Photo Credit: Paul Lowry
The medical transcriptionist needs to know proper grammar usage, punctuation, capitalization, abbreviations, numbers, numerals, and correct spelling for medical terms and their plurals.
A professional transcriptionist will be knowledgeable about medical phrases, diagnostic medical tests and procedures, (including laboratory tests and x-rays).
A medical transcriptionist will know correct formatting and transcription styles. Each medical facility or doctor's office may have a certain format they use in their practice.
Proper Chart Formatting: Big Four Reports
History and Physical Examination
Consultations
Operative Reports
Discharge Summary
Chart Notes
Proofreading
It is also important for the MT to be knowledgable about the different body systems, such as the following:
Nervous System
Cardiovascular System
Respiratory System
Musculoskeletal System
Integumentary System
Endocrine System
Urinary System
Reproductive System
Digestive System
A medical transcriptionist will usually know anatomy, physiology, terminology, medical diseases and pharmacology for the following medical specialties:
Cardiology
Dermatology
Endocrinology
Gastroenterology
Neurology
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Ophthalmology
Orthopedics
Otorhinolaryngology
Pulmonary/Respiratory Medicine
Psychiatric, Mental Status Exam, DSM-IV
Urology
Proper Chart Formatting: Big Four Reports
History and Physical Examination
Consultations
Operative Reports
Discharge Summary
Chart Notes
Proofreading
It is also important for the MT to be knowledgable about the different body systems, such as the following:
Nervous System
Cardiovascular System
Respiratory System
Musculoskeletal System
Integumentary System
Endocrine System
Urinary System
Reproductive System
Digestive System
A medical transcriptionist will usually know anatomy, physiology, terminology, medical diseases and pharmacology for the following medical specialties:
Cardiology
Dermatology
Endocrinology
Gastroenterology
Neurology
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Ophthalmology
Orthopedics
Otorhinolaryngology
Pulmonary/Respiratory Medicine
Psychiatric, Mental Status Exam, DSM-IV
Urology
Medical Reference Books
A variety of medical reference books help the medical transcriptionist during the proofreading and editing process. Knowledge of how to properly use medical reference books is important for the medical transcriptionist to produce an accurate medical document with correct terminology.
Below is a current list of books that I have at home for use as my professional medical references. The books I list are just some examples.
Avila-Weil, Donna, and Mary Glaccum. The Independent Medical Transcriptionist. Windsor, CA: Rayve Productions, 2002.
Brooks, Myrna LaFleur. Exploring Medical Language: A Student-Directed Approach. St Louis: Elsevier Mosby, 2005.
Campbell, Linda C., Diane S. Heath, and Sally C. Pitman. Medical Transcription: Fundamentals and Practice. Upper Saddle River, N.J.: Prentice Hall Health, 2000.
Campbell, Linda, Diane S. Heath, and Sally C. Pitman. The Medical Transcription Workbook. Modesto, Calif.: Health Professions Institute, 1999.
Chabner, Davi-Ellen. Medical Terminology: a Short Course. St. Louis, Mo.: Elsevier Saunders, 2005.
Dirckx, John H. H & P: A Nonphysician's Guide to the Medical History and Physical Examination. Modesto, Calif.: Health Professions Institute, 2001.
Dirckx, John H. Stedman's Concise Medical Dictionary for the Health Professions: Illustrated. Baltimore, MD: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2001.
Gylys, Barbara A., and Regina M. Masters. Medical Terminology Simplified: a Programmed Learning Approach by Body Systems. Philadelphia: F.A. Davis, 1998.
Lance, Leonard L., Charles F. Lacy, Morton P. Goldman, and Lora L. Armstrong. Quick Look Drug Book: 2003. Hudson, Ohio: Lexi-Comp,, 2003.
Rice, Jane. Medical Terminology with Human Anatomy. Upper Saddle River, N.J.: Pearson/Prentice Hall, 2005.
Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Stedman's OB-GYN & Genetics Words. Baltimore, MD.: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2001.
Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Stedman's Radiology Words Includes Nuclear Medicine & Other Imaging. Baltimore, MD: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2004.
Venes, Donald, and Clayton L. Thomas. Taber's Cyclopedic Medical Dictionary. Philadelphia: F.A. Davis, 2001.
Wolpert, Beverly J., and Thomas Lathrop Stedman. Stedman's Endocrinology Words. Baltimore, MD: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2001.
