How to Internationally Outsource Medical Transcriptions

Like many other business processes, there is a growing trend among medical professionals to outsource the transcription of their medical records. Many individuals have found their need for speedy and accurate transcriptions met by outsourcing companies which are internationally based. The American Association for Medical Transcriptions reports that the current estimate of those who use international transcription is around 10 percent of all medical professionals. However, for this kind of partnership to be successful, you must carefully choose a medical transcription outsourcing partner.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Computer networking capabilities
• Audio files

Outsource Medical Transcriptions Internationally

1. Look at the skill sets offered by your potential medical transcriptions outsourcing partner. Their staff should be well-versed in medical terminology, as well as anatomy and physiology. The company should have its own internal guidelines regarding grammar and punctuation to meet your high standards. Ideally, their staff should be familiar with the physician's reference materials which you use everyday.

2. Confirm that your future outsourcing partner maintains the same level of patient confidentiality as is required in the United States. The integrity of your medical transcriptions should be retained throughout the entire process, even when you outsource it internationally.

3. Ask about accuracy assurance measures put in place by the medical transcriptions company. Your partnership with them should be based on providing accurate data recovery from your audio files as well as secure storage to prevent misuse of patient's medical records.

4. Ask for references from other physicians who have utilized the company's transcriptions service. It is essential that you research any potential international outsourcing company's track history to confirm that they have not engaged in any kind of unscrupulous activity such as ransoming patients' medical information for more pay.

5. Review any potential contracts with internationally based medical transcriptions outsourcing companies before you agree to pay for their services. You should ask that they disclose any kind of subcontracting they engage in so that you may be made more aware of who is handling your patients' records.

6. Work with a medical transcriptions service that will accommodate your most commonly used method of recording, whether it be digital files, computer-based dictation or phone dictation. Depending on the service, you may find that additional services such as toll-free telephone dictation are offered at an additional cost.

Tips & Warnings

• Look for a medical transcription company that meets the requirements of the American Association of Medical Transcription. Even though the internationally based company you may choose may not be a member, they should be compliant with the training requirements and skill sets required by this industry standard.

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