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Serving Over 20,000 US Medical Transcriptionists

Brain surgeons and the U.S. President take vacations; so can you. The world won't stop if you do!

Posted By: Amanda on 2005-07-18
In Reply to: Dealing with burnout - Lynn Jacoby

 


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Is Monday, Feb 12, President Day? Brain dead this morning. nm
x
I sometimes do that with one of my surgeons

She has a very monotone way of speaking and never pauses between sentences.  Rarely dictates a period or any other punctuation.  Most of the time I can figure out what she is saying, but she also has a sort of stream-of-conscious way of dictating that strings things all along together.  If I can't figure out clearly what it is that she's saying I leave it all as she dictates it.   Like you, haven't had any fall out from that tactic, either.


After hearing some surgeons
mangle their reports, I vow to never let hm near me with a sharp object in his hand.  And when they say "informed consent" I wonder who did the informing and whether the patient could understand it any better than I do.
most surgeons dictate very well sm
That is one of the best things about ops.  When I say "dictate well" I mean that they normally know exactly what they are going to say and use the same phrases over and over, which means a better line count for you.  Plus, you are much more likely to get normals doing ops than you are consults and H&Ps (especially in acute care).  Instead of doing one of these docs who repeat everything, or change everything, or a resident who is all over the report back and forth.  That is what slows you down.  I absolutely love op notes; they keep you up-to-date on equipment, etc., and the line count is great, but most of them get farmed out to Spheris (gee, I wonder why?)  However, if you never type OP notes, they can be difficult at first. 
Because surgeons tend to be
fast, succinct dictators. Because there are very few drugs to dictate, and the surgeon is familiar with all of them (as opposed to trying to dictate lists of meds as the patient wrote them in a history). Because surgeons tend to do the same sorts of procedures over and over, and the smart, efficient ones learn to dictate the same reports over and over so they won't leave anything out. That means an MT who gets him frequently can make normals to use over and over and save time. If an MT is fortunate and the software is very, very good, she can put jump codes in so she can jump from one particular spot to the next to fill in details that change. An example would be doing cataract surgery, where the main thing that changes is the IOL specific information. Because surgeons usually hate to dictate, so the reports are often as short and efficient as possible. Because it's not psych (or whatever the MT hates most, lol).
I type for three hand surgeons

I type for three hand surgeons and I have yet to see a WC claim go through without a big, big fight to pay for carpal tunnel surgery.  Yet if you use any pneumonic tools, or drive and clinch a steering wheel -- truck driver, they will pay.  But they seriously say that it is not the typing that causes it and will find some underlying cause to be the primary cause of it.  All three docs agree.   I got CT when I was working in the hospital answering phones a lot and clinching the phone and had the surgery -- 20 years ago.  Now with typing sometimes 10 hours a day, never have a problem but guess I am lucky.  Anyway you can try but it is a long, slow battle for you to climb and you will definitely need an attorney.  Watch out if you are more than 15 to 20% overweight also, they will blame it on that.


Patti


I do tapes too for 5 surgeons Mon-Thurs.

tapes I really do Monday thru Wednesday, Thursday my day off but if there are tapes here, I do them and pass on the day off.....


Yep, there will always be the smaller office or the MDs who like the personal touch of us doing personal deliveries, having just ONE MT do their work.....and these guys are all in their 30-40s.....they will not change because I have had them for YEARS..... and they are all within 8 miles of my home....I'm lucky


must do vacations!
Well, first of all you must have "Me" time. Give yourself a vacation at least once a year. I always take vacations and holidays off and only work minimal weekends!
Vacations
We usually take a big family vacation during Spring Break. We missed this year because my husband had open heart surgery, but in previous years we went to South Carolina, and Club Med in Florida a few times. I'm thankful that my job doesnt require me to work weekends and I get four weeks paid vacation.
vacations
We haven't taken a "real vacation" this year for some reason.  I think because my work has been so back logged, but I see the top now, so perhaps we will take a trip soon.  We have taken several 3-4 day weekends, and I'm usually bored with a place after 3-4 days anyway.  I'm in Texas so I want to go somewhere cool! 
IC vacations
I do fill-in work for a friend of mine when she goes on vacation and the clinic doesn't seem to mind. She just got their permission to have me stand in for her. It seems to work. As an IC, I also take my laptop and work on vacation. I wonder what it'd feel like to actually take a vacation and not work on it LOL
Mass affect on brain or mass effect on brain?
dd
What car does this Dr drive, vacations does he
x
I have never had a hernia repair either, but I have done transcription for general surgeons for 14 y
They usually tell people to plan on 4-6 weeks depending on the lifting requirements of their job. Have you asked your surgeon yet? They should be able to give you a good estimate.
On their vacations and jets and yachts, etc.
nm
Question for everyone. Do you take annual vacations. If so, where? We take 3 or 4. nm
nm
IC 12 years, took 2 vacations in that time

