notes a day per doctor were being dictated, the rest was being entered into the EMR by the medical assistants, physicians and other office staff. It is a very tedious system, filling in blanks or picking items from a list, etc. It was really much more timeconsming for the physicians and staff, especially at the beginning, but they put so many $$$$ into purchasing it there was no way they were going to go back to dictating. I was offered a position scanning medical records and info into the system but the pay was less than half what I was making doing transcription as an IC. They have had to hire at least three people just to scan documents, etc and this will be a longterm comittment because they want to get their complete records into the system. Right now they do keep two part time ladies in the office that transcribe what litle they do dictate, they also are expected to do receptionist clerical work if there is no dictation to transcribe, etc. The system they have basically is point and click, using the mouse alot of the time, inserting standard phrases from a list into a template on the system, possibly typing five or six additional lines into the record, etc. Because of they way the system is set up, there was no way to make any kind of speed using the mouse, so the only thing would be to be paid hourly and unfortunately in a physicians office there is just no way to make the kind of $$$ that I could make transcribing, so I moved on to a national. There may be possibilities to do more transciption, it just depends what type of system they have and how much time the doctors want to spend entering in their own data. This has been my experience, maybe others have a different point of view. Good luck with it.
pay for new transcription
The lowest I have seen paid for transcription is 0.05 cents per 65 charcter line. The highest is over 0.10 cents. If I were you, I would charge somewhere in the middle around 0.07 or 0.08 cents which is the normal pay for many companies.
Transcription RPL
I am an IC working of my home for a physical therapy office. The office is quite demanding and because of the gas prices I am going to increase my rate from .12 to .14. Is there an average? I have to drive 15 minutes each way from my house to pick/up drop off everyday. When I went to school for this 12 years ago, the average rate then per line was .12. Any thoughts would be appreciated. I am typing on microcassettes.
OSI Transcription
Your sure sound sour grapes about them.
Where do you work now if you don't mind my asking. Are you happy?
other transcription
I am curious as to if there is other transcription, also, as I have done it for a mental health center. If you find out, would you please email me. And also, I am new at this, how do you post what you wrote? Thanks
JLG Transcription, FL
Looking for information/references from MTs in regards to working for this company. Any information would be most grateful
SPi transcription
Anyone out there who works for SPi and uses their software, which I love, feel that they do okay? Thanks in advance.
Using I-Pen for transcription
With the holiday commercials in full swing, I keep seeing the I-Pen commercial. I forget the name brand, and it may be called something else, but I am talking about the pen that works like a mouse and a pen where you write with the pen and then transfer it to your computer. Has anyone thought about or even tried to use the I-Pen for transcription? I'm wondering if it would give the wrists a break to be using a different input device than the keyboard. Any ideas would be appreciated. While I'm talking about productivity, has anyone become more productive using Dragon Speaking Naturally?
TIA!
will you use it for transcription?
x
What is IME transcription?
Can anyone tell me what IME transcription is? A company I might work for told me they have IME transcription, but I've never heard of that before.
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