When starting out as a medical transcriptionist, I was so focused on medical terminology that when I got stuck on something, I was sure it was a medical term or phrase with which I was unfamiliar. Many times that was not the case.

For instance, if someone says, “Did you lie,” very quickly, it can sound like “July.”

So bear in mind that sometimes, when you can’t understand what is being said, it may be an English word or phrase, not a medical term or phrase.

Tips:

• Slow down the tape speed and play the dictation over a few times. In what context is the mystery word(s) being used? Then increase the tape speed to see if that helps.

• Leave a blank, document the tape or digital player setting, and come back to it with fresh ears after transcribing something else.

• Call a transcription friend and play it over the phone; see if s/he can understand what is being said.

• If all else fails, leave a blank; don’t guess.

When new to transcription or when starting to transcribe for a new doctor in a new field, don’t be surprised if you have this experience. In time, you will become so familiar with the dictator’s voice, style of dictation, and phraseology that you’ll wonder how in the world you couldn’t understand him/her in the first place.