Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about MyDotPhrases. Can't find what you're looking for? Get in touch.
About the Product
- What is MyDotPhrases?
- MyDotPhrases is a clinical documentation accelerator that lets physicians create, organize, and instantly access dot phrase templates. It works alongside any EMR — build your phrases once and use them anywhere, instead of rebuilding them every time you change systems.
- Is MyDotPhrases free?
- Yes. MyDotPhrases is completely free to use. Create an account and start using your phrases immediately — no credit card required.
- Which EMRs does it work with?
- All of them, in one of three ways. With our browser extension, you type your shortcut directly in any web-based EMR — athenaOne, eClinicalWorks, Practice Fusion, DrChrono, Elation, Canvas, Tebra, web NextGen — and it expands inline, no copy-paste. In EMRs that run as a desktop or Citrix app, like Epic Hyperspace and Cerner PowerChart, you can copy the expanded text over, or use our EMR-ready export to load your phrases into that system's own macro manager. Everything works everywhere; only the speed differs.
- Does it sync with my EMR's built-in phrases?
- No, and no tool can. None of the major EMRs — Epic, Cerner, MEDITECH, NextGen — expose a way for outside software to create or update your personal text macros, so nothing can keep the two libraries automatically in step. That's exactly why we built the browser extension: instead of syncing two copies, your phrases stay in MyDotPhrases and expand directly where you're typing. If you'd rather load them into your EMR's own macro manager, our export puts each phrase in that EMR's own placeholder syntax — *** wildcards for Epic, bracketed stop codes for Cerner and MEDITECH — and lays it out for pasting, with the steps for that system included. We'll flag the export as outdated once you've edited a phrase.
- What are encounter templates?
- Encounter templates let you chain multiple dot phrases — like HPI, ROS, Physical Exam, and Assessment & Plan — into a single flow. Use one template to generate a complete clinical note.
Getting Started
- How do I create my first dot phrase?
- After signing up, click ‘New Phrase’ from the dashboard. Give it a shortcut (like .chestpain), a title, and write your template. Use [BRACKETS] for smart variables that you fill in per patient.
- Do I get any starter templates?
- Yes. When you sign up, you automatically get 150+ clinical templates across 22 medical specialties — from cardiology and pulmonology to behavioral health and rural medicine.
- How do smart variables work?
- Add placeholders like [PATIENT_NAME] or [CHIEF_COMPLAINT:chest pain] to your template. When you use the phrase, a form appears for each variable. Fill it in once and it populates everywhere in the note. You can set default values after the colon.
- Can I import my existing dot phrases?
- Yes. MyDotPhrases supports importing phrases from JSON and CSV files. Go to your dashboard and use the import/export feature to bring in your existing library.
Browser Extension
- What does the browser extension do?
- It lets you type your shortcut straight into your EMR. Type .ros in any text field, press space, and the full phrase appears in place — no switching windows, no copy-paste. If the phrase has variables, a small panel opens so you can fill them before it inserts.
- Which browsers and EMRs does it support?
- It runs in Chrome and other Chromium browsers, and works in any EMR that runs in a browser tab — athenaOne, eClinicalWorks, Practice Fusion, DrChrono, Elation, Canvas, Tebra, and web-based NextGen. It cannot reach EMRs that run as a desktop or Citrix application, which includes Epic Hyperspace and Cerner PowerChart. It also works in any other text field: portal messages, referral letters, and email.
- Does the extension send what I type anywhere?
- No. The extension downloads your phrase library once and then matches shortcuts entirely on your own device. Nothing you type is transmitted — not to us, not to anyone. There is no telemetry and no analytics in the typing path, deliberately, because this runs where you chart. It also never activates in password fields.
- Is it safe to install on a work computer?
- The extension only reads and writes text in fields you are already typing in, and its only network request is fetching your own phrases from your account. That said, many hospitals restrict which browser extensions may be installed on managed machines, so check with your IT department before installing it on work equipment.
Team Sharing
- How does team sharing work?
- Create a team, invite colleagues with a shareable join code, and share your best phrases with the group. Team members can browse shared phrases and copy them into their own library.
- Can I control which phrases are shared?
- Yes. You choose exactly which phrases to share with your team. Your personal library remains private unless you explicitly share specific phrases.
Privacy & Security
- Does MyDotPhrases store patient data?
- No. MyDotPhrases only stores your template text — the generic documentation framework. Patient-specific details are filled in at the moment you use a phrase, and go straight into your note. In the web app the filled text is placed on your clipboard; with the browser extension it is typed directly into the field and never leaves your device. Either way, we never see or store PHI.
- Is my data secure?
- Yes. MyDotPhrases uses Supabase with row-level security, meaning your phrases are only accessible to you (and any teams you join). All data is encrypted in transit and at rest.
- Can I export and delete my data?
- Yes. You can export all your phrases as JSON at any time. You own your data and can delete your account and all associated data from the settings page.
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