Offshore work is rarely client ready. Who is going to edit
Posted By: for you and at what cost? nm on 2007-01-30
In Reply to: Question ... How would you handle this? - sm
p p
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Client wants to start VR..Wants me to edit...sm
Ok, whew, I've researched until I'm blue on this one. Learning a lot here.
I have a question for you all. I have a potential client who wants to start recording his dictation with Dragon Naturally Speaking and then have me do the editing.
I'm just not getting this. Is there a MTSO that provides both VR and file transfer where I can edit? Is there an obvious answer to this, and I'm just so new to this field I'm not seenig it? How would I get both the word document and voice file to me so that I can edit it remotely?
Any numbers to call or pointers would be great! 
I edit offshore, seen nothing makes me worried for
asdf
This is true. I work for the Q -rarely run out
of work (live in CA). And by the way, I would get paid my benefit rate (which is at least twice the CA min wage. I always thought this was why I never got NJA. But at the same time, I know they would love it if I quit.
My clients hold the work for me. Of course, I rarely take off unless I'm sick. What's a vacati
I have one client for 11 years, another one for 15 years. They wait...they don't want anyone else doing their work. Are they spoiling me or am I spoiling them? My vacations consist of a 2 day fishing trip. One day to the site, 1/2 day fishing, and back home again.
If I'm sick, they understand. I still do the work, but at a pace that won't make me sicker. I sually catch up in a couple days.
Speaking of offshoring MT work, who does not directly send work offshore?
Just curious. Has anyone got a list of companies who do not send work offshore? Precyse? MQ? Spheris?
Independents who must edit their own work
I spent a few minutes reading the thread re QA complaints that MTs do not adequately edit/proof their work. As an independent contractor with my own clients I must proof my own reports and be responsible for my own product. The buck stops here.
I worked for a national once for a grand total of 3 months. It was not to my liking at all. First of all,let me say this, my clients have never heard of BOS. I have been an independent for 11 years and not one of them knows anyone by the name of BOS. I prefer to use the Oxford grammar site if I have any questions re grammar, punctuation, etc. Also, I ask my clients how they want their reports to be punctuated and edited. The client is the ALWAYS right, regardless of BOS. I will suggest certain punctuation and grammar, but if they insist on having it a certain, well so be it. They are paying me to transcribe their reports the way they want them done.
My 3 month experience with the national and their red/yellow highlighting happy, BOS addicted QA department, had me running for the hills and back to my own clients, which of course was much more profitable. I am quite computer literate, can navigate the internet, Google and even read a reference book.
In my opinion, if QA could find a way that was a little less like a dissaproving school teacher and more like a mentor, then perhaps the MT's would be more appreciative and welcome any assistance offered.
I would like to edit Indian work
what companies hire you to edit work from India? I have never been without work, but would be interested in doing some of this editing. If you know of companies, please post them. thanks
No one comes out of MT school ready to work...sm
Students will come out of the top 3 schools ready to work, but will have to work for lower line rates as apprentices. So who do you think the MTSOs will hire?
We won't hire newbies that's for sure. There's way too much training that you have to do with a brand new MT, lower line rate or not. That's the least of our worries as MT's.
well, it IS work related. I edit those reports all the time.
nm
Offshore Can Work
Dinosaur,
You are also making an assumption that this is a US/Asian thing while it is not. I am in fact an English-speaking South African. The fact is we do not run sweatshops, I earn more from my own doctors here than I do from the US clients I work for. There were various posts, I was not singling out yours, that inferred things like "pseudopsychologists", "sweatshops" and the like. In fact, there were posts that referred to the poor quality of work. I really do think that one of the big reasons offshore does work is because of the time zone difference - and that's not a bad thing if patient's can get back their reports timeously. Is it so foreign an idea that we could possibly work harmoniously together?
