4 registered
(AnnR, mtforpt, 2 invisible)
and 7 anonymous users online.
|
|
|
#94078 - 03/25/08 07:19 PM
Correct form for years of history
|
KMcKenna
New Member
Registered: 03/23/08
Posts: 15
Loc: Michigan
|
If the doctor dictates "the patient has a twenty year history of hypertension" should twenty be spelled out or should it be typed "has a 20-year history"? I'm not done with school and this always throws me. This site has been so helpful.....
Thanks,
Kate
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#94080 - 03/25/08 07:40 PM
Re: Correct form for years of history
[Re: KMcKenna]
|
Endiqua
Member
Registered: 04/28/05
Posts: 3320
Loc: At the computer - where else?
|
Does your school provide you with any information or resources on this kind of thing? Like a style guide or anything similar? Do they have a forum, or even a way for you to even ask questions?
I'm not coming down on you or anything, but if you've paid for an education but are still having to come here for further information or explanation, that seems just plain wrong to me. This type of style issue should already have been covered, I would think, if you're close to graduation.
In any event, I would recommend purchasing the Book of Style, 2nd Edition, to at least give you some guidelines to work with after graduation. It covers all sorts of topics like capitalization, punctuation, and how to handle numerals in medical transcription reports. I agree that the book isn't perfect, but a lot of the national companies do use it for their guidelines and it at least gives you a reference to cite when someone says "Why do you do it that way?"
People here are really helpful - I've learned a lot here myself - and I'm sure not saying you're doing anything wrong by asking these questions, but you simply can't rely on an online forum to supplement your education or act as mentors during your career.
_________________________
"I recognize the tintinnabulation when it starts, but I haven't the least idea which particular bat-filled belfry it's coming from." Tonks
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#94129 - 03/26/08 10:44 AM
Correct form for years of history
[Re: Endiqua]
|
KMcKenna
New Member
Registered: 03/23/08
Posts: 15
Loc: Michigan
|
Thank you for your response. I certainly didn't intend to ask something in order to get help with homework. I have looked through my course book and couldn't come up with a proper definition for typing years of history in a report. You can bet I'll be on the phone today to my instructor to get a proper answer. As to the Book of Style, I was advised not to purchase one until I've completed my schooling but maybe I should go out and buy one to help me along.
Thanks again,
Kate
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#94142 - 03/26/08 12:21 PM
Re: Correct form for years of history
[Re: KMcKenna]
|
Endiqua
Member
Registered: 04/28/05
Posts: 3320
Loc: At the computer - where else?
|
I do think calling your instructor is really the best course of action, Kate. I'm really glad to hear you have a way to ask questions.
Again, I'm not accusing you of doing anything wrong or saying "We don't want to help with your homework," but (and I know I sound like a broken record) - you paid these people to teach you how to do MT, and they should be doing their job.
It's also entirely possible that you could get answers here that would conflict with your school's philosophy and cause you to get a lower grade on a test.
I'm a bit bemused by the instructions not to buy the BOS, actually. The Andrews School includes the Book of Style (and a lot of other GREAT references) with the tuition and students use them right from the get-go. That way, they're used to finding information in those references when they do get that first job. I think that's the only sensible way to go, personally. (Disclaimer: Not affiliated with Andrews, nor did I attend that school.  )
I should let you know that there is a 3rd edition in the works, though, so I can understand why you might want to wait a bit, but it surely couldn't hurt to look for a copy of the 2nd edition on eBay to see if you can find one fairly cheap.
_________________________
"I recognize the tintinnabulation when it starts, but I haven't the least idea which particular bat-filled belfry it's coming from." Tonks
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#94294 - 03/28/08 11:27 AM
Re: Correct form for years of history
[Re: Endiqua]
|
HoosierFemme
Member
Registered: 09/28/05
Posts: 1101
Loc: Parisian suburbs, France
|
Actually, the 3rd edition is done and is being shipped out now. I know cuz I ordered one for my mother and myself and was informed they are on their way. (Had to send it to her--to send it here, the shipping would have cost as much as the book itself!)
_________________________
The French motto is "Liberté, Egalité, and Get Out of My Way." English author Stephen Clarke
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#94298 - 03/28/08 12:04 PM
Re: Correct form for years of history
[Re: HoosierFemme]
|
gabbie
Junior Member
Registered: 06/30/06
Posts: 96
|
I was about to ask if anyone knew when it would be out. I thought rewriting would take longer than it did. I can't wait to get a copy - where did you order yours from? Thanks.
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#94302 - 03/28/08 12:50 PM
Re: Correct form for years of history
[Re: gabbie]
|
HoosierFemme
Member
Registered: 09/28/05
Posts: 1101
Loc: Parisian suburbs, France
|
You can go to the AHDI's Web site ahdionline.org. Under "Latest News" check out the 2nd article. There is a link to Online store. However, I am having a major brain fart. I guess I preordered mine, but for the life of me I can't remember how I was able to do so! Perhaps it was through M-TEC. Man, I'm too young to have a brain this old! 
_________________________
The French motto is "Liberté, Egalité, and Get Out of My Way." English author Stephen Clarke
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#94304 - 03/28/08 01:08 PM
Re: Correct form for years of history
[Re: HoosierFemme]
|
gabbie
Junior Member
Registered: 06/30/06
Posts: 96
|
$70 - good grief! I know I did not pay anywhere near that much for the 2nd ed.
