| Student medical transcriptionists and beginner MTs | | | | if they can use their Apple Mac computers. Usually |
| often want to know what type of equipment | | | | the answer is no, but there are a few exceptions. |
| they need to buy in order to start transcribing. | | | | If you end up working for a large national |
| They are specifically concerned about having the | | | | transcription company, an Apple computer will not |
| correct equipment on hand before they start to | | | | be compatible with their software. However, if |
| take on their own accounts. The worry is that | | | | you decide to only have your own accounts and |
| they won't have all the equipment necessary and | | | | take on work from local doctors you may be able |
| therefore will not get the account. | | | | to use your Mac computer. You can use the word |
| I remember that being the basis of my biggest | | | | processing software that your doctor's office |
| fear when I tried to get my first account. I was | | | | prefers on your Mac (usually Microsoft Word), so |
| afraid that I wouldn't know what equipment to | | | | that's not a problem at all. But what do you need |
| even suggest if the doctor was using an | | | | to know the foot pedal and the playback |
| extremely outdated tape system and asked me | | | | software that you'll need to hear the digital |
| what she should be using. It's laughable to me | | | | recording? Great news there: |
| now: First, with most doctors' offices you may | | | | For the last several years all Mac computers have |
| never deal directly with the doctor. Ordinarily it will | | | | been made with Intel processors. This means that |
| be the office manager who you will interact with. | | | | your Mac can work on a Windows operating |
| Second, it is easy to find great digital equipment | | | | system as well as with your regular OS X |
| online. It takes very little time to learn how to use | | | | software. You should have special software that |
| it. Third, the majority of offices already have a | | | | allows you to go back and forth between the |
| system in place, and they'll explain how it works, | | | | two operating systems, but once it's installed it's |
| not the other way around. If they don't know | | | | quite easy to do this. This means that you can |
| how, you can be the hero by studying the manual | | | | buy any foot pedal or digital dictation software |
| online and then demonstrating how to use their | | | | that would work on a regular PC and have it |
| own equipment. It is really not that difficult. | | | | work just fine on your Mac, too! |
| I strongly recommend that you wait until you land | | | | In addition, as Macs are becoming more popular, |
| your first job or client before you run out and | | | | there are also foot pedals and digital dictation |
| buy any equipment, other than what you need | | | | software designed to work on either Macs or |
| for your training. Some doctors in smaller offices | | | | PCs. |
| surprisingly still use micro cassettes while others | | | | In addition to the above, there are other forms |
| use small handheld digital recorders and will send all | | | | of medical transcription equipment that you should |
| files to you over the Internet. | | | | know about. A good headset is the one of the |
| Even knowing the above, you still probably want | | | | most crucial pieces of equipment you will buy. It |
| to know what basic medical transcription | | | | needs to be comfortable, have great volume |
| equipment consists of, so let's look at that next. | | | | control, and be simple and fast to replace. A quick |
| First, you obviously will need a computer! What | | | | search online will turn up dozens of choices with |
| kind of computer depends on many things. I am | | | | many reviews. |
| often asked by people who want to become MTs | | | | |