Equipment

Digital audio files

Digital audio files are the dictation files used by many healthcare providers and medical transcriptionists today.  Every day, more healthcare providers update their equipment and their dictation procedures and move to digital files.  Every day, medical transcriptionists update their equipment and their transcription procedures to accommodate their clients.  

Why digital files?

Medical transcriptionists have long transcribed from tapes, and from handwritten notes before that.  Tapes came in three sizes and formats: standard cassette tapes, mini cassette tapes, and microcassette tapes.  Each tape requires a transcriber (that's the machine, not the person!) that works with that size tape.  Many medical transcriptionists have to have and maintain 3 different machines for the purpose of getting a day's work done. Then they need backup machines in case of mechanical failure. With digital files, no transcribers are needed.  Files are stored on the computer and can easily and instantly be shared by email, FTP, and other file sharing processes.  There is no equipment to maintain, jam, repair, make room for, or even dust!  The voice file can't tear, twist, wear thin, or get stuck.

Digital files are much clearer in tone and sound quality.  Volume can be adjusted with considerable variability.  Speed can be adjusted.  There is less static and other extraneous sounds.  The background noise caused by the recording mechanism is just not there as it is with tapes.  Digital sound files are infinitely clearer than analog (tape).

Is a special foot pedal needed?

Like the analog transcribers, the movement of the sound file is best controlled by a foot pedal.  The digital voice files on your computer require a foot pedal that connects to your computer either by serial port (with older equipment) or by USB port.  However, some digital players also provide for keyboard controls so that the files can be used without a foot pedal.  If you do not already own a digital player and foot pedal, try out the technology before you buy.  Various  digital players specially designed for transcription are available as free downloads from the Internet.