Maybe a silly question, but what makes a platform bad? sm

My company has just changed to a new software, and I don't think I'm ever going to be able to make any money.  The reason is because there are a lot of steps involved just to get to the typing part.  If you get a string of short reports, you'd be extremely lucky to get the minimum required for the day.  Are there other things that make a platform bad?  I'm trying to decide whether to stick it out or not.  Don't want to jump out of the frying pan, so to speak.  Thanks

• OK, what is the abolute WORST platform - Survey Says
  • Maybe a silly question, but what makes a platform bad? sm - lm
  • Heartland's GEMSTAR is awful... - Ohio MT
    • I second that.. - AmenSister!
  • Vianeta - it sucks
    • Vianeta - kn
    • sucks is a compliment. - stupid vianeta. n/m
    • Raising hand,,,, I vote Vianeta, too. nm - Just me

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Hi Jay,  I took the survey just now, but one caveat I have that I was hoping to be able to comment on in the survey but it was not asked (and I believe is a key component to the way people will respond favorably or not to VR) is what VR platform they are using.  They are definitely not all created equal.  I work on eScription, which is MS Word-based, and have made more money doing eScription VR than straight typing (previously also in an MS Word-based platform).  I have seen another person's experience in a non-MS Word-based platform, and they have not had the same experience as I have had with tremendous gains in productivity.  It is a platform that basically resides in a Web browser window and prohibits use of all the built-in MS Word productivity tools (autocorrect, autotext, spell check).  Some people seem to think that the need/use of these tools vanishes in VR, but it does not.  So, robbed of such tools in a non-MS Word-based system such as some VR platforms, there will probably be disappointing gains in productivity compared to MS Word-based VR platforms.  I can attest to this personally.  This goes for platforms that will not work with Expanders such as InstantText (which I use) or any of the other Expander programs.  So, what I am saying in summary is that not all VR platforms/programs are created equal, and I think it is very important to distinguish which platform people use that are responding to your survey, because I feel that greatly influences their experience with VR and, hence, response to your questions on the survey.  Good luck with your speaking....

If a MTSO advertises that the MT works in MS Word and sends dictation by FTP, does this usually mean there will be no demographic/doctor database and the demographics will not be autopopulated?

I got into a mess with a small company (got out real quickly too).  I was required to print out daily email copies of the doctors' office patient schedules (which were barely legible) and type in all information.  I spent more time hunting for the correct patient through pages and pages of these schedules.  Then I had about 25 pages worth of doctor's names that I would have to go through to find the attending, referring, etc.  A total waste of time as I didn’t get paid for that. 

I wish MTSO would give more information as to what platform they use (if any).  Proprietary software is such a generic, totally useless description.  Would they buy a new car that listed, "Car has gasoline operated motor?" 

And for Pete's sakes, why so secretive about the pay?  Give a ballpark figure.  Just say, pay is between 7-12 cpl depending on skill, testing, etc. Tell me if you pay for spaces, headers, etc.  It would save them time because I wouldn’t even apply for a 7 cpl job. 

Before I spend an hour or two testing, I need more information from a company to be sure it is compatible for my needs.  If the MTSO would spend a little time on their website detailing their platform, how they send/receive files, pay rates,  how line rate is determined (spaces/no spaces) employee/IC/SE status, minimal line count, whether work pools consist of 100s of doctors, or smaller pools with 25-50 doctors etc.   Having all this information on their website would save them time and the MTs time.   Phoenix Medcom has a really good layout describing pretty much everything an MT would want to know before testing with them.  I am just tired of testing with a company and then finding out the job wasn’t exactly suited to my needs. 

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

you could try using a pair of toddler training pants (or something similar) while you are supervising him.  I have a female dog that was injured in a fight with one of my other dogs and she would not stop licking the wound.  Since it was on her shoulder, I got one of my grandsons old shirts and put it on her, didn't look all that good, but it did the trick long enough to get it to heal. I would suggest you make sure it is something fabric, as the disposable types may be too easy to chew up and swallow, causing a whole new set of problems to deal with.  By the way, let me just say thank you for being a good pet owner and having your pet neutered.

I should have removed "you" and inserted "I." 

I have nothing but the greatest admiration for anyone who has the time and patience to learn these programs, the memories to retain the information (tpwbttop ...), and the brain power to read quickly and make the decision over what you what lickity split.

I'm glad to finally know why I hated school so much. 

I should have known this. Thanks for the info.  

The admin. wants to put this entire thing on me.  She is stating things in comments that are so wrong.

You girls take it easy.  Thanks for all your responses.  I know my business, contracts with ICs, pays, etc and I do not need this stress and the admin is wanting me to somehow show her things that Doris Latta has created in Word or something? Not sure...........  but I was able to clear this up with the Labor Board and everyone else that had to have a response.

So 10-4 and I am out!  XO 

hey, are you talking about that company who makes employees sign a contract not to talk about them on any internet forum?

you mean the one where the account managers get bonues and are investors and don't care if you meet your line count as long as their assigned accounts get TAT met so they get monthly bonuses too and screw you out of your bonuses?

Oh, well, why didn't you say so!  Nay, I couldn't do it.  I have e-t-h-i-c-s.

I don't recall ever hearing of them before. Are they commonly found in the New England area or just in the warmer parts of the country?

I've been an MT for 12 years now.  The Drs I worked for used WordPerfect so that's what I used.  Well, new job uses Word.  That's fine except I'm having 1 glitch...I have it set so that the 1st ltr/1st word of sentence is CAPS.  However, when ending a sentence with a number, this doesn't happen.  One of the Drs I now type for uses dates to end sentences ALL THE TIME.  What am I missing? 

Thanks.

I see the abbreviations of MTSO, ICs and am wondering what these are. Feel like I should know, but never really worked for a company other than a Hospital.

Thanks Carla

While it is a small hassle to fix the age--and everyone would agree to that--it's ridiculous to suggest that you start charging for this service. The OP is obviously a conscientious worker and wants to do a good job--applause! Details of the job, while sometimes annoying, are what we paid to do. If the compensation is not overall adequate, then this is certainly not going to improve the situation and may, in fact, result in the office finding someone else to do the job.

I hope the next idea is not charging to turn on the computer.

My 11-year-old just got over a nasty stomach flu and vomited until there was nothing left in her. Temp of 101 to 103 off and on, etc.

She felt better on day 2 and wanted a blue "slushy". After convincing me that her stomach was fine and that all she needed was a blue "slushy" I ended up cleaning a blue bathroom floor.

If it is this flu, it took about 3 days to run its course. Ginger ale and popsicles helped.

She was ready for tacos on the middle of day 3 and is making up for lost time. Good luck.