We don’t intend to dissuade you from becoming a medical transcriptionist, but there are certain factors that clearly indicate when you are not made for medical transcription. We will look at five such factors.

• Choosing medical transcription because of comfort: In medical transcription, work is equivalent to deadlines. If you cannot handle turnaround times of 24 hours or less, this profession is not for you.
• Not being comfortable meeting the high goals in quality: There are people who are perfectionists when it comes to quality of work but they cannot deliver it in time and then there are those who always meet deadlines but their quality suffers and is not up to the mark. You can’t afford to compromise quality for deadlines or vice-versa. If the profession’s zero tolerance with respect to critical errors scares you, don’t become a medical transcriptionist.
• No interest in continuing learning after the training: You cannot survive for too long in the profession if you are not willing to learn. Obsolete knowledge can cost the medical transcriptionist dearly. If you don’t have the willingness to learn, don’t join the industry.
• Not comfortable being self-dependent: The medical transcriptionist does not work in teams. He/she is required to work on his/her own without any kind of supervision. If you cannot handle crisis situations on your own, you shouldn’t become a medical transcriptionist.
• Unable to motivate yourself: The medical transcription work can become monotonous and boring over a period of time. You are required to keep yourself interested in the job. This profession is not for you if you cannot motivate yourself.