It is very_difficult to get time off for vacation when you work for yourself and cut out middle people......I do exactly that and I haven't had a vacation since 2005 and before that during 9/11/01.  The offices may understand and allow you 2 weeks but then you have to play *catch-up* when you return, trying to bring them all current.


It's a trade-off for sure, unless you have friends that can cover your vacation time and who you trust with the work. 


 


Makes sense, I understand that surgeons will dictate the same report over and over, but....
none of my surgeons do them the same way each time. I have let's say an appendectomy from Dr. Smith, I pull up the appy report that I have saved from him....he will change all the words like and, the, or change the subject and verb, and it seems I change most of it anyway. I have tried to enjoy them, but you are right, hardly any drugs, I will keep that in mind. BTW, I love lengthy, detailed psych reports, they are my fave! Thanks for you reply!
ANNUAL vacations?? lol I haven't had a vacation
nm
Any ideas for family vacations near WV or surrounding states? sm
We are in such NEED of a relaxing fun vacation.  We are from WV.  We love the beach also.  My husband and I have a 3-1/2-year-old son and are thinking about taking a vacation early June or mid-June.  Does anyone have any ideas of a nice relaxing place that would be good for us and our son?  Any websites or details would be GREATLY appreciated.  We have been struggling for about 6 months now due to health issues and finances.  We really are hoping to get our finances in order by then so we can enjoy our family.  Stress has been about to kill us.  Hope you are all doing well and I truly appreciate your suggestions! 
French, especially the surgeons. Easiest: Middle Eastern, Korean, Chinese, Indian. nm
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What service pays sick time, not working, vacations, etc.?
Where? I have never gotten paid for any of these, especially sudden illnesses, or I would be rich!
Glad you enjoyed it! Yes, NC beaches and even mountains make great vacations.
and then everybody goes home to work in Charlotte or Raleigh. This beach I went to is only a 2-hour drive from Raleigh.
President's Day

hopefully our next president will see this
/
Who was the US president when U first became an MT?
President Clinton for me.
? US PRESIDENT
Gerald Ford
US president
That would have been Daddy Bush.
president
Carter - 1979 - American
stop and full stop
that reminds me of a doctor who had his own very unique word for period...he called it a "perikat".  All through the report...Perikat... perikat.... LOL
Someone should have told our President that...nm
nm
Well, I'm glad YOU are not the president...
The same people who wanted to tar and feather GWB for not piecing together some snippits of information before 9/11 and tried to say that he should have seen it coming are the same people who criticize him for stepping into Iraq to remove a dictator who even Bill Clinton said needed to be removed.  If you think terrorists weren't conducting business in Iraq?  You are naive.  If another attack were traced back to weapons or nukes passed off in Iraq, you would be blaming Bush for ignoring all that was known about Saddam and the danger of leaving him in power.  In a post 9/11 world, with all that was before him BEFORE the war as far as intelligence, he did the only thing he could do.  I think in the long run it's going to work out in Iraq, but again, that takes us back the patience thing.  I've got it, you don't.  History shows that Rome wasn't built in a day, and neither will a new Iraq.
The president has it in for you, yeah, that's it!
Blaming other people because you refuse to keep up with the world and desperately want to hold on to a job that's clearly on its way down the toilet is the exact attitude that ends up getting nowhere in life, but that's always someone else's fault too, right? What a defeated, running in place attitude you have! See you at Walmart applying for the prestigious greeter job (that will be the president's fault too).

