The voice recognition software has been a cause for concern for many a people in the medical transcription business. Is it a threat? Why do some people say that the software will eventually replace medical transcriptionists? Is this really going to happen? Today’s post strives to answer all these questions.

What is the voice recognition software?
The voice recognition software is one that can convert voice commands into input understandable by the computer. Simply put, this software makes the computer understand voice commands.

Why is it considered a threat to medical transcriptionists?
Some believe that the voice recognition software eliminates the need for transcription. They believe that the voice recordings by the doctors will be converted into medical documents instantly. Experts, however, say that the software is not really a threat but an aid for the medical transcriptionists. The following answer explains how.

Can the voice recognition software replace medical transcriptionists?
No. The voice recognition software is a great tool, but it is not equipped to solve the problems that brought about the need for medical transcription. Therefore, it cannot replace medical transcriptionists. Let us understand why.

• A doctor is required to spend a considerable amount of time ‘training’ the software to make it recognize his/her voice. The need for medical transcription came because doctors do not have time at their hand.
• Even after ‘training’, the voice recognition software has to be used properly to get results. The doctor needs to speak slowly and clearly so as to make the software understand his/her words. Once again, the software does not help doctors save any time.
• The software cannot analyze or make conclusions of its own. Unlike a human being, the voice recognition software cannot make logical deductions to arrive at a conclusion to deliver a complete medical record.
• The results of the voice recognition software are not accurate, requiring a human being to edit and make changes in order to deliver a complete medical record.

In spite of taking up a lot of time and effort, the voice recognition software does not deliver accurate results. This eradicates any possible threat to the medical transcriptionists. The software, however, can be used as an aid to the medical transcription work. A medical transcriptionist can make the voice recognition software make the first draft from the voice recordings and then go on to make edits to deliver the final record.