AnnieK
Offshore can work? Obviously it can and does....sm
But once again you're missing my point. Yes, the time zone difference makes it advantageous to send work offshore! Yes, it is a good thing to get patient records in as expeditious a manner as possible! I'm glad your not running a sweatshop, however, I never said that offshore transcription companies were running sweatshops! Yes, I am guilty of assuming (based on previous responses to my postings that you were from an Asian country.) Mea Culpa! Sorry, just an incorrect assumption on my part.
But, you are missing my point! Americans cannot compete on an equal basis with countries whose economies make it possible to live well on what is well below the poverty level here in the US. Just a plain, unpalatable fact! As an American I am asking other American transcriptionists to make our Senators and Congressmen (and women) aware of the complexity of offshore outsourcing in all fields. While it has it's benefits it also creates unemployment. America cannot survive if all jobs that CAN BE done by professionals overseas are outsourced. Furthermore, other than the time zone difference, the only reason work is being outsourced is money. Money that is going back into the coffers - not to build up the company, not to expand, but, more and more often only to be placed into the hands of the CEO's. CEO's that get "golden parachutes", CEO's that get fired for mishandling the company and take their 100 million dollar "parachute" and leave - only to take another CEO job that may or may not be good for the company. There is no pre-requisite in their contract that the company make money or do well! That's why we're being nickeled and dimed to death here. Greed and avarice!
I don't believe in socialism, I am a firm believer in democracy. However, I believe in taking responsibility and doing what is not only good for "me" but what is good for the country. Old fashioned and out of date, maybe, but I think if America is to succeed in the 21st century we need to start thinking about what America and Americans need and not just "get mine while the getting is good".
So, I have no problem with working harmoniously with any group of professionals. But I do have a problem with the fact that Americans are losing jobs due to economics. Especially since I believe that the factors leading up to the economics is due to greed and mis-management.
Work is being sent offshore
Healthcare has expanded. Offshoring is a way to have large volumes typed in a short amount of time. Most offshoring is larger hospitals and institutions. Your smaller practices stick with the smaller MTSOs or ICs. Offshoring is not due to crappy MT work. These posters with their greater than thou QA attitudes need to get over themselves. QA is to assure the client receives an accurate document.
I just heard of an institution that I worked for when with a company that offshores. The reports are horrible with a lot of blanks being sent back to the client. So tell me, how is their QA? Notsogood!!! LOL QA is a short sell. It sounds good in the contract. Your reports will be QA'd, bunch a bologna. Oh palleezzz!! Get over it already. I highly doubt there are physicians sitting around saying "Hmmm, this American MT really stinks and leaves a lot of blanks, I think I send my work to India..." Yeah, I'm so sure! 
Too much work is sent offshore so if everyone
quit working for companies that offshore aren't going to be enough positions to provide jobs with companies who don't offshore.
ICs work for more than one client, always.
x
It's up to the client how they wish their work done.
Yes, I know it is our initials on the report. I've done work for hospitals and physicians who want pure verbatim, modified verbatim, an old version of BOS and their own modifications, updated BOS, no BOS and no verbatim, and "just type what I say that's what I pay you for." The one thing you can do to cover yourself is just save your work to a CD/floppy/Zip. If you don't feel comfortable about something, flag it for QA and let them make the last decision, but at least you have your original to go by in case something happens along the way. You have proof of what you typed and what was changed at the other end.
I say let them try to send all of their work offshore
I think they would end up with some unhappy clients.
Are any of you who "edit" offshore work
concerned that by doing this, you are helping yourself out of a job? What if these companies hire nothing but Indian transcriptionists because they are so cheap. Won't that put all of us out of jobs eventually? or am I just being dense. My company recently asked me if I would "edit" (aka "train"), and I refused.
Editing offshore work
Some of their work is better than the work I see by American MTs. Don't be so quick to judge. Yes, they do see editor's feedback and they learn from their mistakes quickly. I have said this before, there is plenty of work to go around. There is no need to worry unless you are one of the lazy American MTs who only want to work when it is convenient for your schedule.
