1. The doctor's method of dictation and brand/type of digital recorder.
2. Encryption technology.
3. Delivery to the MT.
4. Transcription and dictation playback once the MT gets the audio.
5. A way for the doctor to retrieve and print his report.
6. Online storage/search of both the dictated voice file and the finished transcription. (I mentioned this last one because some people might want to keep documents and audio files online for a little while so their doctors, not to mention other doctors in the practice, can refer to them later if necessary.)

#1 Capturing dictation: There are the various handhelds from Olympus (DS-150, 2000, and 3000), the Uher DH-10, and the ability for the doctor to dictate directly to his PC.

#2 Encryption. This is necessary! If you don't do this third parties will be able to read the patient reports and listen to the dictated audio. PGP is very good and free.

#3 Delivery of audio files, can be solved with encryption and e-mail, if the files are small enough, or with encryption and FTP if they are larger. FTP software: Send-It, WS-FTP, CuteFTP, BulletProof FTP.

#4 Playback and transcription of audio. There is the ByteScribe player, the GearPlayer, Start-Stop, PlayAll Xtra, and DSS Player Pro. There must be others out there but I can't think of any more off the top of my head.

#5 Retrieval by the doctor, can be accomplished the same way that delivery to the MT is done. You can encrypt and e-mail the files or encrypt and FTP them.

#6 Online storage. FTP will work. So will something like HyperSend.

ADDITIONAL NOTES:
* An ASP (Application Service Provider) will take care of these various pieces for you and add some features as well as streamlining, but at an additional charge.

* Most people get some amount of FTP/web space when they open an account with an Internet Service Provider like Earthlink or AOL. If you have a fast connection to the Internet and a static IP address, there is free software you can get that will turn certain directories on your computer into an FTP server. Search for WarFTP.

* Don't leave out the encryption piece!!

Okay, I'm done and out of ideas. Please everyone add your suggestions and any additional info.

Mike DeTuri

First of all, I've had close to three years' medical transcription experience, but it's been many years ago.

Someone locally is ready to take me on (give me a chance), but I'm totally in the dark about what I should invest my meager monies in.

My boss gave me the name of a person in town who sells the type of transcription machine her company uses (a 'c-phone'). This sells new for $580. But I see on e-bay, they have a current bid of $225 for what I believe is the same thing.

I asked the boss about the 'WAV pedal' and she said at this point they don't use direct from the computer transcription (only by phone line) because of security reasons.

I feel so stupid. I'm pretty familiar with my computer by now, and, as I said, I'm knowledgeable about med terminology, but it's all this high-tech machinery that has me lost.

Can you help me at all from the rough info I've given you?

Thanks so much!!

Thank you for posting that information. I am just starting to research this myself and am thinking of going with Martel Electronics and their ME95 package. They are at www.martelelectronics.com. For now, I will be transcribing for an old boss (vocational rehabilitation firm) who is in CA and I am in MT. I am currently enrolled in the Review of Systems program. My concern is that I would buy this system now and not be able to use it later in the work force for medical transcription. I spoke to an employee at Martel who thought I could no problems. But, nothing was mentioned of encryption! What do you think about the ME95? Also, what type of software programs are available to go with this, i.e. line counting/invoicing etc.? Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thank you