Typing Speed
Posted By: MT2B on 2008-02-14
In Reply to:
I type about 70wpm with about a 98% accuracy rate. Per a couple online typing tests I took this week. I'm curious what speed accomplished MTs type? Is 70wpm fast enough? If not, are there any work at home classes or software packages to improve typing speed? Are there any you know work or recommend? Thanks in advance for your help.
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speed typing
Okay, ladies. I have been working for 8 months now as an MT and my typing accuracy still is lacking quite a bit. I have the typer shark program that I use sometimes. I type about 50 WPM. Not good enough for me. I was hoping that somebody could give me suggestions or hope that it will come with time. I seem to be a little bit better lately, but I keep hearing about MTs who type 300+ lines per hour. It takes me a couple hours or more to do that. Depending on the dictator, of course. One woman said she used to type the news and that seemed to help her. I just need some encouragement that I will get better, or maybe some people don't.
speed typing
I also use IT, as it is through the company I work for. I am still getting to know the program. I tried Mavis. I found her to be cute, but annoying. I think am just being impatient. I really like the typer shark program. It's actually fun. I think I will take the time to work on understanding IT, so I can get it to work for me.
Thanks your input. It did make me feel hopeful!
speed typing
Will do! Thank you for the encouragement.
What is your typing speed? - sm
Though most of being a great MT involves excellent listening skills, to make the most of production, IMHO, you have type like the wind and use macros, including macro sentences rather than words only. Just a thought - when was the last time you took a typing test? I think there is a free Web based typing test...
Typing Speed
Is there an easy way to calculate word-per-minute typing speed using the lines per hour I can do? -Thanks.
Typing speed conversion
Does anyone know the formula for converting lines per hour to words per minute?
Generally typing speed is
irrelevant, since the typical typing test usually involves straight copying from a printed or hand written sheet. Any transcription involves other functions than just typing, hence the standard typing speed means nothing.
Typing speed is not the key thing
but how efficient the dictator is in dictating, the distractions, the platform, etc. If you get alot of air ("uh, um, duh...") it brings your line count down big time.
I usually manage 1000 lines (with no distractions) in 4 to 5 hours.
What is your typing speed and do you use a lot of templates or have repetition?
??
I have never listed my typing speed. Never prevented
nm
Are you using two speed typing engines at the same time?
Or did I read that wrong. If that were possible, it'd be a breakthrough.
Speed typing engines are our best friends.
Shortcuts is why.
Tineoafod becomes
There is no evidence of a fracture or dislocation. This is IT. Where the first letter of each word is the shortcut. There are also continues and ability to have entire paragraphs be typed with IT by suggestion several possible continues from TINEO (There is no evidence of); ending the sentence based on the ways you have most consistently.
I am a novice IT user. Am about to try SH was many rave about it but IT has saved my fingers and also helps with the quality as chance of typing typos or word dropping is reduced. I tend to create my own phrases but that was with radiology which is redundant much of the time.
You have several to chose from. Other MTs will come along with better suggestions. Is important to know your program compatibility.
I try to think of this feature as a crossword puzzle and challenge myself to find the correct phrse or word fast to complete report and get on to next. Expanders make our job a bit more fun.
Utilize the speed typing engines and begin
storing in their favorite phrases so that a few letters will bring them up. I am working for several physicians. Took me a few months to get all the words into speed typing mode but now that I have, the time I spend typing is cut in half.
Never type a word larger than 4 letters.
chest pain - cp
pneumonia - pnea
atelectasis or infiltrate - aoi
so on and so on - whatever works for you. This is how to make money these days, high production. And the speed typing engines lessen change of typos and other erros.
XX,, I promise you can double that typing speed quickly SM
then triple it, and eventually quadruple it with an Expander used right. You're doing something wrong, but I assure you once you know what it is you can correct it easily and immediately start seeing the benefits having your expander do much of the typing for you.
To begin with, though, most of your increased speed is going to come NOT from inserting blocks of text standard for one dictator but rather abbreviations for the individual words, phrases, and headings you're constantly typing anyway.
For instance, I type RPSV for "reports that." It wasn't hard to remember. Variations of "report" are used constantly, so RP became report, RPS reports, RPG reporting, RPD reported. V is "that." AO is "also" for me, and F is "he", so "he also reported that" becomes FAORPDV and "he also reports that" becomes FAORSV. This is the first time I've seen those on paper; you don't memorize the long forms, just string together the constantly used short ones. Amazingly quickly your fingers remember (muscle memory?) so you don't have think about it.
Smartype is probably not the best expander but fine to start on since you have it. Later on, better programs have conversion programs that will allow you to move your abbreviations to that program.
In the meantime, go to productivitytalk.com and start reading and asking questions. If you wish, you can import a whole ready-made dictionary compiled by an MT abbreviations.
