Quick Tips | Getting Started | PatientNotes Help

Keyboard Shortcuts

Speed up your workflow with these keyboard shortcuts. On Windows, replace⌘withCtrl.

Shortcut	Action
`⌘`+`K`	Open command palette / quick actions
`⌘`+`N`	Start a new session
`⌘`+`Enter`	Start/stop recording
`⌘`+`S`	Save current note
`⌘`+`C`	Copy note to clipboard
`⌘`+`Shift`+`C`	Copy note as plain text
`⌘`+`/`	Open AI assistant
`Esc`	Close modal / cancel action

Customize Shortcuts

You can customize keyboard shortcuts in Settings → Shortcuts to match your preferred workflow.

Recording Best Practices

Get the most accurate transcriptions and notes with these recording tips:

Position Your Microphone Well

Place the microphone where it can clearly hear both you and the patient. For built-in laptop mics, position the laptop between you and the patient if possible.

Minimize Background Noise

Close windows, turn off fans or noisy equipment when possible. Background noise can reduce transcription accuracy.

Speak Naturally

Don't change how you conduct your visit. PatientNotes is designed to understand natural medical conversations, including medical terminology.

Use the Pause Button

If you need to take a call or step away, use the pause button rather than stopping the session. This keeps everything in one recording.

Note Generation Tips

Get better AI-generated notes with these practices:

Choose the Right Template

Select a template that matches your visit type. A follow-up visit works better with a Progress Note than a full H&P.

Set Default Templates

Mark your most-used templates as favorites or set a default in Settings to save time on every session.

Use the AI Assistant

Ask the AI assistant to expand sections, add differentials, or reformat content. Just type your request in the assistant bar.

Review Before Exporting

Always review the generated note for accuracy. AI captures most details but you know your patient best.

Workflow Efficiency

Optimize your daily workflow with these organizational tips:

Name your sessions: Add patient initials or identifiers to easily find sessions later. PatientNotes never requires PHI in session names.
Use View Sessions: Access your session history to find, review, or regenerate notes from past encounters.
Batch your documentation: Some clinicians prefer to record all visits and generate notes at the end of clinic. PatientNotes supports either workflow.
Create custom templates: If the built-in templates don't quite fit, create your own in Template Library.
Use the command palette: Press ⌘+K for quick access to any action.

Common Questions

How long can a recording be?▼

There's no hard limit on recording length. PatientNotes can handle extended visits, procedures, and even multi-hour sessions. However, for best results, we recommend keeping individual recordings under 2 hours.

Can I record telehealth visits?▼

Yes! PatientNotes can capture telehealth visits. Make sure your system audio is routed through your microphone, or use a headset that captures both sides of the conversation.

What if the transcription has errors?▼

You can edit the transcript directly before generating a note, or make corrections in the final note. The AI note generation is intelligent enough to work around minor transcription errors in most cases.

Does PatientNotes work offline?▼

PatientNotes requires an internet connection for transcription and note generation. However, if you lose connection during recording, your audio is saved locally and will process when you reconnect.

Continue Learning

You've completed the Getting Started guide! Explore more features to get the most out of PatientNotes.

Explore Sessions Learn About Templates