subject: Online Medical Transcription [print this page] Medical Transcription is exploding in demandMedical Transcription is exploding in demand. It is an industry that will continue growing through 2010. It is a prestigious industry that requires careful training and that is required among medical practices, such as hospitals, clinics, independent doctors, etc.
According the U.S. Department of Labor, "Employment of medical transcriptionists is projected to grow faster than the average for all occupations through 2010. Demand for medical transcription services will be spurred by a growing and aging population."
Medical Transcription is one of the few jobs that people can perform from home. This is one of the best qualities that this career has to offer potential medical transcriptionists. However, that same demand rate has driven companies to capitalize on the profession. As a result, transcription training has become over-priced and also created sub-standard quality courses.
Generally, medical transcriptionists listen to dictated recordings, or read handwritten notes, made by healthcare professionals, doctors, or physicians and transcribe them into electronic documents that can be attached to a patients medical record. The documents can range from operating room notes, autopsy reports, histories and physical examinations, progress reports, clinic notes, referral letters, radiology reports, pathology reports, and discharge summaries.
It is imperative that future medical transcriptionists train properly and comprehend all the current medical terminology and jargon. This will allow them to accurately transcribe the content of any medical document or audio file.
A medical transcriptionist should be a medical language specialist. Their profession requires them to be aware of the standards and requirements that apply to any particular patients health record.
In short, medical transcription is a specialized trade that requires a lot of effort from potential transcribers. It is essentially a life-long investment that requires transcribers to continually study reference materials, technology, and medical terminology.