But you could also take another tack for now just as a trial. Instead of trying to use Smartype's abbreviations, if that's what you're doing, enter just a handful of your own that you can get very familiar with. I love these that I use and am happy to pass them on to anyone who wishes to try them:
Make T expand to "the"
F expand to "he"
G expand to "him"
K expand to "she"
J expand to "her"
T expand to "the"
B to "but"
Q to "who"
R to "right"
L to "left"
F to "for"
D for "and"
That's more than enough for now. If you do this, I think in a couple of days you'll be loving how a quick tap of the finger drops in all these little words so much that you'll eventually become addicted to abbreviating everything in sight--and to watching your scores on your speed tests rise and rise and rise... Best wishes.
increase speed 3, decrease speed 2...sm
increase backspace 9, decrease backspace 8. At least that's what mine does.
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???
Typing. This is NOT typing, it is transcribing. There is a BIG difference. sm
Transcription includes typing, but so much more.
Speed when it comes to DSL
I would love to cut my bills, with my DSL carrier have to have land phone in order to have internet. I do both VR and straight typing, mostly VR. Has anyone had any issues with similar, using the fastest DSL (which costs more) and then going to the lower rate (which costs less). I might be interested if I can find is there really that much difference in your speed?
Probably will! Maybe we could speed it along - sm
by sending the link to our local TV stations!
speed
your processor is what adds speed or diminishes speed. being as that your computer is 4-5 years old, your processor probably just cannot keep up with the expectations you have of it. With increased files and using an online platform, you probably need an updated processor. Also depends on how much you have *open* at the time of working on the online platform.
Speed
Definitely have to have a split keyboard. My wpm went up considerably with the split keyboard plus your hands don't get as tired because it is in a more natural position. 
Speed
I have found that timing myself with a stopwatch makes me get more done. Otherwise, I take my time and then I do less work. I make a limit for each transcription, and then I try to beat that time.
Abby
Speed
what speed do you all keep your dictations on? normal or chipmunk style?
I did this, what did it say your speed was?
It said mine averaged 180.
speed it up
I am in the same situation. My computer is fine, just slow, and I don't want to buy a new one, especially not with Vista. I bought 1GB of RAM from an ebay seller (new) for $35, watched a YouTube video on how to install it (super quick and easy), and now it is running a lot faster. I also ran a Scan Disk and Defragmenter to clean it up. I had hundreds of thousands temporary internet files that got cleared out.
MT'ing isn't all about speed, although...
of course it helps to type fairly fast. However, there is sooooo much more to it than just typing speed.
That being said, my own speed without using any text expansions isn't nearly as great as some mention here. I tested using expansions recently and hit well over 200 wpm. Thankfully, I am able to use a text Expander while working . . . otherwise I might starve to death. 
how to test for speed ?
is there an online test we can take? I'd love to take one nowadays ... it's been a while since I have !
JoJo
How long does it take to get up to speed at a new job?
Also, which is better, acute or clinic? I can't seem to get my production up to where it used to be. The reports are super short, about a minute or less. The header info is a tedious process of checking this, checking that, verifying everything. I don't know if this is going to work out, but I can't afford to be changing jobs again this close to Christmas. The work itself is super easy.
Had a speed-demon doc whose
nurse, whom I could hear in the background, asked him, "Geez, how can they understand you when you talk so fast?", and he replied, "Oh that's they way they like it!" Wonder where he got that idea? At least he talked to her so she could understand him...LOL.
Speed was an issue for me....
Hi, Sandi - If you've been working with a dial-up at home and haven't had a problem, I'll bet you won't have one with the PC card. My problem is that I am spoiled - in my home office I have the fastest DSL we can get in our area - 7 mbps. So, when I use my laptop remotely, the Verizon service almost seems like dial-up to me. Just to give you an idea, the last time I used it remotely, I downloaded 20 discharge summary dictations, most of them around 5 minutes long, and it took about 45 minutes for all of the audio to download. Of course, I was camping in an area where the cell phone signal wasn't that great, so that might have been a factor.
If I were you, I'd try out your card for a few days before you dump your other service, just to compare.... It's all what you are used to, I guess....
playback speed
Thank you, I will check on this. You all have been so helpful. Thank you very much!
Can you get high speed?
That's VERY expensive for dial up. Most high speed services cost about that.
VR - speed and training
Honestly, how fast will VR type the dictation. I read somewhere about 160? Is that all? I don't understand how a Transcriptionist can train the program when it is the doctor that is dictating. Can someone explain. I am trying to figure out if this is something I want - whether it be to save my wrists for the future/ or if it will type the work faster than I do. I am generally about 200 now, depending on the work, sometimes better, sometimes worse. TIA.
My speed is really high but this job is not what
it was years ago. With being an engineer, it would seem that the money should really be good there. I have done this now for over 30 years and if I had to do now and raise a family, I would have to work more than 1 job, possibly 3-4. It is really not the money maker it was once, not at all. The work is not easy, not just a typist job, in fact after all these years I still am always trying to make sure my QA is not lacking, otherwise your job is lacking as in gone. My speed is around 140 wpm but the speed is not what is really important. I found it extremely difficult starting out and trained for over a year inhouse before I ever earned production. This would not be a job I would recommend now unless you just want to stay at home with a child, do part time, retired, in other words where you want to put in time and really don't need to make a living doing it.
