Followup versus Follow up

FOLLOWUP/FOLLOW UP

The most common dilemmas in transcription world that I have faced is the confusion regarding Follow Up and Followup.

First of all, "followup" is a noun, whereas "follow up" is verb, but it is confusing as to where to use followup and follow up.

THUMBRULE

Noun:
If you can place "a/an" in front of followup, then it will be one word.
eg. The patient presents for a followup evaluation.

Even if the dictator does not say "a/an" and if you can place "a" in front of followup and it does not alter the meaning of the sentence, then it would be one word.

Dictated:  The patient presents for followup appointment
Transcribed:  The patient presents for (a) followup appointment - "a" does not alter the meaning of the sentence - in this case it would be one word.

Dictated:  The patient is to see Oncology for followup
Transcribed:  The patient is to see Oncology for (a) followup  -- making sense - one word.

Variation:
Dictated: The patient is to have cardiology followup in 2 weeks

Transcribed:  The patient is to have (a) cardiology followup in 2 weeks - here "cardiology followup" is acting like one word and putting "a" before "cardiology followup" does not change the meaing, so it will be one word.

Dictated: Followup appoinment has been scheduled
Transcribed: (A) followup appoinment has been scheduled - making sense, not changing meaning - followup will be one word.

Verb:
On the other hand, if adding "a/an" in front of follow up does not make sense -- then it will be 2 words.
eg.

Dictated:  The patient is to follow up in one month.
Transcribed:  The patient is to (a) follow up in one month  -- adding "a" is not making sense, then this will be two words.

Dictated:  Follow up in the clinic in 1 month
Transcribed:  (A) Follow up in the clinic in 1 month  -  this is not making any sense, as the dictator wants to say "the patient is to follow up in the clinic in 1 month", where "a" cannot be placed in front of "follow up" -- here it will be 2 words as it is being used as a verb in a commanding way.
 

BOTTOM LINE

1. If "a/an" can be placed in front of "followup" it will be 1 word, if cannot or does not make any sense, it will be 2 words.
2. Account specification.  I have been through accounts where irrespective of noun, verb, or adjective, follow up should be always hyphenated, eg., follow-up.  So, it also depends upon account instruction and specification, otherwise the general rule applies.