The History of Medical Transcription
Medical transcription is a paramedical job and is also referred to as MT. The job requires conversion of voice-recorded medical reports issued by physicians and other health care providers into a text format. These medical reports and prescriptions are dictated by the physicians and then handed over to the transcribers for transcription. In other words, medical transcription is a computerized documentation of the medical reports of patients.
Other People Are Reading
-
Origins of Medical Transcription
-
The era of medical transcription began in 1960 when it was used as a method to help in the manufacturing process. It was then termed MRP, or medical resource planning. This procedure was further improvised upon in 1975 and came to be known as MRP 2, but it was still in the budding stage and far from what it is today. Initially, transcription consisted of abbreviated handwritten documents that were later kept in separate files pertaining to different patients. These files were kept in filing cabinets and usually had duplicate carbon copies also. They were retrieved as needed and when required by the patients.
Typewriters in Medical Transcription
-
After 1975, medical reports were transcribed with the help of manual typewriters which gave them a more professional approach. The manual typewriters were again upgraded to electronic typewriters, making the documentation of reports quicker and more systematic. This was the scenario of medical transcription till 1990. Until this time, medical records were made and maintained in conservative style and were not able to take the full advantage of the potential of medical transcription.
-
Continuous Speech Recognition Programs
-
The field of medical transcription experienced a revolutionary change from the year 1990 and now has become one of the most blooming paramedical industries. This change became possible by making this stream thoroughly professional by incorporating the use of computers in a big way. The desktop documentation took over the filing cabinets and the medical records were processed, maintained, and archived digitally. Continuous speech recognition programs (CSR) are also being used along with the medical transcriptionists to handle large projects. They are assisted by a team of qualified editors and proofreaders.
Role of Medical Transcription
-
Medical transcription has enabled the doctors and physicians to get their medical records documented professionally without putting any effort. The physicians and the health-care providers are just required to give a voice file containing the medical report to the medical transcriptionists to get a fully documented report in specified time. These reports can be accessed by the physician from anywhere and at anytime. The new-age MTs are now making use of personal computers and laptops to transcribe reports with the help of various programs and information systems. The Internet has provided them with the required working platform with the help of which they can easily access the electronic references and also have uninterrupted data transfers.
Considerations
-
Medical transcription has come a long way since it was started, owing to its close association with computer and Internet technology. It has become one of the most promising and sophisticated professional services, and its benefits are being globally realized and recognized.
-
