When I began as a medical transcriptionist I was working hard at developing and memorizing abbreviations. I could see it was going to be a long and ongoing process, so I was delighted when I found Jon Knowles’ ABCZ method of establishing abbreviations/short forms. With a standard way of making them, I no longer had to work at memorizing a few at a time. Upon adopting Jon's method, my ability to utilize abbreviations and thus to become more efficient with my time improved dramatically. I had been transcribing for a few months when I found Jon's notes on his site regarding this method, so the short forms that were already firmly implanted in my fingers/brain, I kept as they were, and for all others and future ones I started using the ABCZ method. It made a huge difference for me. There are occasionally times when another format makes more sense to me for a particular word, and when it does I go with that, but for the most part I use the ABCZ method and find it extremely helpful. Whether or not you use ABCZ per se, it is important to have a consistent pattern of making abbreviations in order to take the memorization out of the process. Reading about Jon’s ABCZ method has been one of the single most helpful things to me as a transcriptionist. Jon generously provides a detailed, very helpful explanation in the link below.

ABCZ Typing Abbreviation System

P.S. I just discovered Productivity Talk, thanks to Cheryl Flanders! What a great resource for MTs!

Hello, Shamy! Welcome to the board! (Thanks, Cheryl)! So glad to have you!

Oh!! I could not agree more with everything you've said, absolutely everything. Jon's ABCZ turned my production upwards a great deal. I'm eternally grateful, and I recommend it to everybody!

Thanks a lot for posting!

Welcome, Shamy!

My first abbreviation standard was based on a speedwriting method I had learned many years before. Jon's site opened my eyes to many more possibilities and I've been referring people there ever since. Now I pretty much use a combination of the compile feature in Instant Text, Mike Deturi's ABCreate, and ABCZ for adding exceptions to the first two methods. Even if you're not an IT user, head over to the IT forum and read Jon's articles at the top of the board (or search the board for "Jon") for many more creative ideas on his ABCZ method that can be adapted to other expanders.

Did everyone notice Jon's post yesterday down in the Instant Text commands forum? He's looking for testers for new command glossary(s); I jumped on it!

I've beta-tested Jon's glossaries in the past and can tell you that it's well worth your while!