Medical Transcription Philippines

The Internet Cafe Association of Cebu (ICAC), a group of Internet cafe operators in the province, is considering plans to capitalize on the growing number of online gamers as potential medical transcriptionists.

ICAC President Felix Cogal said some medical transcription training centers have considered tapping Internet cafes to become an “extended laboratory” for medical transcription students.

“The market has recognized the growth potential of medical transcription and Internet cafes can complement their needs by becoming an extended laboratory for their students. For start-up companies, it helps reduce operations cost since they can rent the cafe for a given time,” Cogal explained.

He added that cyber cafe operators may also invest in additional “foot pedals” or controls further enhancing tutorials on medical transcription.

Although such tutorials are meant for medical transcription students, Cogal said online gamers may also take advantage of the software, learn the modules and participate in the exercises.

“This will slowly convert online gamers into becoming medical transcriptionists,” said Cogal, adding that because online exams are monitored, those who perform better have bigger chances of getting hired speedily.

Due to limited manpower, medical transcription training centers are tapping Internet cafes and the academe to attract more Filipinos to become transcriptionists.

In order to fast track the plan, Cogal said the ICAC will propose the idea to other medical transcription companies so as to create an industry demand.

Medical transcription and contact centers are two of the business process outsourcing (BPO) services in demand in Cebu. It is one of the growing outsourced services of United States-based hospitals and healthcare institutions, and is an industry known to provide competitive salaries to its employees.

A medical transcriptionist is tasked in transcribing the diagnoses of doctors or a patient’s medical records.

Cogal is optimistic online gamers can easily adopt the skills of a medical transcriptionist. However, he said having a background in the medical profession is a huge advantage.

“Based on the presentation, you only need to be well-versed in the English language, and have good typing speed and comprehension,” he said, adding that even high school graduates are qualified to take the tutorial.

“This thing is good for the younger generation as it is fun, since it follows an online game concept, as well as educational. It also gives interested young people a bigger chance to land a job,” he said.

Coga also underlined that the plan will lead to an increase in revenues among Internet cafes.

source: www.mb.com.ph