When evaluating medical transcription software, there are a few features you need to have on your radar before you sign up.
The best software is:
- Super accurate: High-end software speaks fluent medical, understanding jargon and accents like a pro. This also applies to the options on this list that use humans — they use accredited medical professionals.
- Easy to integrate: Great software integrates with your EHR, billing pals, and scheduling software — bonus points for mobile compatibility.
- Time-saving: Automation is your friend. Macros, shortcuts, and templates? Yes, please! Some tools even auto-magically detect sections and apply the right style.
- Locked up tight: Patient privacy is sacred. We’ve only chosen software with strong security features like access control, encryption, and HIPAA compliance.
- Fairly priced: Pricing can vary from free options to monthly subscriptions. Compare models and plans to fit your needs and budget.
Now, let’s look at our roundup of the best software that fits these requirements.
The 9 best medical scribe software solutions
Before we get into it, we’ve chosen to do a spoiler section to give you a brief overview of the tools we’ll cover. Think of it as the TL;DR version.
They are:
- Lindy: Your AI medical transcriptionist and Swiss army knife, transforming dictations into accurate, HIPAA-compliant transcripts with a knack for your personal vocab and clinical nuances.
- Dragon Medical One: Tailored for healthcare pros, it turns your spoken reports into text, learning your voice patterns for better accuracy.
- ZyDoc Transcription: Offers a secure way to outsource transcription, with quick turnarounds and HIPAA compliance, all through an easy-to-use platform or phone-in system.
- TranscribeMe: Uses human transcribers for high-accuracy medical transcriptions, offering a straightforward, web-based platform for file uploads.
- Speechmatics: Leverages AI for up to 98% accuracy in medical transcription, featuring customizable templates and EHR integration for tech-forward healthcare settings.
- Dolbey: Merges human expertise with AI help for transcription, offering intuitive software with smart templates and secure, HIPAA-compliant operations.
- 3M*Modal: Delivers AI-assisted speech recognition software with features like auto-correction and EHR integration, plus human transcription services for specialized requirements.
- nVoq: Combines AI and machine learning for precise medical transcription, emphasizing customization and EHR compatibility for a seamless workflow.
- Voicebrook: Provides a cloud-based transcription platform that supports both AI and human transcription, catering to various healthcare provider needs with EHR integration.
What is medical transcription software?
Medical transcription software helps healthcare professionals by automatically converting audio files into text documents. Rather than manually typing up patient notes (bo-ring!), doctors and other clinicians can simply dictate them, and the software will transcribe their words into typed notes, letters, or reports.
With the help of medical transcription software, physicians and medical scribes can spend less time on admin work and more time with patients. These tools help streamline workflows, reduce costs, and improve the overall quality of care.
For any practice, medical transcription software is an important investment – and typically much more cost-effective than hiring human transcriptionists.
Our reviews of the top 9 medical scribe apps
Already know your needs and budget? Then, it’s time to explore some of the leading options for medical scribe software.
Here’s our rundown:
1) Lindy
Lindy isn't just an AI assistant; it's a 24/7 dedicated AI medical transcriptionist with over 99% accuracy and trained to your specific vocabulary and clinical needs.
Picture it: Dictating patient notes, consultations, or research findings and having them converted into accurate, HIPAA-compliant transcripts instantly without lifting a finger. That’s the life.
What can it do?
- Accurate: Transcribe patient interactions and research notes with high accuracy, understanding medical terminology and jargon.
- Ultra-personalized: Customize your own "Lindy Medical Scribe" to recognize your voice, dictation style, and preferred medical terms for maximum accuracy.
- HIPAA and PIPEDA compliance: Ensure patient data security with robust encryption and adherence to HIPAA — and also PIPEDA, for our friends up North. It is extra easy to integrate with your EHR, other medical software, and even other Lindy features seamlessly.
- Integration with other Lindy tools: Each tool can be combined with other Lindy tools to create powerful workflows. For example, you could use Lindy to transcribe a patient interaction, then use another Lindy tool to summarize the key points or generate a follow-up email automatically.
- Customizable workflows: You can create personalized workflows to automate other stuff beyond transcription, such as scheduling appointments, sending reminders, or updating patient records.
Who’s it for?
