while recovering from an injury, (sm)
Posted By: MT in California on 2006-10-14
In Reply to: Speech Recognition - expmt
I purchased and used Dragon. Cost me about $1000 by the time I purchased the nice microphone and software. If you don't mind the time it takes to "program" your voice and other features, re-listen to each dictation and copiously edit, and put up with all the quirks of the voice recognition, it is so-so at very best. It did allow me to keep my job and work while injured, but I certainly would not purchase it again if I were healthy and didn't have a real need for the product, as it probably took me 11 hours to complete what I could in eight by transcribing the old-fashioned way ... um, the one with all the wonderful Expanders we have available ;)
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I am a recovering biller,
and in my experience, the ONLY way you can work at home as a biller is to have paid your dues the hard way, by having established relationships with doctors' offices over a period of years, where they know you, they know you can do the work, and thus are willing to send it home with you.
I have known several people who have gotten caught up in the "work from home" fever and spent $$ on the alleged medical billing courses. Not one of them has managed to make a career out of it; in fact, none of them has even been able to snag a single client. So the whole thing was an enormous waste of money and time.
And this can only get worse as the entire medical reimbursement system goes further and further south. But that's another topic.
However... although transcription is not easy, and the money is nowhere near what it used to be, it isn't going anywhere soon. One of my co-workers, a recent Andrews graduate, got a job right out of school, working at home (with a 2-year-old), so that is known to be doable. If you choose the MT route, be sure you choose one of those two schools.
insult to injury
It is just the Pits! I would not want to work for them if I had any other choice at all. If no one works for them, they will have to change or do it all themselves! Yahoo.
Repetitve Stress Injury
Thanks so much for the help and advice. Yes, I do have the screen eye level but I might be able to adjust a few things. I think the doctor is my next stop however. One thing I notice is maybe I need to get to stretching more between dictations. I have a tendecy to focus on the work for too long.
My son also had a traumatic brain injury
Please let me know if you do find the answer to your question. My son, who lives with his father, has become a drug addict. He will not return to school or work; he is only interested in getting his SSI check and whatever else he can get from the government and everybody else. Please let me know if you have any answers. I do know that I went to college with a learning disability (ADHD), and I not only asked the professors to put me in the front and center seat but also had free tutoring for math classes when I needed it (I kept losing my glasses). They offer free tutoring through Student Services for a variety of handicaps. Good luck!
And adding insult to injury,
I have a few that dictate like they're trying to keep it all a big secret; ironically, it usually sounds like they are trying to keep their voices down so they don't disturb the people having the LOUD conversation 5 feet away! Hello, get a clue! Gaaaah!
Adding insult to injury,
it's IC (independent contract) work with an insultingly low line rate. If I were going to take THAT big a pay hit, it had BETTER have one KICKER of a benefits package attached to it. No, thanks. Don't call me and I won't call you.
In addition to the various fees charged if you don't jump through all their hoops (and they were a bit fuzzy about whether those fees would still be assessed if the failure to complete the required work was THEIR fault not yours, there was also some verbiage in their contract that sounded like they might require you to use a dedicated computer--i.e. you can't use the computer you use for their work for anything else. Naturally, they do not supply this dedicated computer. Excuse me, if I own the computer, I can do whatever I bloody well please with it.
R hand and R rotator cuff injury..but I did it
Well, I broke my right hand years back, around 1986, and still went to work, without a cast, cause I had to work..Would work till it hurt too much and made me nauseous, then would go to the ladies room, get cold water on a towel, put it on my hand and go back to work.
In 2003, I tore my R rotator cuff. Opted for no surgery as I do not have insurance..Had to still work, Im the only *bread winner*..Put my R arm in a sling..took lots of ibuprofen, rubbed my shoulder with Ben Gay..Sometimes had to pick up my R arm and place it on the keyboard cause my arm couldnt do it..When I got on the keyboard, I was find..it was just lifting to my keyboard..It was hell..but what could I do..I will not rely on a govt program, never have, and I had to make a salary, have no family to depend on, would never ask my friends..So I did it myself..R shoulder still hurts sometimes, especially when I sleep..but I was able to get through it and you will too..
Repetitive Stress Injury Neck
I am in bad shape with my neck and I thought maybe I could come here for some advice before I go to my doctor. I have an injury there already, but I thought it healed. I do 8 to 10 hours a day of typing and computer work. I do sit in an ergonomic chair, but I have very bad neck pain still...primarily on the left and it is a sharp intermittent pain.
Repetivie stress injury neck
I had fusion at C6-7 15 years ago, with release of nerve entrapment. Now I also am getting the same pain back in my neck and arms from transcription. I have been on muscle relaxants and pain killers. My desk is ergonomically correct as is my chair, level of screen. My screen is eye level. I may need another MRI, as it is now affecting my neck/shoulder. I am going to try a back cushion to see if that will help me. There are several stores that sell these and they are not too expensive. I know the pain, it is horrible and I feel for you. I would just try to see what your doctor can offer you. Cortisone injections do work as does physical therapy. Good luck and I hope your pain is gone soon.
Last year I got repetitive stress injury..sm
have been working on and off as an MT for 20 some years. One year I worked radiology and I can remember actually putting out 200 reports one day. I never got carpal tunnel with the keyboard but could get it with the mouse. About two years ago, I had a busy stint where I was probably working 6-7 straight hours, then my fingers began to hurt. First it was the thumbs, then it was all my fingers. Just ached. Not arthritis, because joints were not red or swollen. I even bought a parafin bath, tried NSAIDs. Finally investigated on the internet to find out I had repetitive stress injury. I stopped typing (fortunately I own a small MTSO) and just let my fingers rest. To this day, two years later, of almost NO typing, all it takes is about 3 hours straight typing and it's back. I've decided I've hurt my fingers irreparably and any further damage I do now, I will just pay for later with arthritis or something. Sorry to hear about your disability.
Son suffering from traumatic brain injury.
My son was hit by a car 7 years ago and sustained a traumatic brain injury. He was in a coma and went through over a year of rehabilitation. He was 15 at the time and finished high school, went on to Junior College and has just finished a year at a state university. He has struggled with learning disabilities and short term memory problems since the accident and has barely passed his classes. It looks as though this was his last semester at school because his grade point average isn't high enough to let him continue school. He will be put on academic suspension. He wanted to go away to school so badly and worked so hard to make it and I know he will be so disapointed when he finds out he won't be going back in the fall.
He is definately a miracle and I thank God everyday that he is alive but I don't know what to do to help him anymore. My question is "Is there anyone out there with a similar situation who can give me some advice on where to go from here?"
...to prevent carpal tunnel and other repetative stress injury. nm
s
anon - the almighty $ will show in personal injury/malpractice cases. (nm)
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