Speed Type
Has a utility available that will convert your present files to ST for a $15 fee .. well worth it from my little chair!! Also, Betsy works with people to make sure they are on the right track with ST and has a toll free number and she is the help desk and not overseas, which should indicate that she does not have heavy volume of technical calls. It is a great program.
I did downgrade from 5.0 speed sm
to 1.5 speed and I notice no difference. I have done both VR and straight typing on Extext and notice really no difference. Saved me a bundle of money. Sprint DSL.
With your experience and speed.....
I don't know why others are telling you to try production-based before going home. With a typing speed of what you say you can do, you would well exceed 18.00 an hour. I don't think my typing speed is much over 100-110, but I average 25.00-28.00 an hour. Good luck in whatever you decide.
Exactly what I was talking about, if not for speed
and I mean my typing, nothing else, I would not be able to make what I want to make. I have to absolutely without any doubt keep all my attention on my work for the straight full 8 hours, no breaks, no lunch, dinner, hardly bathroom breaks until I finish. I could have break and/or food but then would just have to work later on in the evening. If not for the fast speed and having my dictation set as fast as it will go and my keeping up with most times, I could not stay in this business. Like I said, in 80s almost 60thous, in the 90s 40thous and now in the 20thous. Next 10 years I will be paying to work for them, I guess!!!
I speed them up every chance I get!
Doubling Speed
I am pretty new at transcription and only typing approximately 100 lph. Any good tips on ways to help me double this? - I do use word Expanders (constantly making new and revamping as see fit).
I suppose practice, practice, practice is the main way; but I am guessing many of you who are experienced have discovered some helpful things along the way.
Really need to pay my bills, so I am willing to give any ideas a shot!
Thanks,
Kristy
doubling speed
One neat trick a fellow MT said was to push the dictator speed up just as fast as you can to still understand them. It really makes you perk up and pay attention, and keeps it going. Slowing down to understand them clearly seems to d-r-a-g you down. Hope it helps. :^)
I wish you could control the speed with
a keystroke. That would make it much more efficient IMO, instead of having to use the mouse.
Be sure you go into the spell-check settings and allow it to spell check capitals, especially if your account has you put allergies in caps (but even headings benefit from spell-checking).
Unfortunately it will then spell check patient names. Wish they could tell it not to spell-check the demographics.
Other than these quirks I think ExText works pretty well.
Maybe just me, but your speed is slow
at 70 wpm. I have been tested at 130-140 and getting the lines just not an effort- I think it has everything to do with the 70 wpm. You really need to build your Expanders and abbreviation list- that would help you tremendously.
I do VR, have my speed as fast as I can get and
I only average about 357 lph. There is no way I could get 1000 - my speed would not even go that fast.
In a word? SPEED sm
and you can email and I'll even send you my glossary for ST with 20,000 shortcuts in it.
I have used ST with MedRiteXL and it runs fine. You need to set ST to open when Word launches and not turn it off if you can help it. It doesn't crap up the MedRite, but it just works better. Also, if you use ST, have them turn off the built in Expander or you'll have problems, like the sentence not wrapping to the next line and/or an expansion at the end of a line spewing out garbage as it wraps.
Increase speed
Crank up the speed of the dictator as high as you can while still understanding it. Learn all the keyboard shortcuts and don't touch the mouse. If you hover your mouse over the buttons, you'll see the shortcut.
Is it that hard to get up to speed? Oh No!!
I have never ever taken more than 1 to 2 days maximum to master a platform, add my own expanders, often manually 1 word at a time, and be up to max production of 200-250 an hour. I am scared to death now - is there something complicated about MDI-MD? What have I done? Oh no!
Not for me. I was up to speed almost immediately.
Their platform is very basic (mostly in a good way). Stop panicking. If you don't usually have a problem switching companies and getting up to speed you won't here either.
Speed comes with practice
It may take several months to reach 150 lph. I agree with the other poster that an Expander is not necessary. Fooling around with the expander to load in abbreviations takes a lot of time. In spite of what expander-sellers say, you can easily reach 2000 lines a day without an expander if you are efficient. MTs did it for years on typewriters.
When you have done enough dictation to begin recognizing that all doctors say the same things over and over, and when you can recognize those things in spite of individual doctor differences, you'll begin to fly. It's a matter of learning what they ought to be saying so that you can understand them.
It's also a matter of focus. If you are trying to load up an expander, eat, do laundry, do daycare, fool with pets, you will never make progress. If you keep checking IM, email, and answering the phone, you'll never make progress.
Did your speed improve?
Did you get faster with this or is it just more comfortable? How long did it take to get used to it?
Thanks for the info!
Have you built up your speed yet? How did you
deal with the learning curve and still get your line count in? Thanks for posting this link!
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