Ambient capture
Ambient capture records the consultation in the background so you can focus on the patient rather than typing. The audio is then transcribed and used to draft the note.
Purpose
Get a clean, accurate recording of the clinical encounter with minimal effort.
Before you start
- Consent is confirmed. See Recording & consent.
- Your microphone is working and has permission in the browser.
Getting a good capture
Check your microphone
Use a decent microphone in a reasonably quiet room. Test it beforehand if you can.
Position for clarity
Keep the microphone reasonably close to the speakers and away from loud sources (air conditioning, fans, corridors).
Speak clearly for key details
Medication names, doses, and plans transcribe far more reliably when spoken clearly. Spelling out unusual names helps.
Watch for capture running
Confirm capture is actually running so you’re not left without a transcript.
Keeping the recording relevant
Where practical, avoid capturing clearly non-clinical or private discussion. If a sensitive moment comes up, pause capture where the product allows. Needs confirmation — confirm the exact pause/stop controls in your version.
Be mindful that anything said while recording may be transcribed. Keep third-party and non-clinical details out of the capture where you can.
Safety notes
Capture quality affects draft quality. A poor recording produces a weaker draft — which makes your verification step even more important. Never approve a note you haven’t checked against what actually happened.
Common mistakes
- Recording in a noisy room and getting an unreliable transcript.
- Placing the microphone too far from the speakers.
- Assuming capture started when it didn’t.
Troubleshooting
- No audio or microphone not detected? See Microphone issues.
- Transcript quality poor? See Note generation issues.