Over the last century, the way healthcare professionals work has changed massively. One way healthcare has changed, and a way that is definitely for the better is through medical transcription. Healthcare records have traditionally been kept in filing cabinets as paper. In recent years, and with the use of medical transcription software, doctors have been able to store medical records digitally and cut down the amount of time they spend writing, saving, and storing information. Digital medical records can be accessed from anywhere at any time by medical professionals who might need them, rather than having to phone up a hospital and have them dig through their filing cabinets.
This article will expand upon what we have already spoken about and answer our titular question: what is medical dictation software, and how is it used? We hope that you will feel comfortable knowing what medical dictation software is, how it is used, and how it works by the end of this page. We also hope that you will understand why medical dictation software is superior to the more antiquated methods of storing patient data.
There are many risks associated with saving patient information in paper form or in filing cabinets. If a fire were to break out, medical records would be [and have been] lost forever. It is vital that we, in our digital age, preserve and protect the healthcare records of patients. With medical dictation software, we can. Here is what medical dictation software is and how it is used.
What is Medical Dictation Software
Medical dictations, or transcriptions, are a huge part of the healthcare industry that is fundamental to how patient records are composed. Doctors do not have enough time in the day to write out a patient’s history by hand, and instead, with dictation software and equipment, they are able to do it and reduce the amount of time that they speed working on each medical record. In the past, doctors’ would speak into a recording device, record the dictation [patients record, or the meeting with the patient and its outcome], and this would be forwarded onto an independent medical transcriber [‘MT’].
This, however, cost a lot of money and a lot of time. So, to reduce the workforce required and save money, ingenious tech companies have developed medical dictation software that transcribes for you, rather than you having to do so. At first, this software was fraught with errors, and doctors with different dialects would struggle to have their transcripts accurately transcribed. Still, now, through repeated development and concerted efforts to improve the software, according to the tech developers from dragon medical one Canada, this software can understand any voice, dialect, or pitch and accurately transcribe what is being said. With this software, doctors no longer need independent MTs, and rather, can use medical dictation software alone.
As doctors call them, these medical transcripts, or reports, are then saved as a document and stored in the patient’s file. These files are usually kept on Cloud servers, which allow doctors to access them from anywhere in the world, therefore improving the medical process and ensuring patients can have their medical records accessed from anywhere in the world or shared internationally. Every individual dictation or transcription is merged, which builds up a medical report for the individual patient over time. This report will stay with them for life.
The Benefits of Medical Dictation Software
There are many benefits associated with medical dictation software, and we will now hope to tell you a few of them:
Accuracy
Medical transcription software is far more accurate than having an independent MT transcribe for you. This is because the software puts the information straight into the computer, word for word. A medical transcriber may make changes to make sentences more fluid or may misunderstand or mishear parts of the sentence. While they are generally told not to do this, some do. The accuracy offered by medical dictation software is far superior to that of physical medical transcribers, which is why we would definitely recommend the use of this software over a physical MT.
Reliability
Transcription services mean your notes are input the way the doctor wants them to remotely. This ensures your medical notes are always saved and stored correctly and that they are correct. A slight error in a physical MTs transcription can mean that your entire medical record is flawed – this, of course, is not something you should want, nor anyone would want. Medical transcription software is far more accurate than having an independent MT transcribe for you. This is because the software puts the information straight into the computer, word for word. For optimal efficiency, the best tablet for healthcare providers ensures seamless access to this software, allowing for quick and precise data entry on the go.
Future Reference
Because of how reliable medical dictation software is, it ensures that in the future, should any doctors need to view your medical record, that they can guarantee it is exactly how it is meant to be. Doctors all unanimously agree that medical dictation software ensures records are kept perfectly intact and remain true to form over many years. Medical dictation software makes it possible for a doctor to sit and look back at a record from over, let’s say, ten years ago, and still know it is one hundred percent reliable and without any flaw or defect.
Malpractice or Misdiagnosis Protection
This software also protects patients against malpractice or misdiagnosis. If a doctor has misdiagnosed a patient or has prescribed incorrect medication, or any part of their job has been performed negligently, medical dictation software will pick it up. This means that if a doctor argues they were not wrong, the medical dictation software will prove that they were [if they really were]. Malpractice is a big problem and something to watch out for – only by taking accurate and truthful reports can we ensure doctors who are guilty of malpractice can be punished and ensure patients receive justice.
With this page, we hope you now understand a little more about medical dictation software and now understand a few of the benefits. Medical dictation software is being used all around the world by healthcare professionals. It is of great service and should be supported by all of us.
