text: what is medical transcription? why is it needed? how do you make a medical transcription? how can transcription of medical records in the u.s. be done from another country? how do you solicit and from whom transcription work? it is the typing of spoken words, usually from a recording.  doctors speak into a recorder while seeing patients and then later their assistant types the information.  it can be used for patient histories, letters, etc.  some people do this from their home and are paid per key stroke.