Being a third generation transcriptionist I joke that this is in my genetics. I have always worked in a supporting role for physicians and feel proud of the contribution I make to patient care by providing accurate and timely documentation. As a child I would watch my mother and grandmother work on typewriters using carbon paper for copies, their hands smudged with ink, listening to dictation reco
rded on reel-to-reel tapes. Time progressed and they were some of the first women to use computers in the 80's, word processors that were the size of small cars. Now we are all fully immersed in the computer age and it has changed the face of medicine and medical transcription. There is no doubt the changes are positive overall, but I see one area where an additional burden has been placed, and that is on the physician. Having watched the progression of EMR technology since its inception, I see physicians having to look at computer screens and enter information during a visit instead of being able to make eye contact with their patients and have thoughtful conversations. I see physicians who work a full day in clinic and then at the end of the day face another half a day's work in order to complete EMR documentation, on which every other department is waiting to be able to complete their tasks. Over time many doctors find themselves exhausted, with a sense of disbelief about the actual practice of medicine versus what they envisioned when deciding to become a doctor. They want to connect to their patients and provide care that makes them feel safe and supported, but in order to interact meaningfully with patients during a visit, they are often forced to complete their EMR documentation later, leading to those long days which over time are not sustainable. Transcription Unlimited seeks to help those exhausted and disappointed physicians find a way to practice medicine the way they want to practice it, to connect with their patients and make them feel supported. If the physician is willing to take 2-3 minutes at the end of a visit to dictate a note, the Transcription Unlimited team takes it from there. The service we offer to physicians can be life changing for them, especially if they are trying to achieve balance with a family life and self-care.
