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AAMT BOS - MT2020

Posted: Jul 22, 2010

After failing a test for a PT gig, I pulled out the old BOS 2 (don't have 3) and I am surprised at some of the things it is "requiring". Like, for instance, never hypenate words that will separate them at the end of a sentence. Now, I don't know about you, but what I type in, and what the final report looks like are completely different, so, how am I to know it will actually fall at the end of a line. Another thing, all these dang rules, when most accounts are verbatim makes no sense at all to me. And for the companies to use this BOS as a guide for testing is ludicrous (sp) to me. Aghhhhhh....guess I am just frustrated. I really wanted to get in with that company, and thought I did really well. I just hated getting that email saying "based on the results of the written test, you do not qualify to move forward to the transcription portion of the testing process at this time." CRAP!

BOS, version 1, 2, or 3, or 4, are all garbage. They were written by these - Just a clue

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"professionals" who have assigned themselves fancy titles with more initials after their names that the best neurosurgeons or heart surgeons, just because they are truly inadequate people who need to try to boost their egos. The "rules" they put in there are ignored by most places, especially that last one of no periods after Mr Dr Ms Mrs, etc.

All it is is a way for them to generate money so the officials can stay in their $400+ a night rooms for conventions, nothing more.

I will never forget how the one man who is high up in this stupid organization admitted that he had only had 1 year of experience in doing clinic transcripion notes and was tutored at home by his wife so he passed the test and became certified immediately. Also, I remember the days when all you had to do to get certified was to have your supervisor sign a letter stating you had 3 years of experience, send in $100 and you were certified. No test, no mess, no fuss. Those letters are certainly not the paper they are printed on and that book is worth even less.

AGREE - OLD MT

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My accounts for the past 16 years have been verbatim and ESL docs - when I took the CMT test I failed the transcription test because I didn't follow all the BOS CRAP! I can see some of it - but lord they rewrote everything I learned 30+ years ago and I don't use it on a day to day basis. So what is the point!!

AAMT BOS - MT2020

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Oh it burned me up so bad. Then to add insult to injury the email states:

"The multiple choice, grammar, punctuation, and proofreading portions are derived from the AHDI Book of Style Vol 3. If you do not already own it you may find it a helpful tool."

and

"On average, only one of every ten applicants passes our test."

Gee.... I wonder why!!!

@!$%#%@#$%@#$%@#%$!!@^$%&^#@#$%@$%

You should email them back and tell them exactly - where they can put their test, & the BOS!-nm

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AAMT BOS - Carol

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Oh my gosh! I just got this same email from this knucklehead two days ago! I have to admit it hurt my feelings too!

Do the docs all learn the BOS so they can tell if - their reports are "correct?" Dont think so!

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I'm sure most MTSO higher-ups don't know what's in the BOS, either. Think aboutit - the only ones who think it is the MT Bible, are the QA people (many of whom couldn't write a simple business letter on their own if their lives depended on it), and the actual writers of the BOS themselves. The BOS writers seem to think they are so important and so all-knowing, that it gives them free license to change the correctly-written English language into something they make up. And it's all for only one purpose -- to make them extremely wealthy. Other than a few very minor dangerous abbreviations, which most of us knew about long before AAMT/AHDI was a glimmer in some greedy businessperson's eye, BOS doesn't affect patient care one iota. The MTSOs who blindly accept the BOS scam are sheep.

It's called consistency - LK

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So what version of rules do you use, the rules according to you? I guess I'm just a sheep, but I like having something that sets a consistent standard for style. When I was in college and wrote research papers, we were required to use the MLA book of style, and it's still used today. Nothing odd about the concept of a style guide for the sake of consistency. Personally, I like having a reference guide at hand. I don't really like to make it up as I go or just do it the way I've done it for decades because I've always done it that way. If my employer wants me to use the BOS, I'll gladly use it. If a client wants their own variation, that's fine too. But in the absence of specific directions otherwise from the client, it's the BOS for me. I agree, it can be irritating that they keep changing it, but hey, that's life.