LMAO
That president is such a wimp.
You would think he'd be as far away as possible. I miss President Palmer.
The individual who is now the president of
the insurance company association (whatever it is called) is Mark Racicot, who was Bush's right hand man and head of the RNC. They do not care about the welfare of people, just their own pockets.
President of AAMT going to
x
Writing to president sm
It's a good idea but he's been talking about it for a long time and doubt he'd agree, his mind is made up. What has to come across is the confidentiality issue which I believe is another moot point. It's very sad and I think has been in the making by the hierarchy for years. Doctors don't care period. They have families, hate dictating, would love to have it off their backs. I guess what we have to do in response is be discreet and not tell them anything we don't want the world to know. Sad, sad,sad!
My email to the President
I wrote this email to the President this afternoon. I cry each time I read it. I know I may have a few errors in the punctuation but I was very emotional when I wrote it. *Please note I am a newer Transcriptionist hence the money comment.


Dear Mr. President,

I am a medical transcriptionist. I just got laid off this morning from my job due to our largest client taking their work back in-house and sending some offshore. I have worked 3rd shift for a year for not very much money. I have sacrificed family time, personal time, money, and my health. I have rearranged our family schedule and my body clock. I needed to work and did what I had to do. I worked the job I could find. It was not much money but that money paid my mortgage, put food on our table, paid our auto loans, and credit cards. There are very few jobs out there.

What do you suggest I do now? What are you going to do about offshoring? How am I going to tell my husband? I voted for you. How are you going to help me, (Name) the Transcriptionist? Do I now have to work for an overseas transcription company. That seems very un-American to me.

We pay our bills, we are good people, we work hard but it does not seem to matter. I'm a tired American. I'm tired of working so hard for so little. I'm tired of not making ends meet. I'm tired of being told to be patient and it will turn around. I'm tired of the rest of the world taking advantage of our generosity. I'm tired of my husband driving a (Corporate name) truck all day and night and showing very little for his efforts. I'm tired. I'm tired. I'm tired.

Well, I guess I can get some sleep now because I don't have to work tonight.

So Mr. President, my policy questions for you are:

1. When are we going to take our jobs back and take care of our own people?

2. What am I going to do for work now?


Thank you to whoever reads this. It may not be seen by the President but I feel better having told him about yet one more struggle of an American family.
michelle for president!!!! nm
nm
Three words to discribe Mr. HIS President....
"Male Shovenist Pig"!

The nerve of some people amaze me. Anyone know if he is Indian?
Three words to discribe Mr. HIS President
"Male Shovenist Pig"!

If you cannot even take the time to spell correctly what you are describing, how can anyone take your comments seriously. "chauvinist".

"discribe" How about describe?
My kind? The blame goes far beyond our president.
He should have finished his first battle before he started another. He has done nothing to ensure that our safety is any better than it was pre-911. If anything, it is worse.
Our president has even alienated his own base.

I visit a local political board that is primarily conservative (something I am totally not, but it's still fun to go watch the "fireworks") and even the hardcore Republicans are peeved at him.  Apparently this immigration "amnesty" bill he's pushing has really not settled very well with his "peeps."  I didn't vote for him twice, so my conscience is clear, but I still think he's a tool, president or not.  I never had respect for him and never will.  I know I am not alone either and I'm sorry if that offends you, but I'm exercising one of the primary freedoms that our poor soldiers are dying and getting wounded for--freedom of speech. 


The president himself deserves respect only
when he begins to show respect for the office he holds, the populace he serves, and the constitution.
MQ offshoring - My response to the President

Here's MY letter--below--to our President.  Our jobs are going people.  But our president has other plans.  To the poster below--do you think that lovely older woman who asked the question about offshoring--or any of us lovely people sitting comfortably in our home offices right now working--are cut out for jobs such as (taken from the transcript) building solar panels or wind turbines or the new biofuel -- that involve these higher-value, higher-skill, higher-paying jobs ??  Are you ready to climb a friggen wind turbine and service the propellers? 


