The profession may allow an easy entry but medical transcription is not everyone’s cup of tea. Though it has several benefits, certain factors can chase people away from the profession. My advice to aspiring transcriptionists: make sure you understand the challenges in the profession before stepping in. I have come to realize that four factors are crucial in deciding whether an individual will stick to the profession or leave.

• The first factor is the profession’s zero tolerance when it comes to critical errors in medical records. And it is quite obvious given that a critical error can impact the safety of a patient. However, not all transcriptionists can meet this quality goal.
• Next factor is the deadlines in the profession. You cannot relax with respect to medical transcription work. Every task comes with a tag of its required turnaround. You have to deal with deadlines everyday, and some tasks need to be completed in a matter of just a few hours.
• The profession requires you to keep learning even after you have got that job. Didn’t you just complete an in-depth training? Yes, but the medical transcriptionist has to keep updating his/her medical knowledge or his knowledge will become obsolete. However, not all people have that willingness to spend time and effort on learning, making many stay away from the profession.
• One of the unique features of medical transcription is that you are required to work independently, without supervision. While this may sound enticing in the beginning, handling crisis situations on your own becomes a challenge not many want to encounter.

The above-mentioned factors actually prepare you for the profession. If you are comfortable with the challenges posed by medical transcription, welcome aboard.