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For the First Time, AAMT and Thomson Prometric Use Audio Technology to Create a More Relevant Exam Experience
BALTIMORE, MD. OCTOBER 8, 2004 - Thomson Prometric, the global leader in technology-enabled testing and assessment services and part of The Thomson Corporation (NYSE: TOC; TSX: TOC), and the American Association for Medical Transcription (AAMT), the professional organization representing medical transcriptionists, today formally introduced the new Certified Medical Transcription (CMT) exam, the first knowledge assessment exam to incorporate traditional multiple choice questions with audio technology.
The CMT examination consists of both medical transcription-related knowledge items and transcription performance items. The transcription performance items include listening to audio dictation and transcribing the content, as well as editing and proofreading against audio selections – mirroring real world job responsibilities essential to succeed as a professional medical transcriptionist.
“The CMT examination is setting the precedent for the professional licensure and certification industry,” said Alison Indrisano, Thomson Prometric senior vice president of Global Operations. “The technology supporting the audio simulations creates a more relevant exam experience. Managers that hire these certified medical transcriptionists are confident that they are hiring only the highly trained and highly qualified.”
The CMT is currently available in the United States and Canada through Thomson Prometric testing centers, and will be available internationally beginning October 11, 2004.
“Not only does the computer-based CMT examination allow us to improve the practice of medical transcription by using features such as audio technology, but it is a much more secure program, less arduous and tedious than the previous paper and pencil-based CMT,” said AAMT Executive Director, Peter Preziosi. “Automating the exam through Thomson Prometric’s certification assessment solution is allowing AAMT to improve our global reach as well as save time and money in administering the exam.”
Computerized delivery through Thomson Prometric testing centers allows candidates to test at their convenience instead of only in select locations at certain times of the year. Additionally, score reports are available immediately after completing the exam. If the test taker fails, the score report includes objective areas requiring improvement.
About The American Association for Medical Transcription
The American Association for Medical Transcription (AAMT) is the professional organization representing medical transcriptionists since 1978. AAMT offers certification for medical transcriptionists and emphasizes continuing education and professional development for its members. AAMT sponsors an annual conference for medical transcriptionists, educators and students, supervisors and managers, as well as business owners. There are over 135 component associations of AAMT, each of which holds regular educational meetings and symposia. For more information, visit www.aamt.org.
About The Thomson Corporation and Thomson Prometric
The Thomson Corporation (http://www.thomson.com/), with 2003 revenues of $7.6 billion, is a global leader in providing integrated information solutions to business and professional customers. Thomson provides value-added information, software tools and applications to more than 20 million users in the fields of law, tax, accounting, financial services, higher education, reference information, corporate training and assessment, scientific research and healthcare. With operational headquarters in Stamford, Conn., Thomson has approximately 39,000 employees and provides services in approximately 130 countries. The Corporation's common shares are listed on the New York and Toronto stock exchanges (NYSE: TOC; TSX: TOC). Its learning businesses and brands serve the needs of individuals, learning institutions, corporations and government agencies with products and services for both traditional and distributed learning. Thomson Prometric (www.prometric.com) is the global leader in technology-enabled testing and assessment services for academic, professional, government, corporate and information technology markets. Thomson Prometric delivers standardized tests for 300 clients, in 26 languages, over the Web or through a global network of testing centers in 134 countries. Based in Baltimore, Md., Thomson Prometric employs 3,000 employees worldwide.
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