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#94305 - 03/28/08 01:12 PM
Re: Correct form for years of history
[Re: gabbie]
|
14tonks
Member
Registered: 10/25/01
Posts: 5601
Loc: Only 3rd world country in US
|
$70 - good grief! I know I did not pay anywhere near that much for the 2nd ed.
I believe the original non-member price for the 2nd edition was $80.
Wait until they start hitting the sale rack at e-bay. 
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#94307 - 03/28/08 01:21 PM
Re: Correct form for years of history
[Re: 14tonks]
|
gabbie
Junior Member
Registered: 06/30/06
Posts: 96
|
I bought my 2nd ed. 2 or 3 yrs ago so it was by then cheaper. Another question - I came across a thread while googling it (to see if I could get it for less elsewhere) wherein a few transcriptionists (one a CMT) indicated it was not necessary to have as it is not that different from the 2nd ed. Have you or anyone else seen it, and do you agree or disagree? It was my understanding the flaws were to be corrected and it would have better formatting. If such is not the case, I will save my money until it does show up on ebay.
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#94311 - 03/28/08 02:18 PM
Re: Correct form for years of history
[Re: gabbie]
|
14tonks
Member
Registered: 10/25/01
Posts: 5601
Loc: Only 3rd world country in US
|
I was not at all impressed with the sample they posted. Given the steep price and the fact it does not have a CD digital version this time, I don't see any reason to get it myself. If you work for a national that insists you follow it exactly, then maybe you need to buy it. Personally, I'm going to see how the open source style guide at mtreference.com shapes up.
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#94396 - 03/30/08 01:59 PM
Correct form for years of history
[Re: Endiqua]
|
KMcKenna
New Member
Registered: 03/23/08
Posts: 15
Loc: Michigan
|
Thank you so much for your input. I'm taking my course through At-Home Professions and they don't provide the BOS until your tuition is paid in full. I'll get on e-Bay and see if I can find the 2nd edition at a fair price. I really would like to have it for reference.
Another question I have is have you heard of doctor's offices switching over to electronic records thus eliminating the need for MTs? I work full-time as a bank teller and one of my customers told me the other day that she had been informed by two of her clients that she would no longer be needed because they were switching over to electronic records. Of course I'm concerned because I'm spending a good deal of money to become an MT and don't want to have my hopes dashed as to being able to get work.
Thanks again and have a great day!
Kate
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#94400 - 03/30/08 03:35 PM
Re: Correct form for years of history
[Re: KMcKenna]
|
Endiqua
Member
Registered: 04/28/05
Posts: 3320
Loc: At the computer - where else?
|
I recommend searching on this website for keywords like EMR or electronic record because this question comes up very frequently.
Short answer - yes, it does happen occasionally that offices eliminate MTs altogether. Yes, EMRs and speech recognition are huge factors in the future of the industry.
_________________________
"I recognize the tintinnabulation when it starts, but I haven't the least idea which particular bat-filled belfry it's coming from." Tonks
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#94428 - 03/31/08 06:17 PM
Re: Correct form for years of history
[Re: Endiqua]
|
RaeMorrill
Member
Registered: 07/26/06
Posts: 672
Loc: Maine
|
I'm still scratching my head over being told not to get BOS until done school or until tuition is paid in full. How and what are they using to reinforce the use of correct style then?
I am also looking forward to see how the open source style guide does as it progresses. Great idea.
_________________________
Rae Morrill in Maine
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#94433 - 03/31/08 08:37 PM
Re: Correct form for years of history
[Re: RaeMorrill]
|
Endiqua
Member
Registered: 04/28/05
Posts: 3320
Loc: At the computer - where else?
|
I'm still scratching my head over being told not to get BOS until done school or until tuition is paid in full. How and what are they using to reinforce the use of correct style then?
Clearly, they aren't teaching style. Kate's close to graduation and look at the questions she's asking. (Not YOUR fault, Kate.) They're throwing the students off the diving board into the deep end and expecting them to dog-paddle their way through the BOS (or whatever the client uses) at their first job.
And people wonder why so many of us recommend only Andrews or M-TEC for their education, or why they can't just "work a little harder" to make up for the gaps....
_________________________
"I recognize the tintinnabulation when it starts, but I haven't the least idea which particular bat-filled belfry it's coming from." Tonks
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#94450 - 04/01/08 08:57 AM
Re: Correct form for years of history
[Re: Endiqua]
|
Piglet
Member
Registered: 01/22/08
Posts: 259
Loc: Cromwell, CT
|
Not for nothing but I trained with At Home over 15 years ago and the education suited me just fine. Given that style issues are really account driven with the BOS as simply industry standards or guidelines that can get blown out of the water if the client wants something different, I don't see it as a fault that style is not emphasized.
Furthermore, even though EMR and speech are coming to the forefront, I do not see a shortage of MT jobs anytime soon. If you are just starting out, you will do just fine. Just keep in mind though that the first year is rough and you won't make squat for money, but it does all fall into place. You just have to be patient.
_________________________
G. Klein, RMT
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
#94758 - 04/05/08 07:56 PM
Re: Correct form for years of history
[Re: HoosierFemme]
|
emslavey
Member
Registered: 10/08/04
Posts: 566
Loc: New Castle, Indiana
|
Received my copy of the 3rd Edition last week. The cover looks pretty classy. I haven't had a good chance to delve into the interior yet, though. There were some changes in the front of the book that I found interesting - changes from the last edition, that is.
Ellen S.
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
Moderator: ebadrake
|
