Medical professionals often have to use tape recorders to record various reports. For that information to make it into a patient's file, it must first be transcribed. A medical transcriptionist will use software and other tools to turn the audio recording into a readable report to which you can later refer. To help you understand this process, learn a few medical transcription software key terms.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Computer-Based Patient Record (CPR)

In the medical transcription software field, CPR stands for computer-based patient record. This is the full medical history of a patient that is stored in a computer database.

I recommend: The California Healthcare Foundation provides information on implementing computer-based patient records.

Worktype (WT)

The worktype, or WT, is the type of report being transcribed. Examples of worktypes include post-operative reports, physicals and health histories.

I recommend: Visit the glossary of medical transcription industry terms at MAG Mutual Healthcare Solutions to learn more about different worktype categories frequently used in transcription.

Spell check

Most medical transcription software has a specialized spell check program that applies to the various medical terms used in the field.

I recommend: At Sylvan Software, you can find out more about their version of medical transcription spell check software.

Speech recognition software

Speech recognition software interprets audio recordings and automatically creates text documents out of them. Medical transcriptionists often use speech recognition software.

I recommend: wiseGEEK provides articles that describe the pros and cons of speech recognition software.

Abbreviation expander

Abbreviation expander software is used to make the transcription of medical shorthand and abbreviations quicker and more accurate. The abbreviation expander will automatically expand shorthand or abbreviations into the proper long name.

I recommend: You can check out one of the many abbreviation expander software packages at FlashPeak.

Electronic signature

An electronic signature is a computer-based signature used by medical professionals to sign off on a transcription once it has been approved and deemed accurate.

I recommend: EScription provides more information about electronic signature software and how it relates to transcription.

Comparing medical transcription software options can be overwhelming, but if you narrow down your options by looking for software that handles the tasks with which you specifically need help, you'll save yourself a lot of time and effort. Make a list of these tasks then break your list down into software needs and wants.

Find medical transcription software to keep your office or clinic running smoothly, but consider buying only the software packages that meet your immediate needs if you can't afford the entire system. While buying a fully integrated software system is the ideal situation for any office, such full software packages aren't always affordable to the small medical clinic owner. Instead, you can find individual packages that will work for you until you can afford the larger packages. When securing medical transcription software for your office, you should:

1. Integrate your medical transcription software to keep all your tasks under one system.

2. Find smaller, task-specific software packages to keep your medical transcription office running smoothly until you can expand your system with additional software.

3. Provide staff and clients with easy-access records, schedules and more with web-based medical transcription software information.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Use medical transcription software that fits with an easy-to-use office software system

Use a comprehensive medical transcription software list to begin your search for an all-inclusive package that integrates with your current or future office software. Find medical software that includes transcription programs along with accounting, billing, scheduling and patient care.

I recommend: Choose CLIN1 Clinical Software Solutions software for a fully-integrated transcription system for your office. Choose Health Care Technologies for great, fast transcribing software that fits right in with the company’s entire line of other medical software.

Find stand-alone medical transcription software that fits your office budget

Look to a task-specific medical transcription software for transcription-only needs. If you've already got all the office software you need, find a basic transcription program that your employees can use without any extras.

I recommend: SpeedType Medical Transcription Software makes transcribing easy and transferring data from other Windows sources easy. Find the product that's right for you at Emmaus. With a complete line of transcribing software, the company has applications for the small or large facility.

Get software from a medical transcription software provider with web-based options

Utilize web-based software for the quickest and easiest way to stay informed for both clients and employees. Find software that gives your staff instant access to a web-based transcription system making records instantly available once transcribed.

I recommend: OmniMD has a medical transcription system that works with the mobile PDA to make access easy. Nuance Dragon Naturally Speaking Medical transcribing software allows for easy voice recognition so transcribing takes less time.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Find medical transcription software that comes with on-site support. Some software companies will even install their software and then train your employees in its use. Even if the software costs more, you end up saving time and money by not having to send your employees to training.