Medical Transcription: The Misconceptions and Truths

In recent times there have been many wrong assumptions and misunderstandings regarding medical transcription, giving it a bad name. Given below are a few myths:

Healthcare transcription is simple and all can be a transcriptionist: This is a common misconception about transcription, given that entry into this occupation is comparatively simple. No recognized qualifications are needed except for a grasp over for the English language, good typing aptitude and a keen ear. In spite of the simple entry to meet the criteria as a medical transcriptionist, an individual has to be subjected to exhaustive training in medical terms, procedures and drugs. This profession also needs people to regularly educate themselves on the latest progress in the medical industry

Medical transcription is just a data entry service: Transcription is a service, which requires aspects like sharp hearing, applying context when in doubt and an huge store knowledge base to refer from unlike data entry. Moreover transcription goes beyond just a data entry service by having added advantages like efficient transcript delivery, archiving and enhancing value to the healthcare provider in terms of bringing down staff burden, conserving capital investment in medical transcription, and freeing up resources like utilities and office space.

·Medical transcription can be substituted with voice recognition software: Voice recognition software is a software that automatically turns the dictation of the physician into a typed text. On the face of this, it sounds like the solution to the transcription requirements of a hospital.

But this software is not user friendly because of the following reasons:

The software has to be 'taught' to recognize the sound of the person dictating and terminology utilized
A healthcare professional has to dramatically slow down his regular pace of dictation and speak in a prescribed manner, specifying punctuation etc., bringing about loss of work level of the doctor

Despite of all these preparations the accuracy of the voice recognition software has been found to be only 60%-80%.

Due to such below par quality levels the need for transcriptionists arises to proof read the transcripts and edit them to bring them up to the required standard of accuracy.

Outsourcing transcription is time consuming: Outsourcing transcription can be simplified by specifically finding the correct requirements of the healthcare facility and assessing a prospective transcription vendor by these attributes. A fast way to assess the service provider is through:

a. Methods of accuracy levels
b. Pricing method used
c. Technology used
d. Measures for ensuring HIPAA compliance
e. Training methods used
f. Assessing if all the work in done in-house or through the use of sub-contractors.
g. References
h. Sampling the services

All these information can be accessed through the service provider’s website

Seeking the services of a vendor for transcription affects the turnaround time adversely: Outsourcing transcription actually fine tunes the delivery time and regulates any extra needs due to rise in patient visits. Outsourcing also takes care of weekend and holiday transcription needs, thus lessening the delivery time.

Seeking the services of a vendor for transcription will negatively affect the quality of records: Outsourcing actually enhances the accuracy level of the transcripts transcribed, when done right. The healthcare facility needs to look a service provider who has a thorough method for attaining accuracy; specialty based training methods and executes all transcription work in-house.

Outsourcing transcription has hidden costs that will increase the expense per line: The expense per line of transcription is largely ascertained by the billing method used. Picking a service provider that uses a reasonable method of billing will make sure that there are no hidden costs, and help keep costs down.

Outsourcing medical transcription is not safe: This is one of the main myths perpetuated due to a few unfortunate incidents in the past. The confidentiality precautions used by the transcription company need to be studied in detail to ensure security breaches are prevented. The transcription company needs to be assessed for security on the basis of:

a. Software and tools
b. Facilities and infrastructure
c. People and processes

Outsourcing transcription would require an entirely new Information Technology (IT) setup: Outsourcing to the right transcription company would make sure this does not happen. Care needs to be taken to choose a service provider who is aware the special needs of the end users and ensures that the technology takes care of all the needs and at the same time is very simple to use. Features like a flexible mode of dictation, easy uploads & downloads and archiving facilities need to be considered in the assessment process.

While outsourcing transcription it is essential to hire the correct service provider who can dismiss all these myths.