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We are interested in getting a speech recognition software program such as Dragon Naturally Speaking. Does anyone have experience with using this or any other speech recognition program in your practice? Which version do you recommend? Can you add terminology and codes to the program's dictionary and if so, how difficult is it to do? Is it necessary or desirable to buy the top end version of the program?
Thanks for all suggestions - Aidan

From another site, please keep in mind its American,

regards Stuart

RE: Voice Recognition Software (Tom DeBenedictis, DPM)
From: Nat Chotechuang, DPM, Brian Homer, DPM

I had been considering buying the $1,200 Dragon medical version for a while, but I recently ran across the basic Dragon v.10 on sale at an Office Max for $39. I bought it figuring that if it was not adequate, then I was only out a couple of twenties. Lo and behold, it was compatible with my EMR and it already had numerous medication names loaded in the vocabulary, and with minimum of training, has adapted to my speech. It’s the best $39 I've ever spent! I'd suggest trying the basic v.10, just in case it works with your EMR. If it does not, then you can load it on your home computers and use it for e-mail, web surfing, etc.

Nat Chotechuang, DPM, Bend, OR, natchot@hotmai.com

I have been using Dragon Medical since 1999. All of the advice previously provided is very accurate. I would absolutely start off with DNS Medical v10. I also use a modified Sennheiser headset and an Andrea pod.

I would also highly suggest the following website: knowbrainer.com. The owner, Lunis, is an expert at voice recognition software and their customer service is superb. They sell everything you will need to get started. They also offer an add-on software program to Dragon which has additional command shortcuts. Knowbrainer.com also offers a blog where other members are more than willing to help from the simple common problems to actually writing voice command scripts...at no charge!

I have no affiliation with either company...I'm just a satisfied customer.

Brian Homer, DPM, Clawson, MI, drbhomer@gmail.com

Thanks to all of you for your help!

Hello Aidan,
I purchased the Standard V9 last year from ebay for $50. I'm currently studying & very slow at typing & agree it's money well spent. I wasn't sure how it would cope with medical terminology, but there are already quite a few words in it, plus you can add more as required. I think it would be perfectly adequate to dictate referrral letters, etc. You do need to spend a bit of time "training" it, but the more you use it, the faster it gets. There is a higher level model that allows you to record your voice , then connect it up & it can type while you are out of the room. The medical one is quite expensive, so I'd give the lower grade ones a go first. Some of the older versions (pre v.9) won't work on Vista, so check compatibility first.
One of my Uni classmates tells me her brother helped develop it - great Australian invention!
Cheers,
Kara.