5 Quick Tips while doing Verbatim Transcription

Medical transcription is the process of converting audio files of doctors or health professionals into text format.  Verbatim transcription is that type of transcription which involves the art of converting spoken word into text exactly the way they have been spoken. You need to pay close attention to every word, tone, and sound and also need to use punctuations effectively so that the correct message can be conveyed. Verbatim transcription cannot be created by mindless listening and typing. While doing medical transcription, you need to have a keen ear and attention to detail to produce good quality verbatim transcription.

Here we are to provide you 5 quick tips while doing verbatim transcription & produce quality medical transcription.

1. Avoid Paraphrasing Words: In verbatim transcription, you need to avoid doing the word paraphrasing. Even if you are converting words to text in medical transcription, you need to be careful with a few things. While transcribing if anywhere you get confused or are not familiar with any word in the audio files, do not base your transcription on imagination. Use proper dictionary while considering the text to find out that word.

2. Non-verbal Sounds need to be picked up: While doing medical transcription, verbatim transcripts need to transcribe the non-verbal communication including hand gestures. Along with this, they should not only include the exact spoken words but, also the non-verbal sounds like laughter, pauses or sighs. Picking up non-verbal sounds plays a very important role in verbatim transcription.

3. Include the External Sounds: You need to include the external sounds that you get to hear in the medical transcription audio files, for example, blowing wind, a ringing phone, etc. You need to transcribe all these sounds after listening to them accurately. Unless you are including these into your files, the verbatim transcription will be incomplete.

you can watch this video as well for an adio-visual guide on Quick Tips while doing Verbatim Transcription

4. Catch the false starts & fillers: Often while listening to the audio files of medical transcription, you will come across false starts and fillers like “ahs”, “ums”. These are used by the speakers to buy time to think. You need to consider these in verbatim transcription rather than editing them out. Fillers may break the flow of speaking but never fails to provide insights into the thinking process of a speaker.

5. Hire skilled transcriptionists: Verbatim transcription is important in medical transcription and while hiring transcriptionists, make sure they have a good listening skill along with typing speed. Professional transcriptionists have their ways and art to pick up every sound in the audio files and transcribe them accurately & exactly the way they are. Keep this in your mind that how content is heard and understood by a transcriber is important in determining the format of verbatim transcription.

In conclusion, we can advise you that it might be difficult for you to transcribe all medical transcription audios on your own. You can consider outsourcing these to institutions and companies that offer verbatim transcription services. These will ensure that all verbal along with non-verbal communications are transcribed correctly.