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Serving Over 20,000 US Medical Transcriptionists

Of course they do. That was one of the concerns about Medquist. Info from the VA

Posted By: mm on 2007-05-18
In Reply to: Offshore MTs do not see any private info. - Not the problem.

was going offshore. The info included the location of the soldier's troop when he was wounded in combat and more.


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Interesting info on Offshore Concerns board
OSI offshores and that is why they can't keep quality MTs

In Reply to: Today, I landed a client that was using and Indian service. They said the service - Kansas MTSO sm

The MTs they do keep are basically no more accurate than the Indians. The QA department is a joke because they hire people fresh out of MT school. It is a sad company and is destined to fail if they don't start thinking more about quality than keeping the brownnosers happy. This could be true for other companies that offshore as well.

D I T T O D I T T O
MedQuist board is now set up. See Medquist link to the left.
Link is also below.
sometimes this concerns me as well
I talked with my account managers about the future of MT and does she really feel there is a shortage. On the 1 hand she said yes there is a lack of qualified MTs, but what she also did say is that those with experience have more job security, which makes sense.

For ideas, have you ever thought of possibly becoming a paralegal or perhaps a legal secretary? Also, what about maybe delving into possible general transcription? I did a bit of that myself and it was not too bad. At least some of the skills you have learned being a Transcriptionist can still be used. I always try to keep a mental list of 5 different "paths" I could pursue if things got bad, but luckily things have never gotten to that point.

Like I said in my heading, sometimes the future of MT concerns me, but the reality is there is no such thing as a stable job anymore. I also got into transcription during my college years, 2 year actually. I ended up completing my AA as well and went on to pursue a degree in IT with an emphasis in networking, but it really bored me to death. Your family should not look at you like you did not succeed. So many people that I know from friends and family all think it is so great that I get to work at home and do so well for myself.
concerns--sm
I tend to agree with the other poster below. Do not discuss things with your mother. You already know how she is going to react and it only serves to aggravate you. If you have genuine concerns about your aunt or any other family member's health, try to address it to the doctor directly. As far as your mother goes, it sounds to me like you are seeking her approval and acknowledgement for your accomplishments. Apparently you are not going to get that. I have a mother who is the same way and it angered me to the point where I confronted her a couple of times about it. It only caused alot of hurt and anger when I did that, so now I just turn the other cheek and try to ignore it. The only person you have to prove yourself to is you and the good Lord. Since He already knows your worth, you need to work on your own. Don't look to others to validate your worth. You don't need to. You are already special. :^) Have a good day, and think positive thoughts of yourself and your abilities.
Concerns/questions

As always, if you have concerns/questions/comments regarding DSG, I have an open door policy.  Please feel free to contact me at kdenson@dsg-inc.net.


Thank you.


Offshore concerns

They are smart , and that is why the jobs are going to them! Jobs don't make people smarter; smart people do their jobs well. If you don't believe this then you must question the wisdom of the American MTSOs and companies that outsource. As I have said before, all Indian MTs are not bad and all US MTs are not good. I've seen excellent quality from India and poor quality from the US - that's the other side of the story which none of you wants to see, let alone admit.


 This is why I call US MTs insular. If you will only look outside of your own town/state/country you will see how the world has changed and the so-called developing countries have advanced in many ways. 


The problem with the US is it has been functioning too long in a  cocoon, sheltered and protected. But with the coming of the global age, competiton has become fierce and jobs are moving overseas and it is now finding it difficult to cope in this new business climate.


You say "sadly" because it affects you but have you ever wondered how Indians like it when American companies dump poor quality goods on them and Indian businesses have to shut shop because they can't bear the  competition? Of course most of you would not have heard that pesticides were found in  bottles of a premier American brand of soft drink sold in India!


Instead of treating "offshoring" as some terrible phenomenon, it is high time US MTs learned to accept the situation because this is the New Age Economy where everything is decided in competition.


 


You are an IC -- state your concerns
You need to get some faith in yourself.  If you are an IC and if you agreed on a certain rate of pay, they need to adhere to that.  If you have a plumber come and work for you and you don't agree with his rate of pay, you cannot halfway through the job decide to pay him less.   It is the same thing.  I give an offer to my IC's and if they want to work for that they can but I cannot suddenly change halfway through without re-negotiating with them and they must agree to a lower rate, etc.  So if you agreeed fine -- accept it but if they just did it, don't.  It is hard around the holidays but is appears you are not making that much anyway so what do you have to lose especially if they took away half of your job.   You need to read and see what an IC actually means and if they are calling the shots you are an employee and can raise a little bit of trouble for them.  But talk to them as sometimes until you stand up to them, they will walk all over you. 
Your concerns are valid, unfortunately : (

EMR and voice recognition has put me out of a job.  On my former job, there was one other Transcriptionist besides me.  Because she had been there longer, she got what was left over after most of the docs jumped on the voice recognition bandwagon.  They use Dragon Naturally Speaking.  I have seen it at work myself and it is quite accurate.  There is no editing being done on their work.  Now, I'm doing a job that is just that, a JOB.  I enjoy transcribing and am looking for another job, but MT jobs seem to be few and far between where I am.  I can't get high speed internet where I live, so most services are out.  I may move onto a different career if something doesn't come around soon.  I thought about legal transcription.  Anyone have experience with that?


