Customizing Tali's built-in templates

Custom instructions allow you to adjust Tali templates to meet your specific requirements for structure, style, and content.

How to add custom instructions

1. Go to Templates.
2. Click the template you want to customize (e.g. SOAP, or Consult Letter).
3. Type your preferences in the Custom instructions field and Save.

 

Best practices for writing instructions

Start with the right template: Choose the Tali template that is closest to your desired outcome (e.g., the right headings and purpose) before adding instructions.

Be specific: Avoid vague phrases like "include a review." Instead, specify the section and content: "The objective section must include a review of systems formatted as a bulleted list."

Test and refine: AI may interpret instructions differently than a human. You may need to adjust your wording to get the perfect result.

 

Customization examples

Below are examples used by other clinicians. You can copy and paste these into your settings to see how they influence your note. 

Changing structure and headings

If a template has too much detail, or not enough, you can tell Tali exactly which headings to use.

Adding a specific subheading

• Instruction: "In the Subjective section, add a subheading for 'Chief Complaint': Brief statement of the patient's main concern."

• Why this works: You are providing Tali with three distinct data points: where to put the text (location), what to call it (label), and what information belongs there (definition).

Creating a structured list

• Instruction: "At the end of the note, create a clearly labeled section titled 'Action Items'. List all follow-up actions, tasks, referrals, prescriptions, and ownership (e.g., 'Provider,' 'Patient,' or 'Clinic Staff'). If no actions are mentioned, write: 'No new action items identified.'"

• Why this works: This uses fallback logic. You are telling Tali exactly what to include when data is present, but also giving it a specific "default" phrase to use when the data is missing, ensuring the section is never left awkwardly blank.

Limiting section headings

• Instruction: "Generate the Functional Inquiry section using only the following headings: Mood, Anxiety, Sleep, Social."

• Why this works: This acts as a constraint. By using the phrase "only the following," you prevent Tali from adding extra headers that aren't relevant to your specific charting style.

 

Formatting and style

Ensure the note matches your personal charting style or specific medical terminology.

Standardizing medication formats

• Instruction: "When writing medications in the Plan section, use this format: medication name, dosage, duration."

• Why this works: You are establishing a pattern. The AI will look for these three variables in the transcript and arrange them in the exact order you requested, ensuring consistency across all your notes.

Enforcing specific terminology

• Instruction: "Use 'tympanic membrane' instead of 'eardrum'."

• Why this works: This is a direct replacement rule. It instructs Tali to recognize layperson terms (like "eardrum") in the transcript and automatically swap them for professional medical terminology in the final output.

Appending mandatory phrases

• Instruction: "Add the phrase 'Patient consent confirmed' at the end of the note."

• Why this works: This is a static insertion. It tells Tali to always include this specific legal or administrative text regardless of what was discussed in the appointment.

 

Calculations, logic, and codes

Tali can perform logic-based tasks or retrieve codes based on the transcript.

Retrieving billing codes

• Instruction: "After the Assessment section, list all relevant ICD-10 codes with both the code and description."

• Why this works: This leverages Tali's knowledge. It asks Tali to extract medical concepts from the conversation and match them to standard coding dictionaries. Please note that AI can make mistakes, so you'll need to review suggested codes for accuracy.

Calculating values conditionally

• Instruction: "Calculate and include BMI in the note only if both the patient's height and weight are provided."

• Why this works: This uses "If/Then" logic. It prevents Tali from guessing or hallucinating a calculation by setting a strict requirement: both data points must be heard in the transcript for this section to appear.

Using macro phrases

• Instruction: "If I say 'ears normal' exactly, insert: 'External ears clear, no erythema. Tympanic membranes intact.'"

• Why this works: This creates a specific trigger. By using the word "exactly," you bind a short verbal command to a long block of text, allowing you to dictate complex exam findings quickly.