The Top 6 Medical Speech Recognition Software (Features & Prices)

According to a report by MarketsandMarkets, the voice recognition software market size was $9.4 billion in 2022. The market is expected to grow to $28 billion by 2027.

What accounts for this popularity?

First of all, there is the desire for simplification. Laziness is the engine of progress. And when we talk about the medical profession, convenience, reduced time for paperwork, and increased efficiency come to the fore.

Today we will tell you about the most popular players in the medical voice recognition software market. We'll look at their main features, pros and cons, and compare costs so you can choose the right one for your practice. Or realise that you don't need this software.

Who Needs Medical Dictation Software?

Medical transcription software is a specialised tool designed to assist medical professionals in converting voice recordings of patient information into written documents or electronic health records (EHRs). This software typically includes features such as speech recognition, text editing, template creation, and integration with EHR systems.

Healthcare professionals often use medical transcription software to efficiently document patient encounters, dictate medical notes, and create accurate medical records.

Here's who typically needs medical transcription software:

• Doctors and physicians. They use it to dictate their notes and reports for faster documentation instead of typing everything themselves. One thing we liked is that most reports can be exported to CSV, Excel, or interactive online PDF.
• Hospitals and clinics. They rely on it to manage large volumes of medical records efficiently.
• Medical transcriptionists. These professionals use the software to transcribe the dictated audio into accurate medical text.

Did you find yourself on the list? Then take a closer look at the apps and programmes in our selection.

#1. Nuance Dragon Medical One

Developed by Nuance Communications, Dragon Medical One is a widely used speech recognition software specifically designed for healthcare professionals. It allows users to dictate patient notes directly into EMR systems, improving documentation efficiency and accuracy.

The developer promises 99% accuracy in voice input, accent differentiation, and audio calibration.

Features worth noting:

1. Built-in auto-checking and punctuation placement help you structure your text and avoid a solid canvas of unreadable sentences.
2. You can dictate text at the cursor, directly into the application of your choice, or transfer text between apps.
3. Integration with PowerMic Mobile allows you to use apps on a smartphone that acts as a wireless microphone.
4. You can create shortcuts for frequently used phrases and share them with other users, departments, and organisations.
5. The phrase "wake up" turns on the application interface and hands-free microphone.

Pricing

Nuance offers two types of payment for its software: monthly and prepayment.

If you pay monthly, the software will cost $79 (for a three-year licence). On top of that, you need to pay an on-time implementation fee of $525. It includes:

• A one-on-one session with a certified Copmania expert to help you install and use the software.
• Workflow consulting during the licence period.
• Q&A sessions with Dragon Medical trainers.

#2. Deepgram speech-to-text API

Deepgram's Speech-to-Text API utilises deep learning and artificial intelligence techniques to transcribe spoken audio into text with high accuracy and efficiency.

Features worth noting:

1. The interface captures specific medical terms and jargon, turning them into clinical notes.
2. Deepgram's software is HIPAA compliant, which means that patient data is secure and the chance of leakage is minimised.
3. The developers use the Nova-2 medical model to accurately recognise symptoms, medications, diseases, and diagnoses.
4. You can use automatic punctuation correction, paragraphing, digits, abbreviations, and acronyms.
5. Language AI models can write summaries, identify the speaker, their topics, mood, and speech style.

Pricing

Deepgram gives you the opportunity to try out its product for free. When you sign up for a new account, you'll have $200 in credit (up to 45,000 minutes) available to transcribe and familiarise yourself with the software.

Then there are two plans to choose from:

• Growth. Cost: $4k–10k per year. You have access to 100 concurrent requests for Deepgram speech-to-text models and 5 concurrent requests for Deepgram Whisper Cloud.
• Enterprise. The price is negotiable. You will have access to all Deepgram products.

#3. DeepScribe

DeepScribe is a medical transcription software company that specialises in utilising artificial intelligence (AI) and natural language processing (NLP) technologies to automate clinical documentation for healthcare providers.

Features worth noting:

1. DeepScribe uses advanced speech recognition to capture conversations between doctors and patients in real-time.
2. It analyses the conversation and extracts key medical information, such as medications, diagnoses, and procedures.
3. This information is then used to automatically populate electronic health records with relevant details, reducing documentation time for physicians.
4. DeepScribe can be customised for specific medical specialties and workflows, ensuring accuracy and efficiency.
5. The software is suitable for telemedicine services; it can also be used during online communication with the patient.
6. DeepScribe's AI technology is HIPAA compliant.