Well, yes, but then the quality of the offshore work (sm)
would be worse than it is now, with not enough people to edit it, it would get way behind TAT, and eventually it will come back to us.
But their work is NEVER allowed offshore, either....
?
Do I need both a client and a server for this to work?
I am a little confused. I get how FTP works, but not sure what I need to do to make it work...if that makes any sense.
But consultants work with the client and sm
make it their point to find out everything they can. This guy is only trying to help. He may not know all about our business, but I think if people would listen and learn.........
There are a lot of good ideas that float around on the board, but how about putting them all together and really doing something?
Is it possible some of the account work is going overseas. MQ does offshore you know.
:
Their own website says they offshore work to the Phillipines. nm
Equates to sending our work offshore.
I NEVER shop at Walmart. Google their business practices, they are the pits!
As editor, I have yet to see offshore work with correct
df
I had the same thing with a client in Indiana - did their work for 5 years
Then someone from Connecticut stole the account - underbid me, and the work just kept getting slower and slower, and I asked questions of what was going on, and no answer. Finally the girl that USED to send the work to me called me and told me they were going with Mary's service, and I should be looking for something else, and that they had no intention of telling me because they were using me for stats, etc. (I didn't charge extra for stats, and she did).
So Mary, I know who you are, and I hope RP's dictation is driving you NUTS!
There I feel better.
I guess it depends on what company or client you work for. nm
x
Does PC ShortHand work on Emdat or Word Client?
And if so how do I get it to work when using these platforms?
Today is different and you cannot fight companies who LEGALLY can offshore work.
So all Americans refuse to buy goods, shop at stores, or work for companies who offshore. That leaves a mess. Do you realize a lot of American companies are actually owned by foreigners? Get real and move into 2005. You are going to spend a lot of time boycotting once you do the research. I doubt you will be able to shop or work at all.
Overloaded with work - MY company doesn't offshore, so no problem for me
Strike in Pakistan slowing down offshored work here. Just another example of offshore
:+
How do you get the shorthand word expander to work in 'word client'?
nt
Part-time work using Extext/word client/dictaphone
Anyone know any companies that are hiring that use this system? I really want to start part-time and then probably commit to full time later. I really want a company that supplies your equipment! Thanks.
Please post offshore topics on Offshore Concerns board. (NM)
Thank you.
Goldbird
Offshore typed hamster release instead of hamstring release. As long as work is offshored,
:P
I rarely get to do them
I would love to type OPs. I rarely get to do them and like with anything, you don't use it you lose it but most places I work someone has been there longer and knows all the docs who can fly on OPs and that's who gets to do the OPs.
I try to keep in practice with doing it all and really hate to be limited to one type of report.
I'm rarely on here lately because of schedules ...
I work when I want to so stick it if you don't like it! Hahaha
I also use Ask.com, I love OPs but get them rarely, sm
make good money though.
I rarely use my Stedmans
Its so much easier just to type in what your looking for! I must have 20 books just sitting on my shelf!
it's rarely offered anymore, thanks to the
AAMT. They started the whole problem, and then they bailed out after everybody decided it was the most honest method to determine what a "real line" was.
But there's still a way to break even. Go to this web site: http://www.medicalese.org/line_count.html
Figure out what you want to bill for gross lines. That would be under the 45 cpl column (trust me on this ... I did stats for years when I was billing for gross lines). Compare it to what you would get paid if you billed for a 65-char line and that's what you want to be paid.
IOW, if you want to make 9 cpl for gross lines, under the 45 line length column it would be $200. Go over to the 65-char line and see how close you can match things up. It's 13 cpl = $200.00. That's what you want to make the same amount.
I rarely use books any longer....sm
However, I would get Vera Pyle's Med. Term book, Ellen Drake Sloane's Medical Word Book, and Claudia Tessier's Surgical Word Book. Also Quik-Look Drug Book. This is only if you are still using books 24/7/365. The web has faster access in my opinion.
