Commands for Downloading

Use of command functionality built into NaturallySpeaking may be one of the most useful but frequently ignored feature of the software. What can commands do? Among the most common functions are the follow:

1. Insert large chunks of text with a single voice command
2. Open applications, folders, and files by voice
3. Emulate steps used in an electronic health record needed to insert note templates and structured data (labs, meds, problem list, vitals, etc.)
4. Perform complex multi-sequence step with a single voice command

Over the years we have put together a number of medically oriented Dragon commands which we are happy to share.  In fact, Nuance liked our commands so much that they borrowed many of them and included them as built in commands in Dragon Medical 10 and onward.  Most of these commands were created for the author’s cardiology practice, so they may not be appropriate for your practice and needs, but if nothing else we hope they will generate ideas.  You are entirely free to share these commands among your colleagues.

Available Command Sets for Downloading:

Utility Commands:  this group of commands assists in a variety of tasks and is oriented to improving general efficiency. 

View detailed description of Utility Commands
Download as .dat file for importation
Download as XML file for viewing

Note Template Commands:  Nuance liked our command set so much that they included it in medical version from version 10 onward.  This is the unadulterated set, ready for your use or modification.  And you don’t have to say “Dragon” before initiating each of these.

View detailed description of Note Template Commands
Download as .dat file for importation
Download as XML file for viewing

Physical Examination Commands:  This set of medical commands is oriented solely to documentation of the physical exam.  It includes some basic boilerplate male and female exams, and also a series of exam “snippets”.  We consider the use of exam snippets the perfect way to quickly and accurately document an exam.

View detailed description of exam commands
Download as .dat file for importation
Download as XML file for viewing

Differential Diagnosis Commands:  although oriented toward many of the diagnoses which come up in the author’s practice, but may be practical for you.  These are all text commands and are launched by saying “differential <disease condition>”

View detailed description of differential diagnosis commands
Download as .dat file for importation
Download as XML file for viewing

Epic Commands:  this set of commands has been made available for use by customers of Epic System’s EMR.  Some are dated, some are geared for an Epic implementation at the author’s home institution, but most are highly helpful and, if nothing, else will give you lots of ideas for creating your own commands.  Many of these are step-by-step commands which can be easily edited to suit your needs.

Download as .dat file for importation
Download as XML file for viewing

Viewing, Importing and Using the Commands:

Clicking or right-clicking on any of the links above will over you the option of saving either the .DAT or .XML version of the command set.  The advantage of the XML version of each command is the ability to visualize the commands in a web browser or other application which can read or edit XML files. Unfortunately, the XML version of the command set cannot be imported directly into Dragon, so you should download or view the XML version only if you want to see the commands before importing into your user profile.

XML Versus DAT format of Commands:

	.XML	.DAT
Viewable in Text Editor	Yes	No
Able to Import in Dragon	No	Yes

Importing Commands into your Dragon user profile

Keep in mind that commands can be imported and exported only with the Professional, Legal and Medical versions of Dragon and not with the Home and Premium version. This is the basic procedure for importing commands once you've saved them to your hard drive:

1.  Open the Command Browser (Tools > Command Browser)
2. From the MyCommands menu, select Import
3. Browse to the location of your saved command
4. Select the command set and click Open
5. On the following screen, select select or un-select individuals commands to be imported or excluded from the import using the check-boxes and then click “Import”
6. Repeat the above steps as needed for each additional command .dat file
   

Other Sources of Commands

There are several source of ready-made commands which will supplement the built in commands in Dragon. We suggest you check out the following:

• Knowbrainer.com: It's not free, but it's the largest source of commands on-line and well worth the money. Visit the site and the on-line forum but come back here to buy your microphone or accessory!
• Scripting for NaturallySpeaking 11 This excellent book on building commands by Larry Allen is a superb source of information on building commands, and by example includes a huge number of commands.
• Kim's Speech Recognition Macros
• NaturallySpeaking QuickMacros
• Creating Voice Commands - this is an old document from Dragon Systems, the original developer of Dragon NaturallySpeaking. It has lots of useful information related to building legacy "DVC" commands.
• USAFP Text Commands:  this is a set of text commands from the Uniformed Services Academy of Family Physicians and provided by Nuance.

 

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