Medical transcription is the act of converting voice-recorded reports into text. A medical transcriptionist listens to a recorded medical report. While listening, they type out the report. Medical transcription is also known as MT. The medical reports are dictated by physicians and other medical personnel. Initially, medical transcriptionists used manual typewriters, but over time, they gradually adopted more sophisticated technologies. First, they went to electric typewriters. Then to word processors and computers. The material which the recordings were stored on has changed over the years. Initially, plastic disks and magnetic belts were used. But in the 21st century, most if not all recordings are in a digital format. Medical reports in the past had very abbreviated notes that were added to the patient’s file for the primary physician to interpret. These handwritten notes were filed in the patient’s individual folder and then filed again in a filing cabinet or filing wall with all other patients’ folders that the physician held in his care. Medical records have changed a great deal in recent years. Many physicians have begun to keep electronic records. Storing patient’s files and records on computers backed up by powerful servers is allowing for faster retrieval and better patient care. Having a digital filing system allows physicians and medical personnel immediate remote access. Technology has gotten so advanced that MT services are able to work closely with programmers to stream in voice and data transfers through network tools. It is utterly amazing how fast technology has grown in the last 50 years. A person who performs medical transcription is called a medical transcriptionist, or an MT for short. A medical transcriptionist can also be called a medical language specialist or MLS. The equipment that a medical transcriptionist uses is called a medical transcriber.