 


Outsourcing Concerns

Did any of you watch the special the other night on identity theft?  I think it was maybe on Dateline.  If so, you heard them say the identity theft ring reaches far beyond the shores of the US.  It involves many of the countries that are receiving outsourced transcription work. 


The first thought that came to mind when watching that was our medical records.  I often have dictation that gives me a SSN and DOB.  I also often have dictation on a new patient giving me other details, such as where the individual works, how many children they have, etc.  I always get their height, weight and race.  With these details, the individuals being outsourced to have everything they need to supply a terrorist or identity theft ring information to enable them to pose as someone else.  This is very frightening to me!


What do we do?  How do we wake America up to what we're facing?  Sure, we can write our elected officials, but you all know as well as I do that such correspondence falls upon deaf ears.  Does anyone have any suggestions on where we go from here?  At this point, it isn't only about losing our jobs, its about national security.


What concerns me about newbies is
that often they write these excited posts and reveal how tiny their working English vocabulary is. That's a terrible place to start out from. I try to be polite, but I do remember being a newbie for hospital work and how appalled the trainer was with the other MTs who had tiny English vocabularies. She about dropped her teeth because the first time I had to spell shotty adenopathy I spelled it right. I couldn't believe anybody would think "shoddy adenopathy" would make any sense. It's not logical.

How do you train people to THINK and be logical in their transcription? Those are things the person should bring to the table if they want to go into a career in the written word. Then you can build on that logic as you interpret MD slurring.


I've had similar concerns
about blacklisting. After all, anybody can see how easy it would be to paint a dark picture of a company on this board so why wouldn't companies have a similar board somewhere to do the same with employees? I think the answer is because it would be considered blacklisting which would likely violate some employment laws and it would be too difficult to keep it a secret. But I could be wrong.

Faxing and HIPAA concerns
I need to know the regulations imposed by HIPAA for MTSOs faxing medical reports to referring doctors.  Thanks.
Offshore concerns blog

I mentioned this a few messages below, but the blog has its first post. I am NOT supporting any Ad things on there and will not be making anything off this. 


http://violatingamerica.blogspot.com/


If you have a link that would be useful to others to write their gov't reps, companies, news sources, etc, feel free to post them or e-mail me so i can get them up there.  I am also looking for any news stories or any information we can get.  One way or the other, we might be able to make a difference. 


Know is old post - but valid concerns

I don't kow what they could do to help you RE: Katrina but companies need to verify the NEED to cut back or do it across the board, at least in the department / job level. I worked for this company for 6 yr & had several cuts in my take home. The platforms used became slower & slower because of the amazing amt of data in the programs. I had 3 gig memory & STILL took forever & you aren't making a dime for that several minute while a report is sending & the next coming in & then doing the demographic page.


I've been trying to find out if there was anything of that investigation - I never did get that paper that so many other employees got. And I had a definite beef.


Please use Offshore Concerns board for those topics. (NM)
Goldbird
be sure to mention HIPAA concerns with offshore...nm
..
Anything an MT can do when you have grave concerns about patient care?

Is there anything at all an MT can do when you have grave concerns about the care a patient is receiving? I know the answer to this is probably no, but I am so completely frustrated with my one of "my" doctors right now.  I know that one of his patients is not receiving the proper care, and I am really worried for this patient. I wish I could contact the patient's mother and let her know my concerns, but I know that is not allowed and I would be fired for doing so. I know that I'm not anywhere near as smart as a doctor, but my son has the same condition that this patient does and I know that the patient is not receiving the proper care or even the correct diagnosis. It is hard to go into all of the details for confidentiality reasons. I just know, 100% sure, that this patient deserves better care than he is receiving. 


Sometimes the virtual world that we work in is great, and other times it really stinks. If I were working in the doctor's office I could gently share my concerns (maybe I would still be fired but I could give it a shot). Here in this virtual world where the doctors don't even know I exist I can do absolutely nothing.


I'm just so frustrated at the doctor and so very worried for this patient.


Taking 2 polls on offshore concerns board

Please participate!


