While dictation typically isn’t a favorite pastime for most people, the end-goal is always a top-quality transcript. That said, it’s important to remember that the accuracy and completeness of any transcribed document depend directly on the quality of the recorded audio file. To ensure that you get the highest quality transcripts possible, please be mindful of the following tips when recording your dictation:
- Know your recording device (use features like pause, delete and insert to make your recordings coherent).
- Dictate in a quiet area away from distractions and noise (avoid side conversations, eating, gum chewing, yawning).
- Avoid speaker phones and cell phones (these tend to make portions of recordings inaudible).
- Organize your data/thoughts before beginning dictation (press pause when you anticipate a long period of silence).
- Provide all necessary identifying information for your subject matter (name spellings, addresses, dates, etc.).
- Speak at a normal conversational pace and tone.
- Clearly enunciate/spell new, unfamiliar or easily-confused terms.
- Avoid the over-use of abbreviations (multiple abbreviations may be misinterpreted).
- Be sure to dictate all necessary information that corresponds with your template.
- Say “end of dictation” to make clear that you have finished your recording.