The World of Medical Transcription

[linda_wah123]

The word “Transcription” is a combination of two word forms: Trans & Scriba. The prefix ‘Trans’ means across, beyond, through, so as to change; Scriba means official writer. From this, definition comes the meaning for transcription: to change the spoken word to the written word.

Medical Transcription is one of many growing professions in the health care industry. It offers challenge, interest as well as flexible career paths. This profession is suitable for those people who like to work independently, learn continuously, pay close attention to details and produce a perfect product.

From local neighborhood hospitals and clinics to transcription services around the world, physicians depend on medical transcriptionist to provide accurate documentation for their patient records. The medical transcriptionist serves as a vital link between the physician and the patient. The medical transcriptionist who works in office practice generally is the professional who translates and edits recorded dictation by physicians and other healthcare providers regarding patient histories, operation reports, autopsy reports, progress notes, referral letters, and other documents.

Medical Transcription is a field with many possibilities and areas for advancement. As a professional, multi-skilled medical worker, the medical transcriptionist can choose from a variety employment option. You work in a hospital transcription or medical records department or you can work in radiology, pathology or emergency department. In addition to having a wide choice in work environments, they have also several career option. Once they have experience in medical transcription, may opt to become independent. They may establish their own business or work at home.

With Best Regards

Linda

[Sexy Strawberry]

Hi Linda! I'm an interpreter, so I'm familiar with transcription in some sense... since in consecutive interpreting you have to take notes of everything that has been said... but I had never heard of medical transcription. Isn't it easier just to record what's being said? Is that your job?

[rdy2rac with]

They are somewhat similar Maria.

I work for doctors and am very familiar with the transcription side (I've dabbled in it and I also have to take a course in it to get my certificate in medical office administration and billing & coding). The doctor's dictate their report into a dictaphone, the dictation is then downloaded & emailed to a transcriptionist (most of ours work from home) who then types the report (our office uses Microsoft Word) and emails it back to our office.

I've found that having a basic understanding of medical terminology as well as a basic medical dictionary come in very handy.