Thank you!


d~


Take your medical degree into the office and voice your concerns.
How do you know the patient isn't getting the proper care? No two patients are alike, just because your child has the same condition doesn't mean anything. This parent probably has googled her child's condition and is working along with the doctor. As an MT, you should not talk about any patient even with the other people in the office. It is confidential information and very unprofessional.
Comedy Stop & Offshore Concerns were the last 2 boards to be changed over to the new format.
Archives will be available soon.
Please post offshore topics on Offshore Concerns board. (NM)

Thank you. 


Goldbird


This thread belongs on Offshore Concerns; thread locked. (NM)
Goldbird
MedQuist NE

Would appreciate specifics about why people say to stay away from the northeast offices of MedQuist.  What region is a good one?


Quit last job and would appreciate any info about a good company.


Thank you


 


 


Medquist.com

It was enlightening to read your Imail - Email??  I'm just as confused as you are.  - and I was ready to throw in the towel(or something).  I have been doing this almost 12 years also.  The changes being made are baffling - but since it has been a great 12 years so far, maybe a few more months will be best at this point.  I am old enough to know that change can be painful at times.  Since I love this work and feel as though I accomplish something in the process I am going to stay with it, thanks to you.  To make things worse, I have been on vacation for a while.  Who knows what's going on since I left.  May need to take a course in transcription.  Oh, oh I started the sentence wrong, didn't I. - Is that 1 point off or 2 (or is it two?)  Good grief!!


 


RSVP and have a good day.


Medquist
I'm not surprised.  Getting a raise is like pulling teeth out of a lion's mouth - it just doesn't happen easily at all.  You have to beg for a raise at MQ and even when you do ask, you either get ignored or put off.
QA for MedQuist

I am considering becoming a QA for MedQuist instead of a transcriptionist for them.  does anybody have any experience doing this for MedQuist and, if so, any advice?  Should I do it?  Is it profitable?


 


thanks,


QA for MedQuist
i really would rather not say, i'm just wondering myself if anybody had experience in this position.
MedQuist...
Radiology (I know, I know - they're awful and foul and terrible and bad and icky according to others so I'll go ahead and flame myself here:  )....but it sure works as a company for me!
not according to MedQuist
If the doc says cc, they want cc. I learned this after converting to mL for about two weeks.

As I have said before - I am busy UNlearning everything I learned in school....oh well.
MedQuist

Dear Duck, Dear MQMT, and Dear MQ Slave:


I would like you to collectively pull your heads out of the 14 feet of sand that they are in and do a search on this MTStars website about the r-e-a-l-i-t-i-e-s of MedQuist.   Your comments are would be hilarious if they were not so sad and profoundly ignorant.   Do the search.  Then, gosh, you might know what the fuss is all about, goobers. 


More on Medquist
'Wondering why everyone hates MedQuist. I have worked for them for six years and I haven't had any problems.
medquist
I'm not management, just wondering.
Medquist
I don't have my HEAD IN 14 FEET OF SAND. I have seen some changes. I'm not ignorant. That's why I got a full-time job at a hospital that will allow me to work at home and kept MQ as part-time. I just don't believe/take as gospel everything that folks say
GO medquist
Did they give you any reason why they fired you?
medquist
Hey I just wanted to offer my sympathies. I worked in a hospital office for MQ and we got paid by the report. Then mq hired people at home who would dial in whenever they wanted to and type the short work and leave the long ones for us. What a nightmare it was. I felt like I was going to have a breakdown and the woman sitting next to me was wearing a holter monitor, ha ha. Anyway, good luck, I'm looking to.
MedQuist - changes

I have been with Medquist 5 years as a subcontactor.  Times they are a changin....I would like to know what some of the other girls are doing and is this change for the better?  I am very confused about the whole deal.  I have always enjoyed working for MedQuist and would like to stay on, but I am a bit concerned.  Is this standard in the way of the way transcription companies work.  MedQuist is the only large company I have worked for other than the hospital of course and for myself.


MedQuist
I am going to try it for a few months as well and see what happens. I worked hard this year training on op notes and a very hard account. I am just now starting to get my production back up to par and nothing to where I need to be. I would hate to leave all that. Plus, Medquist provides my equipment and I would also like to try out the 401K. I have no investments either other than some dolls and collectibles that I have been buying over the years and I can't live on that. Let me know how you do? Not that I have been making any incentive pay lately anyway, but it sounds like it will be very difficult to do so. My base rate stayed the same, but it is low due to the fact that my production has been down, so I need to get that up. If I understand right, you can discuss increases with your supervisor and then produce so much for two consecutive pay periods and go from there. I am on the highest tier, but low base rate because of my production in June, July, and August. I need to concentrate on getting that up and trying for 1500 lines a day that would provide a little incentive I guess, but hard on the neck and shoulders.
MEDQUIST CHANGES
I strongly advise anyone working for Medquist to actually sit down and do the math on the new incentive plan. I have been through it forward and backward and come up with the same result, less money for the same amount of work.

