Transcription Musings - 8 - Be the Best You Can Be!
TRANSCRIPTION MUSINGS #8
Be The Best You Can Be! 03/10/03 I apologize for the delay in posting my promised column with general ideas for being the best MT possible. Spring semester has turned out to be a bigger task than anticipated, and having 5 ice storms in 2 months in North Carolina has made it difficult to stay on track. As you know, snow and ice are not the “norm” for North Carolinians, and I feel like I’ve “jump-started” my classes at least five times since January. My hopes are high that the momentum resulting from finally having an uninterrupted week will continue until May. To borrow a phrase from a good friend and MTSO, an MT must be a “student of the industry”. That sounds like a lofty goal, but how is it accomplished? As I ended the last column, I reminded you that this career is one where learning never stops. However, with each of us confronting tighter and tighter schedules, how can we realize that goal? Here are my Top Ten ideas. 1. Maintain the best references you can afford. The bare minimum for a beginning MT is a medical dictionary, a medical spellchecker, a current drug book, and a comprehensive word book. For an MT transcribing the Basic Four, a surgical equipment book is critical for accuracy in transcribing names of equipment and instruments. After an MT is earning money, additional needs are determined by the specialty transcribed. The top three publishers of MT word books are Lippincott, Williams, and Wilkins (www.stedmans.com), Health Professions Institute (www.hpisum.com), and W.B. Saunders (www.wbsaunders.com). Since the majority of my MT experience has been transcribing hospital Basic Four, I have found that even an annual drug book is not sufficient. I subscribe to MT Monthly, which includes a list of new drugs every month. I then use this information to update my annual drug reference at least monthly. (MT Monthly is also a wonderful resource for other industry news, and I highly recommend it). The web address is www.mtmonthly.com. The new trend is electronic references; however, I personally found them cumbersome to use and only invested in two. The Stedman’s medical dictionary and several word books are available on CD, and others have used them successfully. Try one and see for yourself. 2. Use the Internet wisely for an additional resource. I prefer www.google.com to search for new instruments, new drugs, and new therapies and find it helpful. 3. If you use MS Word for transcribing, become shortcut pro. Remember, if an MT is paid on productivity, using the mouse is an expensive convenience. I have found MTWerks extremely most helpful in proficient use of MS Word and have now memorized many shortcuts that increase productivity. Check out this resource at www.MTWerks.com. 4. Purchase and use a text expander. Hopefully, because you’re in this website, you’ve already done that. Use Instant Text to the max—build phrases and entire “normal” reports; and if appropriate, use the log/invoice features of the Pro V Version to save you time. Let IT do the work for you. 5. If you spend time looking up physician names and/or addresses, invest in a subscription to The Little Blue Book for your geographic area (www.thelittlebluebook.com). These books are a valuable resource and are updated annually. 6. Keep a notebook of difficult terms and/or difficult reports. A useful tool, which can be downloaded from the Internet, is the ‘Lil Red Notebook, found at www.horusdevelopment.com. 7. If you struggle with arm or hand pain, consider investing in a keyboard designed especially for MTs. Several years ago, I wisely invested in an Avant Stellar keyboard from Creative Vision Technologies (www.cvtinc.com) and have never regretted the purchase. 8. Be organized! Since most MTs have a personality that thrives on detail, this idea is probably a “given”; however, I’ve seen a few whose organization skills were lacking. Plan the layout of your desk, reference materials, and monitor to eliminate unnecessary stretching and straining. 9. Be good to yourself. Take frequent breaks away from the computer and from transcribing. Focus on frequent movements of the head and neck to eliminate cervical strain. Buy the best chair you can afford. 10. Never stop readin |