This site lists expanders, tells a bit about what each of them does and what they work with, and gives links to the suppliers' pages --

http://home.earthlink.net/~agjon/list.htm

I use Shorthand and love it. It doesn't have all the features of Instant Text, but because of the transcription program I use I needed something that doesn't take up a lot of memory or disc space. In my next incarnation, I would love to try IT.

Incidentally, in Shorthand as well as in IT, you can have different dictionaries for different specialities or even for different docs.

This site will give you some ideas about creating your abbreviations so that you can "remember" them without thinking too much. I have several thousand, and have no problems.

http://home.earthlink.net/~agjon/abczrule.htm

HTH

I think the key to using word expansion programs is naming them so that you don't have to "memorize" them.

Name them in a way that fits your way of thinking.

Personally - I usually try and take the first 3 or 4 key main words of a phrase, sentence, etc.

For example: I would type "The patient tolerated the procedure well." as... "ptp"

I try to use main words (not "the's" "a's" etc..) and keep my abbreviations short (3 letters as much as possible).

------------ I have several hundred - and have never memorized them. I just know what I would have named them. ....

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I name my addresses starting with an "a" for address. Then I add the first four letters of the doctor's last name (There is no way I can remember doctor's first names -- I have over 300 addresses).

Example: Dr. John Walker would be "awalk"

If there is another doctor whose last name starts with "walk" ==== it would be "awalk2" and I might have an "awalk3".

But - with other than very common last names, this rarely happens. I have used this for more than 15 years with hundreds of doctors - works like a charm for me.

--

I can't see that it would matter how many specialities you work for. You still find yourself typing the same phrases over and over again. If you do - make an abbreviation for them.

This includes any phrases - or anything that you type often.

You would be surprised after a while how little you have to memorize....not much...

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The key is - have a system with the way you name things --- and be consistent...

There could well be some trial and error for a while - you may be doing some re-doing and deleting at first - but it will all come together.

-----

Another thing you can do - if you want some phrases to be "gender-specific." Type an abbreviation with an "f" or "m" on the end - for male or female.

There are a lot of little tricks you can come up with. Be creative.

I know everyone out there has a lot of ideas - things that work for them. Make up your own abbreviations as much as possible. Everyone's mind works differently.

Good luck!!!

Melissa,

You may want to try using some of the free built-in features of MS Word or WordPerfect for Windows to get a feel for the whole word expansion idea. MS Word has "Autocorrect" and WP has "Quick Correct." Both these features will allow you to replace one word with another. MS Word has the advantage of also being able to add attributes like italics or bold to the replacement word.

I have used WP's Quick Correct feature since its introduction in version 6.1. Here are a few samples of how I use abbreviations for the word examination:

exn = examination
exg = examining
exd = examined

exdw = examined with
oexn = on examination
iexg = in examining
iexgw = in examining with
oexnw = on examination with

That's a very small sample of some of the "rules" I set for abbreviations. Of course, like every language, there are tons of exceptions. The problem with my system is that each abbreviation has to be added manually. Many of the new systems come with many abbreviations already done. As Carol states, and I wholeheartedly agree, it is a good idea to use a system that makes sense to you and then you are more likely to remember the abbreviations.

I have checked out a number of expanders and they all deliver as promised. I wouldn't spend a lot of money on any of them unless you need a particular program because it offers conversion from another system so you can keep abbreviations you are using.

Why not give it a try? I think you'll surprise yourself with how many you remember, especially when transcribing and using them in context.

Hi - to answer an earlier question, I think I got the free downloads of shorthand and medbrain from the earthlink address posted in CMTs previous note.
Happy day!
Amy

Amy,

What did you think about Medbrain?

MOM3

Thank you everybody for the information on word expanders. I think I understand it much better now. I have decided that for now I will use my AutoCorrect function to the fullest. I spent some time, first deleting anything that I wasn't using in the AutoCorrect and then adding things that I use a lot. For instance, everytime I typed a brand name drug, I added that so that I don't have to capitalize when transcribing. Also, long words, such as hydrochlorothiazide I abbreviated to "hyd" and so on. Also, I put in some paragraphs (I found I could use up to almost 50 words) for some of the dictators. For example, some dictators that always close with the same sentence, I put that in under the dictators initials. Anyway, it seemed to take a little while adding all my shortcuts but I soon found that it really cut down on my keystrokes. So, thanks again for all the help.
Melissa

If you are the only one using "autocorrect" on your computer - it is great and will perform miracles for you.

My problem was that I had to share "autocorrect" with another transcriptionist at work --didn't work out too well.

So now - I use my Instant Text and she is using "autocorrect."

Carol Jean,

Now that you have used Instant Text for a few weeks now are you finding that it is a lot better than the Autotext and Autocorrect if you are the only one using it?

MOM3