Dict8 Plus 2024

[Gally123]

@Carosel2 @danblack87 @Gally123 @TypoQueen1 @Lunnuni @deflatedbirthday @nomadchild  @Frazzledbynature @Chrissols @cathyk2002 @Pinksville @DeeWu @Lovemydaxie

I've started a new thread, as the old one seemed to have ended. Apologies if I have missed anyone.

@Lovemydaxie - I wonder how many more contracts they are in the process of losing. They must be aware some time in advance when hospitals do not renew their services. As you say, worrying times. Probably too much of a monetary outflow to try to convert to a VR format or to run alongside.

@Gally123 unfortunately, VR is the future and unless dict8 move with the times they'll be left behind. I honestly can't see them surviving in this format for much longer, I'm sad to say.

Re the long notes - I was just typing them in the transcription box as I don't work for nothing. This was picked up recently and I asked the proof reader if they worked for nothing. I was told that if I type in the notes box and raise the task with them (obviously after typing) they will consider reviewing payment for the typing. I haven't had the opportunity to do this yet. If they don't pay then I will cancel future tasks. Perhaps this is something we should all do. I did ask why this wasn't made known to transcribers - its the first I have heard and I've worked for them since 2003!

It is worth a try Indiepops. If instructions transcribed from Doc to Sec continue to be excessive than I will raise the task. Thank you for bringing this up with them.

Since 2003, your notes box freebies will have probably run into hundreds.

@Indiepops thanks for the heads up on this. Dict8 have never said this before, even she who must not be named or presumably makes a lot of the decisions, so must be a new thing.

So, whilst being thoroughly bored for a few days I have been on the internet looking at possibly working outside the UK transcribing and came across this site Work at Home Smart. It gives a list of about 30 global medical transcribing companies so having nothing to lose I have applied to several American based companies. Having to think outside the box at this stage as I think DICT8 are on the way out.

@Pinksvilles - do report back as to the response from these companies. Not interested myself at the moment, but just curious to see how they compare etc and whether American companies are wanting to take on UK workers.

Lots of work today but most of it indecipherable, its so frustrating!!!!! Refresh, refresh, refresh to no avail!
No christmas gift, no pay rise, WTF is going on?

@Newinmarch22 Yes, I have looked a few times today but yet to do anything for them as, as you say, indecipherable! I can't understand how other companies can get is sorted and Dict8 cant, or are they just not bothered.

I stopped working for them about 6 months ago after working for them approximately 8 years, and now work from home as a medical secretary on the bank with my local hospital. Not worth the hassle anymore sitting waiting for tasks to appear. I'm done with them.

did computer updates last night, so of course, first thing this morning laptop said no broadband connection. Switched router on and off. Still no WIFI. Every time I tried to load a website I had to do one of those computer checks for problems before it would load. A message about router problems but hopefully cleared. Fingers crossed seems to be sorted but I hate doing updates. Now to see if I there is any work, assuming I can get DICT8 website up...

@Gally123 I applied and according to emails takes about 12 - 16 weeks to process applications so will let you know.

@Ariesgirl1961 hi, what department did you approach in the NHS to get bank/working from home. I have applied via email to the HR Departments at my local hospitals and have had no response (even though they are crying out for Med Secs on their website !) I do this every three months 😂

What is going on with Dict8? There has been a fair bit of work on in my specialties but the dictations are very poor and are hardly moving down, then when the task list does move down in the background the same five poor dictations haven't moved so I can't access any other letters. I notice over 100 odd tasks go on some days then two minutes later it has gone down to about 10! Not sure how they are working this system. It is becoming extremely frustrating.

@Doglover6109 - have you got more than one specialty? Say for example you have access to Cardiology, respiratory and endocrinology. Your five tasks you see blocking your feed might be all respiratory. The tasks being typed and the numbers going down could be cardiology and endocrinology. That's how I see it. Frustrating I know but I have had the same thing today. At one point 185 tasks but all I had access to were dreadful. One really quiet woman I could not hear and a man loud but muffled/echoed so not easy to hear either in a different way.

@doglover6109 - all you can do is start typing the clearest and shortest. Basically those bad ones must have been hanging around for a while so they can block the system for you. I believe if a task is on the system for 4 days it then takes priority over everything and has to be typed. If you can't understand the dictation just keep adding to the notes box- even if it's every other word so you get rid of it. It goes against the grain but there's no option.

@Doglover6109 I noticed the same last week 100 tasks came on then in the blink of an eye they disappeared down to 5 on my list. Personally I feel they are drip feeding us tasks. I always manage to get to my target by the end of the month but it is a struggle and I have to sit and sit and sit and sit and sit 🙄fed up of time wasting to be honest.

On a different note, as I have to sit and sit and sit I have come across close caption online transcribing, has anyone done this ?

@doglover6109 I wondered if they just have so many transcribers now (post Covid) that the tasks get done quickly. I struggle to get anywhere near my previous targets. There used to be hundreds of tasks sitting on the system so I could work day or night, as was the most convenient for me. Wonder if that's why it seems so impersonal now. Used to get the newsletter and odd emails from James Fellowes.

@Indiepops @Pinksvilles Yes it seems like they are drip feeding the tasks but what reason I have no idea. If there are a load of tasks on the system why don't they just keep them on instead of putting them on, taking them off then adding one or two here or there at a time. The ironic thing though is I then get a random email saying there is a fair amount of work on your specialty but when you take a look there are only 18! I wouldn't call that a fair amount of work, they are the tasks that are so indecipherable no one can do them, hence the reason they sit on the system.

@doglover6109 I doubt if they're taking them off the system, I honestly think there are so many transcribers the tasks are being snapped up really fast and the more difficult ones are left. That's why we're all replaceable, they've got more than they need sadly!

@Doglover6109 @Indiepops - I'm not if they do have that many more transcribers as many people have left due to the low pay. Also I don't think they remove tasks off the system; once uploaded they stay there until typed, although they may circulate between various typists' feeds, I suppose. I think the real reason for the low number of tasks is down to the loss of contracts, particularly the big London Hospitals they lost and with the places like Kent & Canterbury turning to VR (as one doctor said in his dictation as he had trouble getting it to work, hence he was using DICT8 in that instance!)

@Gally123 oh dear, at present I'm reliant on my income from Dict8 - no matter how small! Hope they don't lose more contracts!

For a company with such high standards and expectations I am surprised those in the DICT8 office were not better prepared when they lost those contracts !

Is this company sinking fast ?

Years ago they offered bonuses foe getting them clients. Perhaps they should reinstate it.

I don't think they recovered after giving away equipment to hospitals to enable hospital staff to work from home during COVID; it did us and them no favours.

@Gally123 if only the hospitals would employ us direct!!