Re: MT questions/expanders/DNS

From: Ed Chait (edchait4remove_at_earthlink.net)
Date: 02/01/05 

Date: Mon, 31 Jan 2005 21:47:40 -0800

"Su" <.@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:IVmLd.5734$BQ2.5400@bignews6.bellsouth.net...
> "Ed Chait" <edchait4remove@earthlink.net> wrote in message
> news:365d8lF4v3sgsU1@individual.net...
>
>> The combination of VR *and* and a word expander is extremely cool.
>
> I tried that voice and didn't fair as well. I'm still trying to work
> through the number issue. DNS has a death grip on some things, even when
> you adjust the word properties.
>

Thus far, I have found that it is just easier and faster to use the keyboard
for some things. For lines with lots of numbers, I just use the keyboard.
Switching modes in DNS for a few numbers is not efficient.

I also switch around on punctuation. Sometimes I do it verbally, sometimes
I just use the keyboard to insert the commas and periods. Fortunately, DNS
doesn't care either way and keeps the spacing correct.

>
>> As far as remembering the word expander abbreviations, if you can
>> remember all the medical terminology necessary to do this job, I don't
>> see why this would be an issue.
>
> I can offer two reasons, but only as they apply to me: First, medical
> terminology is plain English to me, whereas the use of abbreviations is
> perceived as a code.
>

Perceptions are often biased or prejudiced and can change if we stay
open-minded and give things a chance.

My expander "system" is to just use the first two or three letters of a word
or phrase as the abbreviation. Then, if I need to modify it further, or
make it distinct from another three letter abbreviation, I add another
letter. Doing it this way entails almost no memorization at all and works
really well for me.

It is hardly a cryptic "code."

for instance:

welm = The patient is a well-developed, well-nourished male, currently in no
acute distress.

welf = The patient is a well-developed, well-nourished female, currently in
no acute distress.

hy = hypertension

hyp = hyperlipidemia

> Second, I've got a lazy brain. It's been that way as far back as I can
> remember. I never liked school and I always hated studying. Even to this
> day.
>
> Take the simple word "appendix." I've known how to spell that word for
> years. With an expander I would first have to create a system and then I
> would have to remember that particular system as it applies to that
> particular word. Now, how am I supposed to do that for - approximate,
> approximated, approximation, approximating, approximately, appropriate,
> appropriately, etc. --- Now, your mind may look at that and say, "Hey,
> it's no big deal." Perhaps it's not, to you, and thousands of MTs as
> yourself. I find it extremely mentally taxing and frustrating.
>

Then you are not nearly lazy enough. If you were lazy enough, you would
figure out a way to do it, and put just a bit of effort into it like the
rest of us *really* lazy people, who reap the benefits of having to work a
whole lot less in the long-run.

> VR requires one thing only - ar-ti-cu-late correctly. That's all I need to
> remember.
>

I think the amount of training and fine-tuning that DNS requires is pretty
similar in overall effort to what word expander requires.

Using both together, however, is pure ecstasy.

>> The abbreviations become second-nature if you put in the initial effort
>> to use them, and the payoff is more than worth it.
>
> That goes without saying for life in general ... Study hard. Stop spending
> money. Watch your diet and get lots of exercise. Get plenty of sleep. ---
> But if a part of you lacks the desire, it's a moot point. From my
> perspective, I resolved the production issue with VR. I can produce more
> lines per hour dictating and proofing than just typing with my 85 wpm
> typing speed and limited use of abbreviations (maybe 30% of what I
> transcribe is with abbreviations).

It doesn't have to be one or the other.

Yes, desire is important. Being honest with ourselves about why we lack
desire is even more important. But, too much introspection and analyzation
is often counter-productive.

Thinking, "I'm like this so I can't do that" is often just an easy way to
justify our behavior and decisions.

I have this Nike slogan over my desk...................

ed

Relevant Pages

  • Re: MT questions
    ... I tried that voice and didn't fair as well. ... DNS has a death grip on some things, ... lines per hour dictating and proofing than just typing with my 85 wpm typing ... speed and limited use of abbreviations (maybe 30% of what I transcribe is ...
    (sci.med.transcription)
  • Re: IT question
    ... DNS on the other hand, ... > investment in time as it will keep you working when you normally wouldn't ... I don't see where an expander type program would do that. ... abbreviations) which I found fascinating. ...
    (sci.med.transcription)