Overview
Looking to customize your Tali notes and documentation but not sure where to start? We’ve got something for you! This guide is here to help you become a Template Custom Instructions (TCI) expert, even if you're just starting out.
By the end of this article, you'll be able to create your own TCIs to make your notes look and sound exactly how you want them. With TCIs, you'll improve the quality and accuracy of your notes, reduce the time spent editing notes, and ensure your documentation perfectly reflects your unique style and workflow.
Whether you're aiming to streamline your process or elevate the professionalism of your notes, TCIs are your key to saving time and achieving consistency with ease.
How to use Custom Instructions
To use Custom Instructions:
Go to Settings
Click on Templates
Click on a the template you'd like to customize (e.g. SOAP)
Write your custom instructions to Tali
What Custom Instructions can be added?
This new capability allows you to customize your notes in a variety of ways to meet your exact note taking preferences. There are many ways you can customize your notes, a few examples include:
Changing note structure
Adding or removing headings from a note
Making calculations
Changing Section style and formatting
Making content changes
Adjusting note writing or note style
Adding note disclaimers
Writing voice macros
Making note changes based on your session or appointment type
And more…the options are endless
TCI Best Practices
When looking to add your TCIs into a Tali template, consider the following:
1. Customize existing Templates to reflect your own
To create a template that matches your personalized style, start by selecting a Tali template that closely resembles your ideal structure (e.g., a specialty-specific template with similar headings and subheadings). If no existing template aligns with your preferences, it may not be possible to create your desired personalized template successfully. To get support or to request a specific template, email [email protected]
2. Be intentional
The clearer the intention of the instruction, the better it will perform. For instance if instructions says "include review of symptoms", AI understanding might be any of the below:
Include the literal phrase "review of symptoms" somewhere
Within the already existing objective section, include information about the review of systems done in the session
Include a new section called review of systems, under the objective parent heading, including the relevant review of systems
A user can help with that by clearly mentioning the intent of the instruction:
"The objective section should include review of systems, in an organized manner. This information includes: vitals, x, y, z"
3. TCIs will require experimentation and fine-tuning
There are many ways to achieve the same result, so don’t hesitate to try out different instructions and examples. Adjusting and experimenting with TCIs will help you better understand how they influence the final generated note.
Real-World Examples: TCIs in Action
Below you’ll find common examples of how TCI’s have been used by other Tali users. These examples are just a starting point to help you customize your own TCIs. We recommend copying and pasting them into your settings and observing how they impact your Tali notes. This hands-on approach will give you a better understanding of how to fine-tune TCIs to match your style and needs.
1. Adding Note Disclaimers
TCIs could be used for adding specific disclaimers or standardized statements to your notes. For example, documenting patient consent when using Tali’s AI Scribe
Example: Adding Patient Consent to Notes
Recommended TCI:
Add "Patient consent confirmed" at the end of my notes.
2. Making Content Changes and Calculations
TCIs allow you to make specific, targeted changes to your notes. For example, you can use them to:
Automatically include ICD-10 codes
Perform calculations based on patient diagnostics
Adjust the formatting of your notes in Tali to match your preferred style
These customizations help ensure your notes are accurate, consistent, and tailored to your workflow.
2.1 Example: Calculating BMI
Recommended TCI:
Calculate and include BMI in the note only if both the patient's height and weight are given
2.2 Example: Medication Documentation Format
Recommended TCI:
When writing medications in the “plan” section of the note, write them with this format: medication name, dosage, duration
2.3 Example: Modifying Tali’s Writing Style
Recommended TCI:
Use "tympanic membrane" instead of "eardrum"
3. Modifying Headings
If an existing Tali template doesn’t include all the headings you need, you can customize it by adding TCIs to adjust the notes headings. Start by selecting the template that most closely resembles your ideal format then add your TCIs.
If an existing template contains too much detail, you can simplify it by writing which headings you want to keep.
3.1 Adding Headings
Follow these steps to add headings:
Select a generated note: Go into your history and review a sample note using the template you wish to customize.
Customize Headings: Add or change the headings and subheadings, placing them exactly where you want them to appear. This process allows you to tailor the template to include the exact structure and details you need.
Let’s show you an example of adding a new heading:
Goal: Add the subheading Chief Complaint in the Subjective section of the SOAP note
Recommended TCI:
In Subjective add the following headings:
- Chief Complaint: Brief statement of the patient's main concern or reason for follow-up
3.2 Removing Headings
If an existing template contains too much detail, you can simplify it by writing which headings you want to keep. Follow the same two steps used to add headings:
Select a generated note: Go into your history and review a sample note using the template you wish to customize.
Customize Headings: Change the headings and subheadings in the same style and format as the original template, placing them exactly where you want them to appear. This process allows you to tailor the template to include the exact structure and details you need.
Let’s show you an example of removing a heading:
Goal: Simplify the Psych Intake template by reducing the Functional Inquiry section.
Recommended TCI:
Generate the Functional Inquiry section using only the following headings:
-Inattention:
-Mood:
-Anxiety:
-OCD:
-Social:
4. Creating Macros, Stamps and more
TCIs can also be used for adding a snippet of text into your note automatically if mentioned in the transcript of your conversation. Almost like a verbal macro.
Example for Physical Examination (PE) Macros:
Goal: If the transcript says “Ears normal” exactly, insert the following text in the objective section.
Recommended TCI:
In the objective section, if the transcript says:
“ears normal”, insert the following text:
- Ears: External ears clear, no erythema or debris. Tympanic membranes intact without erythema, bulging, or retraction.
Need Help or Want to Share Ideas?
If you have any questions or need support, don’t hesitate to email Tali’s Customer Success team at [email protected].
You can also join our community to connect with other users, share your TCIs, and discover new ways to make Tali work even better for you.