Who Is Responsible For What?

As work styles have been altered by the growing impact of computers, a great deal of confusion and ill will has been generated over who must assume responsibility for different parts of the dictation/transcription process.

If unnecessary tension exists between dictating physicians and medical transcriptionists, it is primarily due to poor communication. MTs constantly receive mixed messages about their work, with the rules changing from one shift to another.

On one hand, transcriptionists are told:

"If you can't understand what the doctor is saying, leave a blank space."

While, on the other hand, they're told:

"This is terrible! Look at all the blank spaces in this report!"

On one hand, transcriptionists are told:

"Don't try to play doctor or practice medicine."


While, on the other hand, they're told:

"You're supposed to correct things if they're wrong."

On one hand, transcriptionists are told:

"Be sure to point out any mistakes with a note to the doctor."

While, on the other hand, they're told:

"Don't do anything that will upset the doctors or make them angry."

These kinds of mixed messages have caused havoc in the field of health information management (especially when accompanied by changes in workstyles due to rapidly evolving technology). With more and more people telecommuting from remote locations, workstyles which may have once represented the standard way of getting the job done have become obsolete.

Let's examine a simple health information management issue -- accessing information in the patient's chart -- to see how dramatically things have changed in recent years.

Next: Changing Work Styles

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