Independent Training Program

Module 1 – Medical Transcription Technology54 Hours

Module 2 – Anatomy and Physiology 36 Hours
Module 3 – Medical Terminology/Disease
Process and Pharmacology 96 Hours
Module 4 – Grammar and Style Essentials36 Hours
Module 5 – Health Records 21 Hours
Module 6 – Advance Medical Transcription129 Hours
Module 7 – Practicum 160 Hours

532 Hours
Medical
Transcription

Module 1
Module 1 – Medical Transcription
Technology
• Introduction To Medical
Transcription
• Overview Of Computers
• Operating System – Windows
(File Management)
• Word Processing – MS Word
• Computer Ergonomics
• Technology Used In MT
 Introduction to
Medical Transcription
 What’s inside?
 What is Medical Transcription?
 Roles of a Medical Transcriptionist.
 Frequently Asked Questions about
Medical Transcription.
 Issues concerning Medical Transcription.
What is Medical Transcription?
Act of translating
from oral to
written form the
record of a
person’s medical
history, diagnosis,
and outcome.
Role of Medical Transcriptionists

Interprets, translates, and edit

medical dictation for content and
clarity to produce a permanent
medical record.
 So in general….
Medical transcription reports are
basically for…
 Medical records safe keeping
 Legal documentation, and
 Requirements for insurance
reimbursements.
Understanding the Profession of Medical
Transcription

A medical transcription job involves

accurate encoding into electronic format
the oral dictation of physicians and other
healthcare professionals. In the United
States, the growth of the business is
prodded by the Federal Certification, a US
law which requires all medical records to
be computerized.
Understanding the Profession of Medical
Transcription

The US is outsourcing just 42% of its

medical transcription requirement abroad,
and about 6,700 hospitals have yet to
convert their medical records into
electronic format.
Understanding the Profession of Medical
Transcription

Within the US, there are an estimated

150,000 medical transcriptionists, which is
below the requirement of 230,000. The
number of US professionals are dropping
annually due to the rising cost of medical-
related education and an ageing
population.
Frequently Asked Questions
about Medical Transcription
What does a Medical Transcriptionist need
to know?

Medical language, anatomy and physiology,

disease processes, pharmacology, laboratory
medicine, and the internal organization of
medical reports.
Role of Medical Transcriptionists
Most physicians depend on the MTs to
discover dictation errors, and they
appreciate being alerted to possible
inconsistencies or errors.
Usual inconsistencies: he/she
substitution, age of patient, historical
years, right/left.
Role of Medical Transcriptionists

The patient’s mother died because of

prostate cancer.

He is allergic to Penicillin

The patient has a history of tonsillectomy in the

past.
What does quality Medical Transcription
require?
above-average knowledge of English punctuation and
grammar
excellent auditory skills, allowing the transcriptionist to
interpret sounds almost simultaneously with keyboarding
advanced proofreading and editing skills using word
processors, ensuring accuracy of transcribed material
versatility in use of transcription equipment and
computers, since transcriptionists may work in a variety
of settings
highly developed analytical skills, employing deductive
reasoning to convert sounds into meaningful form
Role of Medical Transcriptionists

The patient bares the pain.

The doctor illicited response from the patient.

 What about Certification?

The "Certified Medical Transcriptionist" (CMT)

Administered by the Medical Transcription
Certification Commission at AAMT.
The Medical Transcription Industry Association
of the Philippines (MTIAPI).
 Why haven't I heard about Medical
Transcription before?

It was not until 1999 that the US Department of

Labor assigned a separate job classification
(Standard Occupational Classification #31-9094)
so that statistics could be gathered on medical
transcriptionists. Before that, transcriptionists were
misclassified as typists, word processors, medical
secretaries, and dictating machine operators.
 Where are Medical Transcriptionists
employed?
Medical transcriptionists use their talents in a variety of
healthcare settings, including doctors' offices, public
and private hospitals, teaching hospitals, medical
transcription businesses, clinics, laboratories, radiology
and pathology departments, insurance companies,
medical libraries, government medical facilities,
rehabilitation centers, legal offices, research centers,
and associations representing the healthcare industry.
Is Medical Transcription a good home-
based business?
Ms. Abat noted that the sustainability of the business
relies mainly on manpower and a direct contact with
hospitals and clinics in the US.
She added that its a must for prospective investors to
understand the business by having the mindset of a
medical transcriptionist. "The business calls for serious
involvement. You just don’t need to put in the money.
Owners should know the business first."
 What makes Medical Transcription an
attractive career choice?
Medical transcription provides unlimited intellectual
challenge and the opportunity to make a unique
contribution to quality health care and service. Health
care is a rapidly growing industry, and the demand for
quality documentation is increasing. The profession
provides a high level of job security, and skilled medical
transcriptionists may receive a premium for their
services.
Because their services are in demand, transcriptionists are
often able to arrange convenient and flexible work
schedules. Medical transcription is a portable skill that
allows for professional and geographic mobility. Age
restrictions are seldom found, with great value being
placed on the experience and knowledge of the well-
seasoned transcriptionist.
 What are the characteristics of a Medical
Transcriptionist?

