A community of 30,000 US Transcriptionist serving Medical Transcription Industry

Questions About Expander Programs - Getting Mixed Messages

Posted: Aug 09, 2012

I get a different answer each time I ask someone about expander programs.

Does anyone use them?

Does everyone use them?

Are they compatible with the BIG MTSOs and their platforms?

Are they worth the time, effort, and money, or are they obsolete now with most of the platforms being used by the MTSOs?

Thanks for considering my question.

I don't think anyone can answer those questions - sm

[ In Reply To ..]
I've always believed that the only way to make any money in medical transcription is by using expanders. Since nobody else is responding, maybe I'm wrong. Maybe they aren't important anymore.

Expanders - kb

[ In Reply To ..]
Yes, I use expanders. I use Shortcut and Shorthand depending on which account I am typing on. I love them. They help a lot.

Did you get training on the job for them, or did you learn on your own? - nm

[ In Reply To ..]
nm

Expanders - mijamigramma55

[ In Reply To ..]
It is up to the MT to have the expander and "learn it." MTSOs do not provide expanders and a lot of times will suggest AutoCorrect in MS Word, which I find is too limiting. With ShortCut, I can put whole sections in and it has worked fine. However, it really does depend on the platform, because sometimes, the shortcut will not fully expand.

Love mt ShortCut - mijamigramma55

[ In Reply To ..]
Love my Shortcut, although when I got the new computer with Windows 7, it had to be "tweaked," by one of their techs, at Superior Global, (since they no longer support it). I have had Shortcut since the old PRD days and it's the only program I have found to be simple and user friendly.

oops -my even - mijamigramma55

[ In Reply To ..]
fingers and brain are not working together yet -- lol

Answers to your questions - MMK

[ In Reply To ..]

I get a different answer each time I ask someone about expander programs.

Here are some answers to your questions. It is not really surprising to get different answers. There are about 100,000 MTs in the labor market. Why would you expect the same answer?
Some started out on typewriters and still continue to work with a computer as if they were typewriters. Others know that you can do a lot more with a computer and are ready to learn new tools. When you know, you grow.

Does anyone use them?

The champions use expanders. They earn at least twice as much.

Does everyone use them?

Not everyone is a champion. But without an expander you cannot make any money in this field.

Are they compatible with the BIG MTSOs and their platforms?

Most of them are. You can try them out by dowloading them and find out by contacting the companies that make the expanders.

Are they worth the time, effort, and money, or are they obsolete now with most of the platforms being used by the MTSOs?

They are worth the time, effort, and money, if you want to make more money and spare your fingers. You may want to look for the best tool on the market, an expander that works all the time with all platforms. You don't want to depend on a platform for your shortcuts. When you change platforms, you still want to continue to use your shortcuts the same way as before, whether you do transcription or editing.

Thanks for the information! - nm

[ In Reply To ..]
nm

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