Frequently Asked Questions about
Dragon Naturallyspeaking
Q) Doesn’t Dragon promote the fact that you don’t need training for this software?
A) No, what Dragon says is that the software does need any training. You, the user, still need to learn how to use the program correctly. In older revisions of Dragon, the software required hours of extensive voice training from the user in order to properly recognize words and function. The new revision does not require the user to do this in order to start to use the product, although accuracy will improve over time as it learns to recognize the speech patterns and nuances of the user.
A) In most cases, yes you can, as long as you are using the same product (IE: Legal to Legal, Medical to Medical, Professional to Professional etc. Please contact us directly for specific information on Dragon NaturallySpeaking upgrades.
Q) I have a basic (non-specialized standard or preferred) copy of Dragon and I really need the advanced features of the Professional series. Can I upgrade to the Medical, Legal or Professional versions to take advantage of the features, contextual engine and vocabulary upgrades that they provide?
A) In some instances, yes. Please contact us directly so that we can determine if you have a version that is able to be upgraded or not.
Q) I work from home and my office, is there a way I can use Dragon without having to train it on both computers?
A) Yes. Dragon not only supports backing up your user files to a flash (USB) drive, it also supports LAN based roaming profiles, and even WebDAV. Citrix support is available for Medical, but not the Small Practice Edition.
Q) Just how slow do I have to talk for Dragon to recognize what I'm saying?
A) Dragon can transcribe as fast as you can speak clearly. Most people speak at a rate of about 120 words per minute, and Dragon has no problem accurately transcribing those who speak faster, so long as the words are annunciated well
Q) I have a lot of forms that I use, and some templates. Usually, I just copy & paste, then fill in the blanks. This takes me only a minute or two. Can Dragon do that?
A) With built-in macro tools, templates, forms, and repetitive tasks are no problem for Dragon. With the Advanced Scripting language, you can create custom commands that are virtually limitless in their capability! Of course, Dragon can also perform simple copy & paste tasks.
Q) If I were to get the Preferred version of Dragon from the store, could I enter the vocabulary I use in my practice to simulate the Medical version?
A) No. Dragon uses a context matrix to 'figure out' what you are saying when you speak in a tone or speed that isn't exactly the same as you sound when Dragon is first learning how you talk. Being human, our speech patterns vary from day to day, even minute to minute. Dragon determines what you are saying by putting it into context with common, and sometimes uncommon phrases. It is, in a nutshell, how it differentiates between "I scream" and "Ice cream".
Q) I'm used to using a dictation service. How many commands do I have to learn?
A) Dragon was designed with ease-of-use as a priority. That being said, commands are labeled in the same manner you would think to say them. Saying something like, "New Paragraph" will give you a fresh paragraph to dictate to. Other commands, such as for manipulating text are just as natural.
Dragon NaturallySpeaking
Q) It’s too hard to learn
A) Really, it’s not. If you can use a PC and you can speak, then you can learn to how use Dragon correctly.
Q) I don’t have the time.
A) That’s the whole point isn’t it? If you keep doing what you’ve always done, you’ll keep getting the results you’ve always gotten. Dragon allows you to work faster, freeing up more time for you, once you invest the initial time to learn how to use it correctly.
Q) I have friends that tried it, and it doesn’t work
A) I’m sure you also have friends that cannot use MS Excel or MS PowerPoint very well either. That doesn’t mean that the product does not work, or that your friends couldn’t learn to use it wit ht proper training. What revision do they have? How much training did they receive? Do they have even the correct product for their needs, or were they trying to use a generic version of Dragon for a specialized application?
Q) It’s too expensive
A) Let’s think about this for a moment. Dragon will allow you to work faster, so you have more time. And since we all know that time = money, if you are operating your business correctly, you should make more money. Or you will have more leisure time, a commodity which may be even more precious to you.
Q) Why can’t I use a cheaper version?
A) Certainly you could use a screwdriver or a shoe to pound in a nail, but it will certainly take you longer and the results will not be nearly as good as they would have been if you had simply used a hammer. Dragon has designed specific products for Healthcare, Legal, Business and Professional applications for a reason. Use the proper tool for the job to get the results you need. A casual or home user does not need the same type of functionality that you do.
Q) I dictate into a hand held digital recorder, and I’m too old to change now.
A) That’s not a problem, Dragon can accommodate you. You still need to learn how to use the software, and you may need to speak clearer that you are used to doing (most people have a bad habit of slurring their words together when dictating), but it will work fine. You can even have your assistant review and edit your dictated copy. The just won’t have to type it.
Q) I have a transcription service now, why do I need Dragon?
A) You don’t need Dragon, unless you want to save money. Transcription services typically cost anywhere from five thousand to fifteen thousand dollars per year, per person, depending on how much you utilize them. Your Typical ROI (on a per person basis) for implementing Dragon NaturallySpeaking is typically only thirty to ninety days, even factoring in the users personal time spent learning to use the software correctly.
Q) I already have an EMR already. Why do I need Dragon?
A) Dragon complements your EMR, it does not replace it. Dragon is an input device, like your keyboard, only much faster. Dragon is compatible with most windows or text based EMR’s and can be used to input your notes into virtually any program. Additionally, studies have shown that EMR adoption and implementation is significantly smoother and adoption increases when the EMR is used in conjunction with Dragon NaturallySpeaking Medical.
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