I recently upgraded my medical voice recognition software to a new version. I have been using this software for over five years now, and have been quite satisfied with it, although older versions could be maddening at times — and hilarious at others. This new version is considerably more accurate, but my main complaint since upgrading is, I’m not having nearly as much fun proofreading my notes as I have in the past.
Voice recognition software is rather remarkable technology, and to watch the medical version crank out complex terms with aplomb is almost magical. The software does not make spelling errors, but contextual errors are relatively common, and need to be carefully screened before sending your documents out the door.
A few of the rendering swaps I have encountered in the past are:
What I said: The patient said Viagra wasn’t working, and wanted to try Cialis.
What it typed: The patient said Viagra wasn’t working, and wanted to try and see Alice.
[ I’ve heard she doesn’t require a referral… ]
What I said: The patient was thoroughly reevaluated by her previous physician.
What it typed: The patient was thoroughly violated by her previous physician.
[ Is there someone I should notify? ]
What I said: The patient will be started on depot testosterone.
What it typed: The patient will be started on devil testosterone.
[ Toxic masculinity, don’t cha’ know! ]
What it typed: The patient had pureed pubic hair oranges.
[ Yuck!! No more orange smoothies for me! ]
The accuracy of this upgraded version has made such — ahem! — interesting errors quite a bit less common, to the point where I was becoming a bit complacent about careful proofreading. That is, until today:
What it typed: The patient was seen several years ago for problems of urge incontinence, and has been on a troll with good symptom relief.
[ And you thought they only lived under bridges… ]
Perhaps I should have someone else check my proofreading…