- Busy bees: Save time and focus on patient care by delegating transcription tasks to your personalized AI assistant.
- Clinicians: Improve documentation accuracy and efficiency, leading to better patient outcomes and reduced administrative burden.
- Researchers: Transcribe and review research interviews and findings quickly and accurately, accelerating your research process.
Pricing: You can get started with Lindy Medical Scribe for free.
2) Dragon Medical One
Dragon Medical One by Nuance Communications is a speech recognition software specifically designed for healthcare professionals.
The best part? It’s made specifically with medical terminology in mind and can even adapt to your voice patterns for improved accuracy.
Unique features
- Ambient voice technology: Dragon Medical One can capture and transcribe conversations happening around the provider, even if they're not directly dictating. This can be useful for capturing patient interactions or confusing multi-party discussions.
- AI-powered clinical documentation improvement (CDI): Dragon Medical One can go over your clinical documentation and suggest improvements to get more accuracy, completeness, and compliance with coding standards.
- Integration with Dragon Anywhere mobile app: This allows you to dictate and transcribe on the go, even when you're away from your computer. (Don’t do it while driving, though.)
Who's it for? Physicians, nurses, therapists, and other healthcare providers who want to save time and effort documenting patient encounters.
Pricing: Plans start at $99 per month.
3) ZyDoc Transcription
ZyDoc Transcription offers a convenient and secure way to outsource medical transcription and medical dictation needs. You can upload your dictation files or use their phone-in option to receive accurate transcripts within a quick turnaround time.
Unique features
- Guaranteed turnaround times: ZyDoc offers guaranteed 24/7 turnaround times for transcriptions, so you can be sure you'll get your documents back when you need them.
- Multi-specialty expertise: ZyDoc has a team of transcriptionists with expertise in quite a few medical specialties, so you know you’re getting accurate transcriptions.
Who's it for? Busy medical practices that need reliable and efficient transcription services without the hassle of managing in-house staff.
Pricing: You pay based on how much you need, starting at $0.14 per line.
4) TranscribeMe
TranscribeMe leverages a network of human transcribers to deliver accurate and affordable medical transcriptions.
Their platform is easy to use, and you can upload your audio files for secure transcription with a 12-hour turnaround time.
Unique features
- Global network of transcribers: TranscribeMe has a global network of transcribers, allowing them to offer transcription services in a lot of languages.
- Strict quality control: TranscribeMe has a pretty rigorous quality control process to ensure high accuracy and consistency in their transcriptions.
- API integration: TranscribeMe offers API integration, allowing you to connect their transcription services to your existing software and workflows.
Who's it for?: Cost-conscious healthcare providers who need occasional or variable transcription services.
Pricing: Starts at $0.79 per audio minute.
5) Speechmatics
Speechmatics brings the power of AI to your medical transcription needs. Their software has up to 98% accuracy and offers features like templates, macros, voice biometrics, and EHR integration.
Unique features
- Customizable language models: Speechmatics allows you to create custom language models trained on your specific vocabulary and terminology — a massive accuracy boost.
- Real-time transcription: Speechmatics offers real-time transcription capabilities, allowing you to see the text as you speak.
- Offline transcription: Speechmatics can even transcribe audio offline, making it ideal for situations where internet connectivity is limited or unavailable.
Who's it for? Tech-savvy healthcare organizations on the prowl for advanced and accurate transcription solutions.
Pricing: Pricing starts at $0.30 per hour.
6) Dolbey
Dolbey combines the strengths of human and AI-assisted transcription. Their software allows physicians to record and upload dictations through various methods, and features like voice navigation, text-to-speech, and smart templates enhance usability.
They also offer human transcription services for added assurance.
Unique features
- Fusion Speech EMDR: Dolbey's Fusion Speech EMDR is a cloud-based speech recognition solution that integrates directly with your EHR, allowing for seamless documentation and workflow optimization.
- Voice-enabled navigation: Dolbey's software allows you to navigate through your EHR and other applications using voice commands, freeing up your hands for other tasks.
- Automated formatting and editing: Dolbey's software can automatically format and edit your transcribed documents, ensuring consistency and accuracy.
Who's it for? Healthcare providers looking for a comprehensive and user-friendly transcription solution with both human and AI options.
Pricing: Contact the team for a quote.
