Is Medical Transcription Still in Demand?

Is medical transcription a dying field? Some people have been asking this question lately. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, medical transcriptionist employment is expected to drop by 7 percent by 2030. However, the BLS also reports that nearly 7,000 new openings are expected yearly. This certainly indicates a continued demand for medical transcription services. We’re happy to report the answer to the question, “Is medical transcription still in demand?” It is a resounding yes! We explain why below.

Doctors Still Need to Meet EHR Requirements Accurately

One of the top reasons medical transcription is still in demand is the need to be mindful of electronic health record requirements. By taking advantage of EHR transcription services, medical practices can ensure compliance with EHR requirements while easing this burden for already busy staff members.

EHR (Electronic Health Record) requirements mandate detailed and accurate documentation. Medical transcriptionists are trained to understand these guidelines and ensure all necessary information is captured in the EHR. This includes accurate medical terminology, coding, and adherence to specific documentation formats. By outsourcing transcription, medical practices can ensure compliance and free up valuable time for their staff to focus on patient care.

Medical transcriptionists are trained to enter appropriate codes and pay extra attention to the details required to maintain accuracy.

Working from Home Isn’t Usually an Option for Medical Professionals

Part of the reason there has been speculation about the decrease in the need for medical transcription work is the shift to a remote lifestyle for many people. This occurred mainly during the first year or so of the COVID-19 pandemic. In the medical profession, pandemic-related precautions also contributed to increased telemedicine services, virtual “office visits” or medical appointments. However, doctors, nurses, physical therapists, and similar healthcare professionals typically don’t have the option of working from home due to the nature of what they do. Plus, even if more patients benefit from virtual appointments, audio notes about those visits still need to be transcribed.

AI and Medical Transcription

Artificial intelligence (AI) has made significant strides in speech recognition accuracy in recent years. However, AI technology might not be ideal for all medical transcription tasks. While AI can handle clear speech and basic medical terminology, it may struggle with:

Complex medical terminology: Medical transcriptionists possess in-depth knowledge of medical jargon and can accurately capture specialized terms that might trip up AI software.

Unclear audio: Background noise, accents, or mumbling can significantly reduce AI accuracy. Human transcriptionists can leverage their understanding of context and medical practices to decipher unclear audio.

Overall, AI presents a valuable tool for medical transcription. Still, human expertise remains essential for ensuring the highest levels of accuracy, especially when dealing with complex medical information or challenging audio quality.

Experience the Many Benefits of Medical Transcription Services for Yourself

Enjoy all the many benefits that go along with medical transcription personalized to your needs by contacting a reliable medical transcription company. At 360 Transcription, we provide various useful and customized services that are ideal for any budget and a wide range of service needs. Whether you prefer to outsource everything or only get the added support you need for what you do internally, we’re here to help. Contact us today to learn more.