Facts About Medical Transcription

Medical transcription is the specialization of medical language and health care documentation, where medical transcriptionists (MTs) provide transcribing services to various health professionals. These transcribed voice files become part of patients' medical records and electronic files that can easily be shared among providers. Unfortunately, the steady increase of dictations has not been equally met with the same growth rate of qualified MTs. Therefore, speech recognition systems are utilized to transcribe voice files as well. However, the transcriptions vary in quality and still require review by MTs. Outsourcing medical transcription work is also done, but the demand for domestic medical transcribers remains unaffected.

Characteristics Ideal for Medical Transcription

• MTs need to possess exceptional English grammar and punctuation skills. Furthermore, knowledge of medical language, anatomy, diagnostic procedures, pharmacology, physiology and treatment assessment is a must in order to produce quality medical transcription. Keyboarding skills, and visual and auditory capabilities need to be up there too. MTs utilize computers, headsets and foot pedals while transcribing for hours at a time. Concentration skills therefore also need to be exceptional for prospective candidates.

Education

• The Association for Healthcare Document Integrity (AHDI) provides educational guidelines for educators in the Curriculum for Medical Transcription. Currently, there are no accredited medical transcription education programs. AHDI recommends candidates take a two-year program that includes a transcription externship program of a minimum of 100 hours. Intensive study should take place in medical terminology and health care documentation. Medical transcription schooling is not mandatory, but most employers require it in order to get the foot in the door. Proprietary and vocational-technical schools, community colleges and online programs offer medical transcription courses.

Certification

• Individuals receive diplomas or certificates when graduating from two-year programs or one-year certification programs, but these are not the same as the professional credentialing awarded by AHDI. Qualified candidates must take and successfully pass the Registered Medical Transcriptionist (RMT) or the Certified Medical Transcriptionist (CMT) examinations to acquire order these certification designations. Though these certifications are completely voluntary, the RMT and CMT are the gold standard for many employers. Therefore MTs should get both of these certifications to increase employment and advancement opportunities.

Speech Recognition Technology

• The growth rate for qualified MTs has been significantly less than health care provider dictations. Demand for MT services will only increase with an increasingly aging population requiring medical tests, procedures and treatments. To compensate for these shortages, speech recognition technology is utilized by health professionals, though it is not ideal because these systems do not understand human speech nuances or patient health records. Therefore, the quality of speech recognition system transcriptions vary, requiring little to a lot of editing by MTs.

Outsourcing

• Escalating health care costs and shortages of U.S. medical transcribers has led to increased outsourcing to countries such as Pakistan, India, Barbados, Canada and the Philippines. Right now only a small percentage of medical transcription services are outsourced. Any voice files outsourced are then further reviewed from domestic medical transcriptionists to ensure U.S. standards and accuracy are met. While demand for domestic medical transcription services remaining unaffected with the increased usage of speech recognition systems and outsourcing, this could always change. Therefore, AHDI recommends keeping up with technology, medical terminology and professional credentialing to increase job security and advancement opportunities.