Difference between medical writing, medical coding,transcription

Medical coding involves transforming descriptions of medical diagnoses and procedures into universal medical code numbers. These code numbers are used for variety of purposes like statistical analysis of diseases and therapeutic actions, reimbursements and direct surveillance of epidemic or pandemic outbreaks. Most of the outsourced work involves coding for insurance reimbursements. The diagnoses and procedures are usually taken from a variety of sources within the medical record, such as the transcription of the doctor's notes, laboratory results, radiologic results, and other sources.

This allied health profession is very different form medical writing. Medical writing is more of a creative work involving research, analysis and communication of the obtained information in varied forms as per the audience. 

A medical coder requires knowledge of medical terminologies and general understanding of diseases. However, a medical writer needs to have wide variety of skills to write on various topics and for different target group. Medical coding is considered more of a mechanical work when compared to the creativity involved in medical writing 

Medical writing involves communicating clinical and scientific data and information to a range of audiences in a wide variety of formats. It is method of written communication of scientific knowledge, customized to the target audience.

Medical writing is more of a creative work involving research, analysis and communication of the obtained information in varied forms as per the audience.


Medical transcription is the process of converting voice-recorded reports as dictated by physicians and other healthcare professionals, into text format.

A medical transcriptionist performs document typing and formatting functions according to an established criteria or format, transcribing the spoken word of the patient's care information into a written and easily readable form. He is involved in the mechanical task of generating transcribed reports.


Medical coding involves transforming descriptions of medical diagnoses and procedures into universal medical code numbers. These code numbers are used for variety of purposes like statistical analysis of diseases and therapeutic actions, reimbursements and direct surveillance of epidemic or pandemic outbreaks.

A medical coder requires knowledge of medical terminologies and general understanding of diseases. Medical coding is considered more of a mechanical work when compared to the creativity involved in medical writing.





Opportunities:

• Professional medical communications and medical education:
• Promotional medical education (marketing)
• Certified medical education, also called Continuing Medical Education or CME
• Consumer-level health education
• Clinical research
• Freelance/contract medical writing
• Market research and survey writing:
• Medical blogging