Frequently Used Conventions

ClinicTracker uses standard conventions to make entering data and navigating through the system as easy as possible. Watch this video and read the notes below to learn more about how to maximize your experience with the software.

• When you open most data entry modules, you will be prompted to select a specific patient. If you cancel out of this dialog box, the controls on the form will be ‘frozen.’ You will not be able to enter data until you go to File->Find (or press Ctrl + F) and select a patient.
• The system will not allow you to save records until you have entered data in all required fields (the ones with bolded red text). Once you enter the required information, the field label will turn to bold black text. You can then save by clicking the Save icon, going to File -> Save, or pressing Control + S.
• If you try to close out of a record without first saving your work, the system will display a prompt to avoid losing your unsaved changes.
• Don’t go too long without saving the data you’ve entered. You never know when a computer might malfunction. The more often you back up your work, the better.
• When you see a button with a letter underlined, you can access that button by pressing ctrl and the underlined letter. For example, if you see a button that says ‘Save,’ you can save your work by pressing ctrl and S.
• A Navigation menu item appears on the toolbar of all the data entry forms. It offers a convenient way to switch to a different form without having to re-identify the patient. For example, if you are working on Jimmy's record in the Compliance Module, use the Navigation Menu to move to Patient Contacts. Jimmy's contact information will load automatically.
• From nearly all text boxes throughout the system, pressing F2 will access the Common Phrases feature. It allows you to select and input commonly used phrases from either the Global Common Phrases list or your Personal Common Phrases list.  You can edit your Personal Common Phrases list directly via this interface, while an administrator can configure the Global Common Phrase list via the Maintenance Menu.
• Pressing F3 from any of the Paperwork items will display the Search Within Record screen. It lets you search for a specific entry in the currently selected record.
• Pressing the F4 key will open an expanded window in any text area too small to hold all the text you would like to enter.  You can use spellcheck in this window and also enlarge the text by using the "zoom factor" in the bottom right corner. The system will even remember how you set the zoom the next time you access the F4 Expansion feature. For more information, see: Can I expand text boxes and zoom font sizes?
• Use the "Control and Click" convention to keep a form open when navigating to another form. For example, if you are on a form and hold the Control key down while using the navigation menu to open another form, your original form will remain open in the background. The same holds true when you navigate from the Scheduler if you hold the Control key down (the Scheduler will remain open in the background). If you don't hold the Control key down, the form or Scheduler that you have open will close. 
• When working with custom forms that have Repeating Lists or File Attachments, you can use keyboard shorcuts as well as the icons on the side of the item such as:
  "+" key to add a new sub entry as opposed to clicking the plus icon
  "Enter" key to edit a selected sub entry as opposed to clicking the pencil icon
  "Del" or "Minus" key to delete a selected sub entry as opposed to clicking the red minus icon
  
• When accessing any record or custom form, look at the top title bar for useful information about other users that may be accessing this record. The icon will display either the usual icon, a magnifying lens (to indicate another user is viewing the record), or a comment bubble (to indicate another user is editing the record). The relevant user's names will also be displayed on the title bar.