7) 3M*Modal
3M*Modal provides AI-assisted speech recognition software for medical transcription. Their tech has nifty features like auto-correction and templates and also integrates with EHRs for efficient workflows.
Additionally, they offer human transcription services for specialized needs.
Unique features
- Fluency Direct: 3M*Modal's Fluency Direct is a cloud-based speech recognition solution that offers high accuracy and real-time feedback, allowing you to create documentation quickly and efficiently.
- Computer-assisted physician documentation (CAPD): 3M*Modal's CAPD solution helps physicians create more complete and accurate clinical documentation by providing real-time prompts and suggestions.
- Clinical analytics: 3M*Modal offers clinical analytics tools that can help you identify trends, patterns, and insights in your patient data.
Who's it for: Busy healthcare providers are looking for an accurate and efficient transcription solution with the option of human support.
Pricing: Contact the team for a quote.
8) nVoq
nVoq uses the best of AI and machine learning to transcribe medical speech with accuracy rates of up to 99%. Their software offers helpful features like voice navigation, macros, and EHR integration while also focusing on user customization for personalized workflows.
Unique features
- SayIt: nVoq's SayIt platform is a cloud-based speech recognition solution that offers personalized vocabulary and acoustic modeling — you get even more accuracy tailored to your voice.
- Speech-enabled automation: nVoq's software can automate quite a few tasks within your EHR and other applications by using your voice alone.
- Integration with Dragon Medical One: nVoq's software can be integrated with Dragon Medical One, combining the strengths of both platforms for a more comprehensive solution.
Who's it for? Healthcare organizations seeking highly accurate and customizable AI-powered transcription solutions.
Pricing: Contact the team for a quote.
9) Voicebrook
Voicebrook offers both AI-powered medical transcription software and human transcription services. Their cloud-based platform allows for convenient dictation, text summaries, and integration with various EHRs.
They also cater to varying physician volumes and needs with their flexible pricing structure.
Unique features
- VoiceOver: Voicebrook's VoiceOver software is a cloud-based speech recognition solution that offers customizable templates, macros, and voice commands for efficient and personalized dictation.
- Focus on specific medical specialties: Voicebrook offers specialized versions of its software tailored to specific medical specialties, such as radiology, pathology, and cardiology.
- Automated quality assurance: Voicebrook's software also gives you automated quality assurance tools that can help you identify and correct errors in your transcribed documents.
Who's it for? Healthcare providers seeking a flexible and accessible transcription solution with both AI and human options.
Pricing: Monthly subscription costs vary based on physician volume and needs.
FAQs
Do I need special training to use medical transcription software?
Not necessarily. While medical transcriptionists go through extensive training and certification, some transcription software is designed to be easy to use for non-professionals.
However, you'll still need to be familiar with medical terminology, anatomy, and procedures to transcribe audio accurately. Some software offers built-in medical dictionaries and references to help.
Can I use voice recognition?
Many medical transcription tools offer voice recognition or speech-to-text capabilities. This can speed up the transcription process, but voice recognition is not 100% accurate (even if it’s close), especially with medical terminology.
You'll still need to review and edit the transcription to ensure accuracy. Some tools allow you to train voice recognition to improve accuracy over time.
How much does medical transcription software cost?
Costs can vary significantly depending on the software features and options. Some tools are available for free or at a low monthly cost, while enterprise systems for large hospitals and clinics can cost thousands per month.
In general, you can expect to pay between $30 to $200 per month for a medical transcription solution for a small practice. Some software is available as a web-based subscription, while others require an upfront license fee.
Can I integrate medical transcription with my EHR and PM software?
Yes, many medical transcription tools offer integration with popular electronic health record (EHR) and practice management (PM) software like Epic, Cerner, Athenahealth, and Greenway.
Integration allows you to directly import transcribed reports into patient records in your EHR and billing systems. Some software also offers single sign-on so you can access the medical transcription and EHR systems with one login.
Summing up
It's plain to see that technology has completely transformed the medical transcription industry. While AI-powered solutions like Lindy are leading the charge, there’s still value in human medical scribes.
Now, it’s up to you to choose the best medical scribe for you: AI-based, human, or hybrid!
Explore AI-powered, HIPAA-compliant Medical Dictation with Lindy.
