Speech Wreck
I hate the term, and I find it intensely annoying that not only MTs are using this as a pet name for that silly, old speech recognition now making our lives miserable, but even employers are sending out "humorous" emails with today's funny from the engine that will not learn. Except for recent grads who went straight into SR editing and don't have a clue how big a step down it is from straight transcription or the full ramifications of it on our perceived value in the workplace, I don't know any MTs who are happy with it. After years of typing on a normal QWERTY or Dvorak keyboard, SR utilizes an awkward set of key commands, resulting in a whole new generation of occupational injuries. All those normals you've spent years creating in Shorthand, Instant Text, or other expander? Sorry, you're not supposed to just plug them in when SR makes mincemeat of what's actually dictated because unless you fix each mistake it makes individually, the poor thing can't learn from its mistakes and you will make it take longer to replace you.
Honestly, the only ones I've heard rave about SR are the crap sales people who foist it off on unsuspecting clients and the management of those greedy and gullible companies who are desperate to whip up some enthusiasm amongst their employees, who are now faced with the choice of working twice as hard for half the pay or not working at all. They seem unwilling to accept that this isn't equitable and is lousy for morale. There are incredible numbers of veteran MTs who are now crying because they are seeing their paychecks fall precipitously because there's no way to double production to make up for half the wages. MTs are finding there are fewer and fewer straight transcription jobs to go to, the ones out there are not paying any more for experience than for new grads, and many who have supported themselves adequately for years are now facing bankruptcy and foreclosure as a result. Hardly a joking matter.
Thanks to a friend who suffers as bad an internet addiction as I do, I was linked to a brilliant illustration of this on a message board I don't normally frequent. I've tried in vain to contact the author, who apparently (and justifiably) feels the need to remain anonymous, but perhaps when she leaves her position (retiring to clean toilets or something more lucrative, I wager), she'll put in an appearance and accept the kudos she so richly deserves. I predict this could be one of those things that appears for years to come in email forwards and MT message boards. It is just that good. If MTSOs are smart, they will take this as more than a harmless joke because, though it is funny on the surface, the message is anything but.
As an empty with plenty years experience comma eye was vary this dress to learn that I will shortly be demoted from an empty to a VR quote editor unquote making far less money than my training and years of experience deserve period you are comma node out comma counting on technology to eventually fix the bugs in yore VR soft wear period mean while comma you are ????? a viable resource period sum of us wood much rather retire than see our tail ends miss used by working as VR editors period to whom will you turn when this VR idea fails to pan out question mark period paragraph person alley what I have all ways enjoyed a bout transcription work is the actual typing comma the rhythm and flow comma inserting a punk situation mark here comma subtly colorectal sin tax there comma and turning a complete mismatch of a dictation in to a real double report period lets face it comma many doctors are complete idiots period the dictate the rung medications comma or the rite medications at potentially fetal doe sages period they mambo comma wrestle peppers comma talk to colleges comma eat comma bleach into the phone and make other bodily noises while they dictate period even naive English beakers often do not have the first idea of proper sentence structure or grammar period yet comma you expect olive us to clean up a VR mess for half the money we are making now question mark we think not explanation point paragraph so cut costs as you wish comma in one or 2 years when VR comes to our accounts parenthesis or before parenthesis we will have found something else to do comma and the profess shun will be pourer for the lost of all of us period have a nice stay explanation point
For those of you who aren't skilled transcriptionists (or are merely overwrought from dealing with this garbage on the job and are getting woozy at the prospect of having to waste your personal time on it, as well), here's the translation:
As an MT with 20 years’ experience, I was very distressed to learn that I will shortly be demoted from an MT to a VR “editor” making far less money than my training and years of experience deserve. You are, no doubt, counting on technology to eventually fix the bugs in your VR software. Meanwhile, you are jeopardizing a valuable resource. Some of us would much rather retire than see our talents misused by working as VR editors. To whom will you turn when this VR idea fails to pan out? Many of us believe it is time to retire or find another line of work.
Personally, what I have always enjoyed about transcription work is the actual typing, the rhythm and flow, inserting a punctuation mark here, subtly correcting syntax there, and turning a complete mishmash of a dictation into a readable report. Let’s face it, many doctors are complete idiots. They dictate the wrong medications, or the right ones at potentially fatal doses. They mumble, rustle papers, talk to colleagues, eat, belch into the phone and make other bodily noises while they dictate. Even native English speakers often do not have the first idea of proper sentence structure or grammar. Yet, you expect all of us to clean up a VR mess for half the money we are making now? We think not!
So, cut costs as you wish, in 1 or 2 years when VR comes to our accounts (or before) we will have found something else to do, and the profession will be poorer for the loss of all of us. Have a nice day!
To "so disappointed," the author of this masterpiece, I doff my hat to you. To the rest of the MTs out there who aren't at all happy at the prospect of being assimilated by this Borg, I'm afraid I don't see a solution because no one's ever bothered to ask for our input on the front end of this abomination. When clients start tearing their hair out and screaming about the sorry de-evolution of the medical record, we'll at least be able to say, "I told you so."