I was so upset with his answer.  First, I called the White House.  This is our right.  You ALL should do that.  Second I wrote the following letter to the President.  My own little two cents.  Then I copied it to every news agency out there that I could think of.  Again, just my two cents.  You all should do the same.  Let him know that his answer just will not do.  What are we all supposed to do, in the meantime, to buy food and pay our bills before we get trained to build turbines, solar panels, or go to the lab to create the next biofuel? 


----


President Obama—


You owe the American displaced workers an apology. 


How dare you. 


I am shocked at your response to the video question about the offshoring of American jobs.  How dare you say to us that we don’t want those jobs that are going offshore anyway.  Mr. President, for those of us who have lost or are about to lose our jobs to offshoring, yes we DO want our jobs. 


You then went on to blame offshoring on the credit situation.  Oh come on! The financial disaster has nothing to do with offshoring.  Offshoring is the bastard child of government ineptitude and the corporate greed running rampant in our country.  Offshoring means getting the same job done by cheap third-world labor.  Offshoring is about not paying decent wages and benefits.  Offshoring is about stuffing corporate pockets with more money. 


If there was an international symbol for offshoring, it would be a picture of a CEO’s heel grinding into a third-world worker’s back. 


These greedy corporations have sold out the American worker and are stepping on the backs of the low-wage third-world workers .


I am outraged.  I DID go to school Mr. President.  I HAVE a degree.  I have invested thousands of dollars into reference materials and equipment to help me perform my job better.  I also have invested almost 30 years to my career.  My career is very technical.  I could rattle off a bunch of words here for you, and I bet you would not know what they mean.  But I do.  And I have performed my job with pride all these years. 


How dare you brush off the offshoring question with such simplicity.


Well, I would rather Americans have jobs, not undereducated or poorly educated third world nations. 


A lot of the work from my field goes to India, Phillipines and Pakistan.  Didn’t I see a group of Pakistani’s burning the American Flag on TV recently?  Do you know that when my company’s work goes offshore, it contains the name, birth date and social security numbers of Americans?  This is information,  that in the wrong hands, could be used to ruin someone’s life.  How can we be sure in countries with unstable governments, with such widespread hatred for America, with the arrogance to burn the American Flag on national TV, that this information will be guarded with care?  The sad part is, after the Pakistani’s anti-American demonstration, chances are they all went back to work---doing jobs taken from Americans. 


How dare you say we don’t want our jobs.  What is your solution?  Wait for these “green jobs”  to be created some day?  Go to school while we are waiting and then hope that we will be hired when we are in our golden years? 


How dare you belittle what we all have worked so hard to achieve in our lives.  Not  all offshored jobs are call center jobs.  Many of those jobs are now degreed and highly skilled jobs also. 


And—your comment about our children becoming engineers was laughable.  With all due respect—get with it sir—those jobs are also being offshored.   Also, what are we, the displaced workers, many of us middle age, supposed to do in the meantime before we get trained to build solar panels, wind turbines and create biofuels.  How should be pay for our food and our rents and mortgages? 


No, Mr.  President, you are so very incorrect.  We DO want those jobs.  They feed us, clothe us, and keep us off the street.  Not to mention they help us strengthen the tax base in our own country--America. 


Yes, We WANT our jobs, Mr. President. 


You owe all the displaced American workers an apology. 


You Are Wrong. 



 


Tell that to the President and congressmen/women that should be a requirement sm
and lets see what happen LOL
the president's vacation isn't long enough. needs to be permanent.
as for brain surgeons, they may be making enough money to pay the rent AND take a vacation; I'm not.
My husband is a union president and says we should definitely organize.
But what would then stop them from further outsourcing?
Your opening statement about our President is disrespectful.

Whether or not you like him, he is still the President and that office should be respected. Unfortunately, your statement is reflective of the mindset and mentality of many in our country. And people have to ask why the rest of the world doesn't like us--we don't even like each other.


At the very least you should be respectful of those in positions of authority. It's modeling of appropriate behavior that our children see and emulate themselves.


Interesting Article on eScription President
Interesting interview of eScription's CEO

http://health-information.advanceweb.com/Common/editorial/editorial.aspx?CC=94859
Still waiting for response to my letter sent to President
Bush about Katrina. I called the White House and later sent in fax and so far have no response. Good luck.