Sometimes just getting up from your desk, going to get a drink of water, moving your limbs about, then coming back and listening again may solve the problem. This takes patience and persistent, but you can do it!

Hum... the instant UBB Quote code doesn't seem to be working??

Anyway...I assure you, heddy, it's not just you. As Gisele points out, sometimes even the most experienced MT can get stuck on a word, phrase, etc. She gave some good suggestions for handling this. Sometimes, I will take the headset off and listen on the speaker to help me catch something I'm not "hearing" right away.

The advice you received about "training your ear" is also correct. Eventually, it'll all come together. Patience and persistence will pay off.

This is where anatomy also comes in to play. Knowing the context of what you are transcribing will, no doubt, help you decipher difficult terms at times.

When you come across different or new terms, medications, etc. Write them down in your books.

Gisele mentions that a dictator may mention a term that you can't get in the beginning of a report, but is clear as a bell later on in the dictation. This has happened to me occasionally.

Patience and persistence will pay off in the long run. The fact that you're hanging in there and not just deciding this isn't for you sounds as if you are in it for the long haul! It will get better over time. You'll see.

Hang in there. The more practice you do, the easier it will come.

[ 04-10-2003: Message edited by: Nancy103 ]

I hope that helps some

[ 04-10-2003: Message edited by: CorgiFan2 ]

There is a medical phrase book that former students I have talked to have found very helpful, but I do not know the name.

It may also be helpful to list phrases of "what could be". That way if you hear only one syllable of a word, it can help "educate" your ear of what to be listening for. Example: If you are in the neck and only hear "pathy". Possible phrases might be:
no lymphadenopathy
cervical lymphadenopathy
cervical adenopathy
palpable lymphadenopathy

I have been transcribing for over 30 years, and there is something --- after the learning curve---that wins over frustration, and that is confidence. And confidence remains in place even when leaving blanks, as some blanks are deserved, and is the safest for the patient.

As you are in the middle of the learning curve, leave blanks, do not guess. When you receive feedback, set aside time to relisten, as that is the only way to truly learn.

I hope this is helpful Carole/gmts

I'm working on the advanced SUM tapes right now, talk about slow going! Listen rewind, listen rewind, listen rewind, well you get the picture.

After I've had enough. I print out my report, mark all my missed words, and then listen and read along with the key until I can actually hear the words the good Doc has just slaughtered. Then I delete all my hard work, put the key away, and do it again until I get it right. It can bring tears to your eyes that's for sure.

I did purchase The Medical Phrase Index, which has helped tremendously. I think that may be the book Carole mentioned.

Just know you are not alone in your struggles

Pamela

quote:

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there is something --- after the learning curve---that wins over frustration, and that is confidence. And confidence remains in place even when leaving blanks

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What an eloquent way to describe the process. As we've seen, Carole knows what she's talking about. I've only been an MT for a little over a year, but that's exactly how it works. Eventually you stop bursting into tears when you see a particular dictator's name pop up on your screen, and you start to think, "Hey, okay, I can handle this one."

Confidence makes all the difference. You really can understand those horrible dictators, but it sure does take a lot of time and practice to REALIZE that you can understand them.

[ 04-11-2003: Message edited by: hedyhop ]

[ 04-11-2003: Message edited by: hedyhop ]