Medical transcription professionals are

word specialists
perfectionists
independent by nature
self-disciplined
computer literate
 Who were the first medical
transcriptionists?
Although no one really knows for sure, it
is quite possible that medical
transcription has it origins as far back as
ancient Egypt

Transcription as we know it began in the

1950s Machine Dictation
`Transcription continued its evolutionary
path in the 1970s with the appearance of
the word processor

 Cassette Tape
 Micro cassette Dictation Machine
Electronic word processors gave way to
personal computers with word-processing
software in the 1980s
The 1990s brought us digital dictation
In essence, a transcriptionist can live
anywhere, even in extremely remote
areas, and still work for a transcription
service or medical facility using digital
dictation technology.
Digital technology has turned medical
transcription into a global industry
Voice files are transferred to the foreign
location via telephone lines or the Internet.
As technology becomes more affordable,
more dictated material may be forwarded
to offshore locations for transcription.
 Part Two
Technologies used in
Medical Transcription
 Tools used in MT
Computers
Digital Dictation
Foot pedal
Earphones
 Softwares
Operating Systems (for File server and work
stations)
MSWord
Quick Look Reference
Stedman’s Medical Dictionary
Spellers
The Language of Medicine
Express Scribe
 Quick Look Drug Reference
Provides correct spelling of drugs (generic
or brand names)
Provides also the details of drugs
(i.e. use, chemical composition, dosage, etc.,)
Stedman’s Medical Dictionary
Provides wealth of words with definitions,
pronunciations, and etymology of main
entries.
Is essential for the accurate transcription
of dictated medical reports.
 Express Scribe Software
Express Scribe is a professional audio
player software designed to assist the
transcription of audio recordings. It is
installed on the typist's computer and
controlled using the keyboard (with 'hot'
keys) and/or foot pedal controls. This
computer transcriber application features
variable speed wave playback, foot pedal
operation, file management and more.
 PROFESSIONAL ISSUES
Transcription Techniques

The transcription process is to listen to a block of

dictation, stop, and then accurately transcribe what you
have heard. Think about what you are transcribing.
Concentration will avoid errors of wrong word and
inconsistencies in text. When in doubt about a word,
phonetically spell the word and either highlight or bold
the word to remind you to verify its meaning. The dictator
may repeat the words again, or you may get a clue from
the content of the report.
The final step in the transcription process is to proofread
the document, correct your errors, and print the final
document. Because medical transcriptionists are
compensated based on speed and accuracy, it may be
helpful to re-transcribe (not-retype) difficult reports to
strengthen your skills.
 PROFESSIONAL ISSUES
Transcription Techniques

Use of Reference Books

– Dictionaries.
– Glossaries.
– Word books/spellers.
– Textbooks.
 PROFESSIONAL ISSUES
Transcription Techniques

Word Research Techniques

1. Get a second opinion from another
transcriptionist.
2. Refer to the patient’s health record, if available.
3. Contact the dictating physician to ask what was
dictated.
4. Leave a blank in the report and attach a note for
the dictator (this is called flagging the report) so
that he or she may insert the correct word or
return it to the transcriptionist for insertion.
5. Ask the person in charge what action to take.
 PROFESSIONAL ISSUES
Transcription Techniques

Proofreading and Editing

 The process of proofreading involves multiple steps
that include reading, correcting, and revision a
document to produce a final copy. Each document
must be proofread word for word, figure for figure, and
thought for thought.

Medical dictation can be highly technical and complex

in nature, and the potential for transcribing errors is
high. Certain skills are essential to good proofreading
—spelling, knowledge of punctuation rules, and
knowledge of grammar.
 PROFESSIONAL ISSUES
Transcription Techniques

1. The second step in proofreading is looking for

punctuation and grammar errors. Use your
word processing software features to check
your grammar.
2. The third step is reading the document for
meaning. Does the sentence make sense
within the content of the report? You need to
learn the meaning of words, not just their
spellings. In addition, you should be familiar
with common English and medical sound-alike
words.
 Introduction to
Medical Transcription