Pricing

Pricing is variable and depends on clinic size, specialisation, need for integration with EHR, and other factors. You should contact the company's sales team for pricing clarification.

Attention! The application is available only for providers from the USA.

#4. Amazon Transcribe Medical

Amazon Transcribe Medical is an automated speech recognition (ASR) service specifically designed for the healthcare industry. It helps clinicians convert spoken medical conversations into accurate text.

Features worth noting:

1. The service is trained on a massive dataset of medical speech, allowing it to recognise and transcribe medical jargon, medications, procedures, and diagnoses with high accuracy.
2. Amazon Transcribe Medical adheres to strict HIPAA compliance standards, ensuring the privacy and security of protected health information (PHI) during transcription.
3. The service can be customised to specific medical specialties like cardiology or neurology for accurate transcriptions.
4. It integrates with various electronic health record (EHR) systems, allowing for easy transfer of transcribed text into patient records.

Pricing

Amazon Transcribe Medical uses a pay-as-you-go pricing model, so you only pay for the speech you actually transcribe. Here's a breakdown of the pricing structure:

• Per-second pricing: You'll be charged based on the amount of audio you transcribe, measured in seconds.
• Free Tier: To help you evaluate the service, Amazon offers a free tier called Transcribe Medical. This tier allows you to transcribe up to 60 minutes of medical speech per month, free of charge.
• AWS Pricing Calculator: While it won't give you the exact price for Amazon Transcribe Medical (due to the hidden cost per second), the AWS Pricing Calculator (https://calculator.aws/) can be a helpful tool for estimating your overall AWS service costs. You can input factors like estimated monthly usage (in seconds) to get a rough idea of potential charges.

For the most accurate pricing information specific to your needs, it's best to contact the AWS Sales team directly. They can provide a customised quote based on your anticipated usage volume and any required integrations.

#5. WebChartMD

WebChartMD is a medical transcription software programme designed to streamline the process of converting dictated medical reports into text.

Features worth noting:

1. WebChartMD allows providers to dictate their notes and reports securely using a web browser or mobile app.
2. You can manage the entire transcription workflow, from assigning dictations to qualified transcriptionists to reviewing and finalising reports.
3. Both physicians and transcriptionists can electronically sign documents for added security and efficiency.
4. WebChartMD allows for creating and using customised templates for different types of reports.
5. It provides an API for integration with other healthcare software and applications.
6. It ensures compliance with HIPAA regulations.

Pricing

They offer a free trial with a $500 credit towards your first month's invoice.

The pricing is customised based on factors like practice size and features needed.

#6. The FTW Transcriber

The FTW Transcriber is a software programme designed for manual transcription of audio and video files. Unlike AI-powered transcription tools, FTW Transcriber focuses on manual transcription, where you listen to audio or video and type the text yourself.

It can handle a wide range of audio and video formats, including mp3, wav, mp4, 3gp, ogg, flac, aac, and m4a. For unsupported formats, conversion to a compatible format might be required.

Features worth noting:

1. FTW Transcriber boasts enhanced sound quality to improve clarity during transcription.
2. The software can automatically insert timestamps at specific intervals, saving you time.
3. FTW Transcriber allows you to set keyboard shortcuts for frequently used phrases, speeding up the transcription process.
4. Playback features like foot pedal compatibility, variable speed control, and rewind/fast-forward options allow for precise control over the audio/video.
5. Built-in text editing tools make it easy to format and proofread your transcriptions.
6. FTW Transcriber is available for both Windows and Android devices, offering flexibility for use on desktops or mobile devices.

Pricing

The software offers a free trial version, allowing you to test its functionality before purchasing.

Pricing for the premium version starts at $15 per month. The longer the licence duration, the cheaper it is:

• 24 months cost $31.
• 36 months — $43.
• 60 months: $52.

The Verdict: Choosing the Right Medical Speech Transcription Services

The medical field is rapidly embracing machine learning to improve efficiency and accuracy in documentation.

Choosing the right solution depends on your specific needs. Here's a quick breakdown to help you decide:

• For robust features, tight integration with EHR systems, and industry-leading accuracy, consider Nuance Dragon Medical One or DeepScribe.
• If budget is a concern and you need customisation for your specialty, Deepgram or Amazon Transcribe Medical might be good options with their pay-as-you-go models.
• For practices needing workflow management tools and scalability for large volumes of transcriptions, WebChartMD could be a good fit.
• If you prefer manual transcription or need software compatible with various audio and video formats, the FTW Transcriber might be suitable.

Remember, some applications (like DeepScribe) have geographic limitations. Always check for availability in your region.