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There are two things in particular a Medical Transcriptionist is most known for. Those are:

*A love of words
*Their use of medical references

Unlike many years ago, today there are volumes of excellent reference books and software available for the Medical Transcriptionist, most of which can easily be found online, in software and in print. Some of the medical reference materials include:

*Medical dictionaries
*Medical specialty word and phrase references
*Medical abbreviation references
*Medical style manuals

Each of these references fulfills a particular need for the Medical Transcriptionist. The medical dictionary provides definitions to know the difference between similar-sounding words. Medical dictionaries do not contain many of the specialty words, abbreviations, and surgical instruments.

Medical specialty word and phrase references contain terms from one medical specialty and include slang, surgical instruments, drugs, new and unusual terms, abbreviations, and laboratory tests for that particular specialty.

Medical abbreviation references contain common and unusual abbreviations and their definitions from all medical specialties.

Medical style manuals offer suggestions on how to format reports, punctuation, grammar and spelling medical reports.

A regular *word* dictionary is also a must and a staple of the Medical Transcriptionist's library of reference materials. Physicians often have an extensive vocabulary and will dictate English words that are new to the Medical Transcriptionist.

The following is a list of medical references that should form the basics of a library for Medical Transcription students and practitioners:

*Dorland's Illustrated Medical Dictionary
*Stedman's Illustrated Medical Dictionary
*Current Medical Terminology
*The Medical Word Book
*Medical Phrase Index
*Word and phrase reference books published by Health Professions Institute in the specialties of Cardiology, Gastroenterology, Orthopedics/Neurology, Pathology, Psychiatry, and Radiology
*A standard English dictionary such as Webster's New Collegiate Dictionary
*American Drug Index
*Physicians* Desk Reference
*Saunders Pharmaceutical Word Book

If Medical Transcriptionists get stumped on a drug question and cannot locate the answer in her library of reference books, he or she can always seek help from a pharmacist. Pharmacists often have a wealth of information they rarely ever use and most are glad to help a Medical Transcriptionists with questions about drugs.

A Medical Transcriptionist or student should never be without up-to-date reference sources. Regardless of how much I find online or in software, I still like a shelf of books in print.

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* 2007 Connie Limon All Rights Reserved