An educational program in medical transcription should prepare the student for entry-level employment, as a medical transcriptionist, by providing the basic knowledge and skills required for transcribing healthcare dictation.

It is recommended that a selected medical transcription training program...
- be based on The Model Curriculum for Medical Transcription, 2nd edition, published by AAMT.
- include a minimum of 400 hrs of theory classes & 600 hrs of practical sessions with live dictation � a total of 1000 hrs, and is delivered over a period of six months for regular batches.
- include the following elements in its syllabi:

1. English Language

� Applied English Usage - correct English usage, applying the rules of proper grammar, punctuation, and style, and using correct spelling and logical sentence structure.

2. Medical Knowledge

� Fundamentals of Medical Language - medical language and its structure, including prefixes, suffixes, combining forms, root words, plurals, abbreviations, acronyms, eponyms, homonyms, antonyms, synonyms, and commonly used foreign words and phrases.
� Medical Terminology - recognize, pronounce, spell, define, and understand medical terminology related to anatomy, physiology, general medicine, general surgery, medical specialties, surgical specialties, diagnostic and interventional procedures, pathology and laboratory medicine, health and wellness, imaging techniques, medications, and alternative or complementary medicine.
� Anatomy and Physiology - knowledge of human anatomy (gross and microscopic) and physiology.
� Pharmacology and Laboratory Medicine
- common tests used in pathology and laboratory medicine, including diagnostic indications, techniques, expression of values, and significance of findings.
- recognize, pronounce, spell, define, and understand pharmacological terminology.
- drug classifications, indications, contraindications, actions, interactions, side effects, forms, dosages, and routes of administration.
� Disease Processes I and II
- the etiology and pathology of diseases.
- clinical medicine, including diagnosis and treatment of common diseases and conditions.
� Advanced Medical Language
- surgical procedures and other diagnostic and interventional treatment modalities, including anesthesia types and techniques, surgical techniques, equipment, instruments, and accessories, as well as typical findings and related diagnoses.
- procedures, techniques, and findings in diagnostic and interventional imaging.
- research techniques and be able to identify current trends, advancements, and developments in medicine.

3. Technology

� Fundamentals of Technology
- word processing, computers, dictation and transcription equipment, and related technologies.
- operate designated dictation and transcription equipment and use designated word processing programs and related technologies.
� Advanced Technology
- trends and developments in technologies related to healthcare documentation.
- use electronic references and other resources for research and practice.

4. Healthcare Documentation

� Healthcare Records
- the purpose and content of the healthcare record (paper and electronic).
- the content and format of healthcare documents (paper and electronic).
- knowledge of standards and regulations related to healthcare documentation as set by US healthcare authorities.
� Medicolegal Concepts and Ethics
- the medicolegal aspects of the healthcare record (e.g., confidentiality, privacy) and the medical transcriptionist's role in risk management.
- understanding and application of ethics in the medical transcription profession.

5. Professional Practice

� Fundamentals of Medical Transcription
- demonstrate the ability to proofread and correct transcribed healthcare documents.
- recognize, evaluate, and interpret inconsistencies, discrepancies, and inaccuracies in healthcare dictation and appropriately edit, revise, and clarify them while transcribing, without altering the meaning of the dictation or changing the author's style.
� Medical Transcription Practicum
- meet progressively demanding medical transcription accuracy and productivity standards.
- demonstrate an awareness of the functions, operations, and dynamics of medical transcription work environments.
- demonstrate professionalism in the workplace.
- demonstrate an awareness of the opportunities in medical transcription and related careers and the importance of professional development.