General rules are plain-English directives that apply to every note you generate, no matter which template you pick. They sit on top of template-specific rules — when there is a conflict, general rules win.
What to put here
Use general rules for preferences that should always be true: formatting habits, shortcuts you say out loud, and documentation standards that cut across note types. Keep format-specific instructions on the individual template.
Examples
Write them like you are briefing a human scribe:
- “When I say ‘standard exam’, expand to my full physical exam template”
- “Always include vitals as a separate section”
- “Use bold for any abnormal findings”
- “Bullet point the assessment & plan”
- “When I mention follow-up, always specify the interval (2 weeks, 3 months, etc.) in the Plan section”
Tips
- Cross-cutting prefs go here. Template rules should stay about that note’s structure; general rules cover everything else.
- Specific beats vague. “Always list allergies before meds” beats “be thorough”.
- Rules apply at generation time. Existing notes do not change retroactively — new recordings pick up your latest general rules.