VR Quality....or lack thereof (sm) - U-MT

I have no problem with new technology.  I am often the first to buy a new electronic device or gadget. I was the first person in my little circle to get an iPhone, Slingbox, Wii and even a Magic Jack.  I bought all these devices with the knowledge that there would be bugs, installation problems and usage nuances, not to mention a learning curve of some sort on my part.  The transcription industry across the board has rushed to embrace VR technology with what seems like very little regard for these factors. 

The instructions for most speech recognition programs (including Dragon NS) clearly state that a high-quality microphone, the distance it is from ones mouth, background noise, etc., are all very important aspects of getting the program to work correctly and ensure adequate recognition.  Yet, most commercial VR platforms are used with physicians using standard dictation equipment (often just a standard telephone), no concern for how far the receiver is from away dictator's mouth and often abundant background noise.  Is there any wonder the quality of most commercial VR programs is so poor?

As a result of this rush by the industry to embrace a complex and still emerging technology, at sole sake of increasing profit margins, they are delivering a substandard product,  alienating the most qualified in the work force, increasing physician liability and, most importantly, jeopardizing the quality of patient care.  In the long run this practice is going to cost more money, and perhaps even lives, than it is every going to save. 

Time to get off the soap box and sit in front of the squre box now.  Thanks for listening.