But as you pointed out - sm

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You're using the same MLA book of style you used in college. If there was a BOS style guide...period...I don't think most would have qualms with it. It is the fact that they update it every couple of years at a price of hundreds with changes that have no impact other than on the purchasers wallets.

All style guides change - LK

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The MLA book of style has also has been revised a number of times. Language changes all the time, so any style guide needs to change to reflect current usage. I think the main question here is whether the BOS needs to be updated as much as it is and whether the purpose of all the updating is to line somebody's pocket. I don't know the answer to that.

So does taking the period out of "Mrs" or "Mr" - affect patient care? No. -sm

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Does it make the report more readable? Heck, no.

As for consistency, why would hospitals that allow each doc to make up his own nitpicky little rules for his reports, care about consistency or correctness?

The same goes for the MTSO's that allow that cr@p to happen. If they REALLY wanted consistency, they would offer a simple, easy to read, block format, and remind the clients that they have OUTSOURCED THE WORK. So in the interest of properly transcribed and timely turnaround, maybe they're going to have to live with a period after "Dr" once in a while.

All I can say about these people is,
"Baaaahhhhh! Baaaahhhhh!"

OK. Well, please enlighten me - MT2020

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What's the big difference between 2 and 3, hmmmm? Why all of a sudden do I need a version 3? Are there like, a hundred different things in there that now all of a sudden we all need to know? How dare that recruiter tell me
"if I don't own one I should get one". Those things are not cheap, okay? But please, tell me, what is in this ilustrous Version 3 that we all need to know? Please. Thanks!

I don't know because I don't have it either! - LK

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I totally understand what you're saying! I'd like to know why they have to be so expensive, for one thing. It's just a book, for crying out loud, and it costs a small fortune! I use my BOS 2, and I'd probably be in the same boat as you if I went to take a test right now. I'm not putting out that much money for version 3.

I think that's the issue when it really comes to AHDI, or AAMT, whatever. - MT2020

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I mean, for me to be turned down for a job because I didn't have this book? That is so bogus. Give me the job, and train me to the way the client wants it. And lets move on. I guess I just have a problem with all the different tests. I'm almost insulted when they ask me to do it.

All they would have to do is have the online - version, and just burn CDs for their MTs.

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Baaaahhh! Sheep.

Two over three - bos

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I've talked to a few companies who are all using 2nd edition and say the 3rd edition is worthless.

I do agree we need to have some sort of conformity, even if some of the things seem trivial.

I never got a BOS. When asked if I have one, - I just tell those losers "Yes." nm

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My MT Instructor said - earlymusicus

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that it is now much easier to find the information you need in the 3rd edition, than it was in the earlier editions. I can't say for myself, because I only have the 3rd edition and it's the only one I've ever looked at.

With the many rule changes, I wouldnt call it consistency - I would call it "dumbing-down". nm

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Consistency - I agree - jeannieb

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I agree with LK 100%. There has to be a standard. The fact that some people don't like the changes doesn't mean that they aren't important. No, most of the BOS changes don't improve patient care, but for new MTs, there has to be a guide of some sort. Also, some changes are made for speed. I understand that some of the standards are a bit odd, but someone has to decide what standards to use.

I agree! Well stated. - KYMT

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With the advent of EMR and hopefully a time when our medical records from various sources will be integrated and quickly accessible, it is important that a record from Hospital X be formatted in the same manner as a record from Hospital Y or Clinic Z. It will cut down on errors and will enhance patient safety. I'm all for an industry standard set by the BOS.

Incidentally, I'm in support of required credentialing for our profession. But that's a whole other post.

The docs pay us to know. - jeannieb

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We are supposed to be professionals who know the standards. A doctor doesn't have have to learn the rules, but we should know them.

I agree and (sm) - Long time MT

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Their big national convention is coming up in August. In the past, they have had high numbers attend, sometimes over 1000, but this year it's less than 300. The organization is fading fast and they are just not catching a clue - yet!

