What do you think medical records documentation will look like in five years?

George

I'd advise them to fold 'em on the MT part, at least. Most office positions require anatomy and terminology training. I used to teach a terminology class for medical office administrators.

A good office manager is worth their weight in gold. Around here, they can get $60,000/year for a smaller (3-5 physician practice) office and in the six figures for larger practices.

[ 01-30-2003: Message edited by: Julie W8 ]

That's interesting because I just had a conversation with one of our hospital accounts and the MR director related to me that they are encountering a problem with illegible records (1), and that (2) many of the clinic dictators are requesting use of the dial-in system to dictate. Now, I was encouraged by this.

I personally discourage any account that we solicit who are currently hand-writing notes to cease this practice immediately. Admittedly, I am vague but ominous as to why.

However, on point, I would discourage persons who are considering entering our field as I feel there are simply too many new "MTs" being cranked out and we are overwhelmed by the sheer numbers of them. There has really never been enough work to go around historically, even for experienced MTs! DUH!

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doctors going back to handwritten records to save money

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Going back? Come to Long Island, Julie. 20 years in this business and I've yet to come across ONE doctor or group that actually has transcribed medical records. I'm sure they're out there - I've just not come across any in all these years.

I also have some MT friends who've lost some major business to check-off forms -- all to save money.

[ 01-30-2003: Message edited by: Julie W8 ]

On the one hand, VR and template-type charts are already making huge inroads into the private physician practices, and I believe this will become even more widespread. The problem with handwritten notes is legibility and the insurance industry's policy of, "If we can't read it, it didn't happen."

On the other side, you've got acute care. With the expanding use of foreign physicians, the enormous cost of general transcription VR software/hardware, and the fact that VR is just not quite "there" yet for 100+ physicians of many specialties, I believe that there is, and will remain, a demand for experienced MTs -- even if they are "only" editing after a "front-end" VR software.

I would say that unless a new MT can obtain hospital experience (preferably inhouse), they're going to be left on the bottom of pile, and I would not recommend this career, especially for those who want to work at home for a little extra money.

Nae

As long as a "typist" doesn't expect to earn a reasonable wage, then they can always find some physician to hire them.

I guess having "round heels" comes in many forms.

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would say that unless a new MT can obtain hospital experience (preferably inhouse),

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That was actually the point of my thread, Gaile. The targets of many of the larger and overseas MTSO's is these organizations, persuading them to outsource their transcription. The result is that one of the major training grounds for new MT's is being lost.

In the short term, it's great business. In the not-so-much-longer term, it means that the opportunities for new people aren't there, and the supply of trained personnel is going to dry up. Which is going to impact them when they try to hire MT's, editors, or QA people - there aren't going to be any.

I have taught Medical Transcription 1 and 2 at a local community college for the last year and a half. Out of these three semesters of students, I know of one who is working as a transcriptionist today. Also, every single one of them want to get into transcription so they can work at home. I let them know the reality of this situation upfront so none of them are shocked when they can't find a job at home (or even find a job period).

I can't see voice recognition taking over any time soon but I do find that there are too many new MT's and not enough seasoned MT's to go around. It is hard to get your foot in the door because it takes so long to be trained properly. Most companies/hospitals don't have the time or the manpower to train. This puts me in an odd situation with being a teacher. I love teaching but I also know that most of the students will not find jobs.

For those who love MT and only want to transcribe, get excellent with miserable dictators, and learn all the different ways to receive work, i.e. call-in telestaffing, wav, MP3, downloading from ASPs, etc. and KNOW your PC.

In the future, I do not believe mentoring will be found free of charge; students or new MTs may have to have several employers because it will be too expensive for just one employer to continue the training schools just do not have time for.

Diane, you have 2 years' notice. If transcription is your consuming love and your best skill, begin looking for another employer or get your own clients. If you want to remain with your current employer, become an "expert" as I mentioned above, and charge accordingly once the need for training begins.

If anyone is sick of MT or needs hand holding at their current job, it is time to get out now, assess strengths and weaknesses and plan for another career.
Carole/gmts