The voice recognition software was touted as a threat to the medical transcriptionist’s job. However, with time, the software became an aid to the transcriptionist’s work. Let us look at why the software could not do what it came for.

The voice recognition software is an application that can convert voice commands into input understandable by the computer. Thus, doctors can record information directly into it and the software will transcribe it into text. Now, that should have done away with the need for the transcriptionist. But that could not happen.

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.

The problem with the software is that even after spending a considerable amount of time training and using it, it does not deliver accurate results. This after the doctor has made an effort speaking clearly and precisely.

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.

Now, the software works great as an aid to the transcriptionist’s work as it can prepare a first draft of the transcription. The transcriptionist can then work around this draft.