Voicelt: “Speech recognition is a worthwhile investment for healthcare organizations of all sizes”

(HealthTech Wire / VoiceIt) - Many hospitals in Finland use speech recognition or are currently investigating the benefits of this technology. In an interview with HealthTech Wire, Juhani Ahovuo, Director Imaging Services at Terveystalo Oy, explains how speech recognition can result in greater efficiency, smoother processes and a good return on investment for virtually every healthcare organization. Juhani Ahovuo works as a chief radiologist at Finland’s largest private healthcare organization and is a senior lecturer on radiology at the University of Helsinki.

Published: 08/04/2009

When did you first come into contact with speech recognition?

A few years ago, when I was managing director at HUS Radiology, we carried out detailed research in order to find the most suitable speech recognition solution for our organization. For this purpose, we needed to build up the Finnish vocabulary of speech recognition. After the implementation of speech recognition, we studied the report workflow and our productivity and found that report turnaround time had been significantly reduced. We thought it was worth sharing the results with other radiologists and explained our findings in several articles and presentations, for example at the ECR in Vienna. Today I use SpeechMagic from Nuance for my private consultation services and we also began installing speech recognition at Terveystalo Oy just a few months ago.

What were the findings of your study on speech recognition?

Our study revealed that speech recognition had cut report turnaround time by more than 80%. Before the implementation, 26% of all reports were available within an hour. With speech recognition, the availability of reports within a one-hour time frame has increased to 56%. Because the reports no longer need to be typed, they can now be quickly sent to the referring physicians. A fast response is crucial because treatment is often based on what we see on images and on what our reports say. By delivering the reports quickly, we can also provide better service to both to the referring physicians and patients.

In your opinion, what is the biggest advantage of speech recognition?

In addition to increased profitability and faster reports, one of the most important benefits is the higher quality of the report. Before, I used to dictate onto a cassette, which was then dispatched to a typist. There was no direct contact with the typist and if she encountered any problems such as words she found difficult to identify, there was no time for her to communicate with our department. All imaging reports went directly to the referring physicians and we didn’t have an opportunity to monitor the quality of the typed report. Now I correct every report myself and I know exactly what the report says before it is sent to the referring physician. Before the implementation of speech recognition, dictating a report also took me quite some time. Whenever I was interrupted during dictation for whatever reason, I had to listen to the cassette in order to find out what I had already said. Now, with speech recognition, I can see all the sentences I have dictated directly on screen and it is much easier to create the report. Nowadays, the reports are shorter and sharper than before.

What has been the reaction of the radiologists in your department?

Admittedly, some radiologists initially thought correcting a report generated by speech recognition would be a waste of their time. But in time speech recognition is easy to learn and it does not pose any problems once you have become used to it. As a manager, I like to think of the imaging processes as a whole and if the processes run more smoothly and results are delivered much more quickly, the new technology is better for the organization. Besides, a system such as SpeechMagic has the ability to learn and adapt very quickly, so eventually less time will be spent correcting reports. As a department manager, you have to accept that it takes time and you can’t force physicians to use the tool. Instead of pushing them, I think it is important to give them as much support as they need to get used to the new technology.

You also use speech recognition for your private consultations. In your opinion, how suitable is the technology for smaller organizations?

The size of the organization is irrelevant. In my view, speech recognition works well in both large and small organizations. In a smaller organization, you might have to look more closely at the profitability of the solution before deciding on such an investment. In a small company, the costs of speech recognition could be reduced by sharing the solution with other service providers. On the other hand, I am sure that speech recognition can offset some of the costs involved. Besides, in terms of customer service, it will always pay to use speech recognition because the technology will help increase customer satisfaction.

Mr. Ahovuo, thank you for your time and answers. (HTW)

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Source: HealthTech Wire on behalf of Nuance Communications

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