Several months ago, I upgraded my voice recognition software to Dragon NaturallySpeaking version 8. I have been using voice recognition software for over five years now, and have been very satisfied with it, although older versions could be maddening at times–and hilarious at others. This version is amazingly accurate–my only complaint since upgrading is that I am not having nearly as much fun proofreading my notes as I have 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 contextual swaps I have encountered are as follows:
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.
What I said: The patient was thoroughly reevaluated by her previous physician.
What it typed: The patient was thoroughly violated by her previous physician.
What I said: The patient will be started on depot testosterone.
What it typed: The patient will be started on devil testosterone.
What I said: The patient has prepubertal pubic hair changes.
What it typed: The patient had puréed pubic hair oranges.
The accuracy of this latest 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 I said: The patient was seen several years ago for problems of urge incontinence, and has been on Detrol with good symptom relief.
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 spent their entire lives living under bridges…
3 comments so far ↓
Chris Quan // Aug 12, 2005 at 9:06 am
Dr. Bob,
First of all, I am a big Mac fan. I’m a networking professional and an Apple certified technician. I’m glad to have found your blog.
I just went to see a Urologist yesterday. My physician told me I have Kidney Stone and an infection. I took Levaquin for 11 days. I have been well since. I have no problems since. I’m a healthy person. I jog daily, hike, backpack, ski and go to the outdoors quite a bit.
He (the Urologist) told me I should let him inserted a camera to check for any infection. I mentioned that Ultrasound is not enough. I just wonder of the camera is absolutely needed? Don’t have I several choices like CT Scan and UTS?
So I’m going to go for UTS the week after next week. For the mean time, I’m tempting to try natural solution (I already quit/limit what I eat found from
. )
What do you think about this Kidney Stone Dissolving Kits? it’s at
Thank you.
Chris
Chris Quan // Aug 12, 2005 at 9:07 am
The kit is at www.healmarketplace.com/herbs/Stone-Disolve.html
The other link is at www.nwkidney.org/yourhealth/kidneystones/prevention.html
Layla // Aug 12, 2005 at 1:40 pm
Hey Dr. Bob, Glad I found your blog today! I’ll be back to read more.