Do doctors still use medical transcriptionists? There are still a few private practice family doctors that choose not to use a medical transcriptionist however, preferring to keep their patient's records in a handwritten format. Due to the sheer volume of patients and paperwork, hospitals often prefer electronic storage of their medical records.Are medical transcriptionists still needed? The medical transcription industry is still growing. New technologies have changed the way transcription is done and have also limited its growth however, there is still a need for medical transcriptionists and editors.Is medical transcription cost effective? Medical transcription can be viewed as either an unnecessary expense in a physician's practice, or as a cost-effective tool for helping to manage a physician's time. On average, people can write approximately 30 words a minute, type 45 words a minute and speak 150 words a minute.How does medical transcription work? Medical transcription is the way a physician clearly communicates to other healthcare providers, advising them on the state of a patient's health and treatment, ensuring continuity of care. After a health practitioner performs a procedure on a patient, they will use a voice-recording device to record the information about the patient encounter.