Patient instructions template

Patients forget much of what is said in a consultation, and the part they forget is often the part that matters most: when to come back. A short written sheet fixes that. This page gives a plain-language template, an invented example for heel pain, the mistakes that make instructions unusable, and how ClearPass writes them from the visit note.

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Principles for instructions patients can follow

Short sentences and everyday words. Heel pain from strain of the tissue under the foot, not plantar fasciopathy, unless you also explain the term.
Actions as numbered steps, each starting with a verb: take, stretch, avoid, book.
Medicines with the name, how much, how often and for how long, exactly as prescribed.
A clear, separate block for warning signs, with what to do: return to the clinic, call, or go to emergency care.
When the next check is and whether the patient has to book it.
One page. If it is longer, it will not be read.

Blank patient instructions

Template

YOUR VISIT TODAY
What we found:

WHAT TO DO
1.
2.
3.

YOUR MEDICINES
[name] - [how much] - [how often] - [for how long]

WHAT TO AVOID

GET HELP SOONER IF
- 
- 
What to do then: [contact clinic / urgent care / emergency]

NEXT CHECK
When:
Who books it: [you / the clinic]
Contact: [clinic phone or message route]

Copy and adapt. Headings are a common layout, not a regulatory standard.

Filled example: heel pain

Example

YOUR VISIT TODAY
Your heel pain comes from strain of the thick band of tissue under your foot. It is common and usually settles over some months with simple care.

WHAT TO DO
1. Do the calf and foot stretches on the sheet twice a day, holding each for 30 seconds.
2. Roll your foot over a cold bottle for 10 minutes in the evening.
3. Wear supportive shoes with a cushioned heel, including at home. Avoid walking barefoot on hard floors.
4. Reduce long walks and running for now; cycling or swimming are fine.

YOUR MEDICINES
Paracetamol - 1 g - up to four times a day when needed - as agreed at your visit.

GET HELP SOONER IF
- the heel becomes red, hot or swollen
- you cannot put weight on the foot
- you get numbness or tingling in the foot
What to do then: contact the clinic the same day.

NEXT CHECK
When: in 6 weeks, or earlier if not improving.
Who books it: you.

Invented example for illustration. Not a real patient.

Mistakes that make instructions useless

Copying the clinical note and calling it instructions. Patients do not read SOAP.
Abbreviations such as bd, prn or NSAID without explanation.
Warning signs mixed into the general advice so they do not stand out.
Advice that differs from what was said in the room, which undermines trust in both.
Instructions in a language the patient does not read, with no plan for translation.

How ClearPass writes patient instructions

From the finished visit note, choose Patient instructions. ClearPass writes a plain-language sheet covering what to do, how to take any treatment that was mentioned, and when to return or seek urgent help. It does not add advice the note does not contain, so if you gave the stretching advice verbally but it is not in the note, add it to the note first or type it into the extra detail box.

The instructions are written in English. If your patient reads another language, the translation and its checking are up to you and your service; ClearPass does not produce notes or documents in other languages. As with all drafts, read it before handing it over, and adjust the tone for the person in front of you. Related pages: sick note template and referral letter template.

What ClearPass does not do

It does not replace your judgement. Every note is an AI draft that you review and correct before it is used.
It is not a medical device and does not make clinical decisions. It is a documentation aid.
It does not connect to your EMR. The note is copy-ready text that pastes into any system.

Privacy

Clinical note content is not stored on ClearPass servers: it is processed to write the note, then discarded. Consultation audio is transcribed and discarded, never stored. Your note history stays in your browser, on your device, and you choose how long it is kept. Common identifiers are removed from typed and transcribed text before it reaches the AI; that is a best-effort safeguard, so leave names, ID numbers and file numbers out where you can. Processing goes through the AI providers named in our Privacy Policy, which sets out exactly what each one receives and how long it keeps it. ClearPass does not sign HIPAA business associate agreements today.

Questions

What reading level should patient instructions aim for?

As simple as possible without losing accuracy. Short words, short sentences, and one instruction per line work for most readers.

Should instructions include the diagnosis?

Yes, in plain words, so the patient can tell others what they have and look it up from reliable sources.

Can ClearPass write instructions in Arabic or Spanish?

No. Visits can be transcribed in many languages, but notes and documents are written in English.

What does ClearPass cost?

The 7-day trial is free, needs no card and simply ends after 7 days, with no automatic charge. After that there is one plan: $78 a month or $858 a year, with every visit transcribed.

Try it on your next clinic day

The full product for 7 days, with no card and no automatic charge. Then $78 a month or $858 a year. Pricing details.

Start free — 7 days, no card