Please explain what I am doing wrong. I used this formula.

I based 1200 lines a day for 12 days (average pay period in a bi-monthly pay period. On the old incentive plan, this many lines would put you at an extra 1.5 cents per line. The new plan give syou only your base pay for this. If you go over 1200 lines a day then you make added incentive ONLY FOR THE LINES OVER THE 1200, not for the entire 1200. The base pay was only 1/2 cent a line more. So there is the benefit to this?

I would realy appreciate an explanation as to why my figuring is incorrect.

Medquist

I heard something about Medquist going to 1 office.  Does anyone know more?


Medquist
I am just starting with MQ and am happy to hear that someone is happy with them. Are you still? I've been reading all negative things..
dqs-Medquist
Iwork for the California office and they have recently done an update. One of the things changed was the ability to regulate the speed of dictation. A big help to me.
MedQuist.
nm
MT for MedQuist
I actually posted to the board for general questions, so I don't know how my question ended up on this board. I would be working as an MT. I have been an independent MT for 3 years now, so I know it will be a change. I was just wondering how it is to work for Medquist as an MT, i.e., plenty of steady work, great communication, etc.?
Medquist
Do you work there? Just wondering since last week I was speaking to my production supervisor who told me that eventually they would be completely ASR. The majority of the work I was getting was ASR. It is getting there, slowly but surely. Why don't you ask somebody there. Some people can't see the truth if it hits them in the forehead.
Medquist
Anyone out there work for Medquist and can give me some info on the pros/cons of working for them? Or...suggest a company to work for.
No, it is not w/ Medquist. It is w/ a smaller co. nm
/
I said MediSCRIPT, not MedQUIST..nm
xs
MedQuist I-mail

What's the deal with changing the way we get our e-mail?? I got the memo about opening a browser and typing


mail.medquistmail.com


but I can't get that to work any way, shape, or form.  My helpful CSC said "Call Atlanta."  I have been on hold for over 1/2 hour, listening to their hideous Muzak.   Can anyone tell me how to access my e-mail???


Medquist I-Mail
Geez - sure glad I checked the boards tonight - I'm lost. I've received no memo regarding a change in I-Mail but sure was wondering why I hadn't received anything since 6/20. Did you get a memo via "slow mail" or through your I-Mail & when did you get it - today? I checked my I-Mail earlier this evening before coming on here & still had nothing. Thanks to you guys - guess I'd better hop onto Medquist.com & find out what's going on. Talk about "good communication!" Personally, I never wanted to use I-Mail because of having to access it through IE, have had trouble off and on with access working then all of a sudden not working (occurring before this incident) & really hate the thought of trying to figure something else out in order to get an e-mail from Medquist. Anyhow - thanks for the heads up - I'll check out Medquist.com & see if I can figure out what I have to do this time - then will inquire as to why I didn't receive notification of such.
Medquist.com - QNet
Well, continuing from my message above - maybe I've been let go & they haven't told me yet - not kidding. I have received no memo regarding change in I-Mail, so, per your message, went to Medquist.com, QNet, then your message said to follow the links - what links?? I-Mail only took me to my I-Mail registration site- nothing new, changed, or new information. Tried a couple of other sites & got absolutely no where!! Geez - I only thought I was lost - now I'm totally baffled & don't know where to go from here! Guess I could try voicemail, but, there again not sure who or whom I should call as personnel changes have been made & I have no clue who to contact nor extension to call! Hopefully, getting in touch with who I think is and/or was my MT Supervisor will get me some help, although voicemail received today was from one of the new supervisors - my new supervisor? I, again, have no clue. Any other suggestions anyone?! As all of my "familiar" leadership & support over the last 12 yrs has now disappeared, I'm just about ready to call it quits myself. A fiasco & confusion such as this, which in the overall picture is minute, would never have occurred to begin with under their leadership. I truly believe I'm not the only one who has no clue as to what is going on simply regarding I-Mail, which makes me wonder who knows what is going on with anything. Getting too scary for me with no one knowing, or admitting to anything, & communication diminishing to nil. I'm done trying things tonight (well,this a.m.). Will await getting a "memo" (i.e. still nothing), and go from there !!!
Medquist mail
I accidentally deleted my e-mail telling me how to check my mail under mail.medquistmail.com. When I try that address, I dead-end. Anybody have a step-by-step that works or is the system down?