I rarely watch TV, much too busy. nm
I rarely, if ever, use the 2nd Edition. So nope, I have
X
My phone rarely (if ever) rings, but my -
cat is constantly interrupting me, getting in front of my monitor to get attention. Either that, or she'll sit in the kitchen and yowl until I come out to see what on earth is wrong - only to find she's all bummed out because there's a single cat-hair floating in her water dish. :/
We try to set good examples for our kids. We rarely
drink, don't have alcohol in the house except for cooking wine/sherry, don't smoke, don't do drugs, are honest, hard working people. My oldest son has "friends" who smoke, who put vodka in their Coke cans, cuss, steal, etc. My son is a good kid and no I'm not naive and he isn't doing this stuff behind my back because we spend lots of time together. My son is a health freak and won't allow anyone to smoke around him. We've also tried to explain to him that even if he isn't drinking if someone he is with is caught drinking then he is guilty by association and he knows he needs to avoid these kids. He has come home before upset that kids were using seriously foul language. The "F" word at our house is spelled f-a-r-t.
We live in a country club community. The kids around here get new cars when they turn 16. The parents don't keep up with their kids, just give them money. My son has to earn his car with saving $$, keeping out of trouble, and good grades. I don't keep tabs on him 24/7, but I know where he is at ALL times so that if I need to find him I can. He even asks me if he can get on-line so I know he isn't using the computer for porn. He is concerned that he doesn't have enough testosterone because he isn't wanting to sleep with anything that stays still long enough. Don't know that his friends are, but they talk a good talk anyway.
I think you are wise to be concerned and just need to keep open communication with your kids and hope that he makes good choices. My son was a follower when he was younger and I had serious concerns about how he would be growing up, but now he has become a leader and I'm very proud of him because so far he is making good choices.
Rarely use any books anymore. I use Google.
nm
Same here, I like operative notes, but rarely get them, by the end of the day (see inside)
I am fuming. I make more money on operative notes and am motivated. Discharge summaries are hard to make money on for me, as they are all different.
I am actively looking for another job. I am not one to job hop. I just cant see feeling like this all day long. Good luck.
Millions may have learned it, but rarely perfectly.
And learning it and speaking it are two different things. Lyndia makes a great point.
A pet peeve of mine is American arrogance in the sense that most of us don't really know a second language. Maybe we had some in high school, but most of the people I know speak one language, American English, and that's it. So we don't know how it is but we bash others for not learning it perfectly.
I don't mind the ESLs who try hard to communicate. I get ticked at the ones who don't care, and I think most would agree that it's obvious who those are by their dictation and their patient rapport.
I rarely have expander blips now that I use marker keys.
xx
I remember all that, too. The parents rarely, if ever, questioned the teacher or the principal.
I wonder what the change is? Do we parents have egos because now most of us have as much education as teachers do? Are we unwilling to sit back and never question "authority figures"? Do we remember being wronged in our own childhoods, so we're quick to defend?
I try not to be a buttinsky at my kids' schools, but sometimes I just don't agree with how they're doing things there. One day, three bigger boys with bad home lives and a history of fighting jumped my son, who is the most peaceful kid you've ever met. Two of them held him down while the third one was on top of him punching and kicking him. My son had to bite the kids to get them off of him. He was cut, bruised, and had a bloody nose. Guess who got punished? My son did, for biting. I called the cops and intervened at the school because my son has my full permission to defend himself against bullies, especially on a 3-on-1 situation.
I also remember being punished for things at school when I did nothing wrong, then my parents punished me a second time because of what the teacher said. I got detention for sneezing in class once. One of my teachers publicly humiliated me and threatened to pull me out of all the advanced classes if I didn't publicly apologize to another teacher when I wasn't even the one who said whatever it was she was upset about. One of my male teachers actually picked up a student and slammed him into the chalkboard, ripping the kid's shirt off in the process. So yes, I'm going to stay on the schools and make sure my kids aren't hassled by any burnt out teachers who are just biding their time until retirement. My kids aren't angels, but they're not demon spawn either.
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