Well I certainly hope not. They just need to be revamped to truly be for the MT. - MT2020

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I do believe an organization such as this can be of benefit to us, but they need to be revamped to truly be a help for the MT, and not a hindrance! I mean really, I can't type on your accounts because I don't know where the AAMT BOS wants the hyphen??? Excuse me. I am the best choice for the job, if you are too stupid to realize that, your loss not mine. Whew! Thanks guys, I needed to vent on this issue. Can you tell? Ahhhh, I feel so much better now.

AHDI needs far more than "revamping", its a freaking - VIRUS that needs to be exterminated.

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The only people going to those things anymore - are likely just management.

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I think most MTs have wisened up by now. Also, I mean REALLY! Most MTs making the wages THEY so "thoughtfully" imposed upon us, can't afford to even take the time off to go, let alone pay for the meeting, the gas or plane ticket, lodging, etc.

If I had PTO coming, and could afford to go somewhere, I would rather go ANYWHERE than to some stuffy event put on by the very people who have so royally screwed all of us. Standing in line at the D.M.V. would be more fun, interesting, and worth my time.

AHDI BOS - earlymusicus

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In my MT program, we were required to purchase the 3rd edition of the BOS because we had periodic quizzes on it. For my RMT study group, I bought the BOS Workbook. It's a thin book costing $50 if a nonmember of AHDI, $35 if a member. My friend had the workbook for the 2nd edition of the BOS and it was far bigger because for each chapter, it included the relevant chapter from the BOS, whereas the new workbook doesn't - for each chapter, you have to look up the information in the BOS, then go back to the workbook and do the exercises, which is annoying. But I guess it's a way to get students to buy two books, instead of just one. As to its usefulness for the RMT exam, I can't say as I haven't yet taken the exam.

AAMT Support... Are you kidding? - Dewglo

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After they contacted me by letter requesting me to pay $8000 per person to travel to China to teach the Chinese MTs how do steal our dictation away from the US, I said enough is enough. I would rather be a card carrying communist than to be a member of the AAMT or whatever the stupid new name of the group is. The BOS is ridiculous and just like others have said - a money maker to grease their palms in order to steal your jobs away. Don't participate in anything they do. They think so highly of themselves and some of what is in the BOS (any editions) is contrary to grammar rules using common sense. Stay far, far away from these goons.

Alright! Well Said. - MT2020 - n/m

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xxx

BOS, My opinion - MT

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My renewed opinion of the BOS, version 2 or 3, is this: Any company, be it a medical facility or an MTSO, that leans heavily on the BOS with regards to scoring of an MT's perfection level, especially those that require no perfection from the speaking dictators, is likely a company run by persons who do not have an accurate grasp of English usage and cannot think for themselves.

The BOS is full of errors regarding common English usage. Furthermore, most dictating clinicians do not dictate in full sentences, and do not use correct sentence structure. Many of them make up their own words. This practice is regarded as acceptable by some of the same ones who depend so heavily on the BOS. So, what's the use of worrying about grammar rules if the dictating clinicians can make up their own as they go along? It doesn't make any sense to me. Also, depending on who is interpreting the BOS, there may be as many differing opinions as there are persons interpreting the rule.

I recently read a book that was originally written in 1881. Even though such words as tomorrow, today, upstairs were written as to-morrow, to-day, up-stairs, with hyphens, I was perfectly able to understand what was meant. Also, even though we are told to not use contractions in the medical record, a recent writing course indicated that contractions such as don't and can't are easier for the eye to read and recognize than "do not" or "cannot", while the non contractions are easily missed and read as positives.
It was a course about writing for the online/internet world, and suggested that we should always use contractions.

I don't think that the medical persons reading a report could care less whether or not hyphens are used, but what about those words made up by the dictators, or the sentence where the verb is in there somewhere, along with a subject, but kind of like in salad format. What doesn't ADHI, or whoever they are, address the issue of developing a QA system or a BOS for dictators? Why? Probably because it would not sell.

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