Note: Note: Custom structure is an evolving feature, and its behaviour may change as we continue to improve it.
Custom structure gives you more control over how Tandem documents under specific entries in your templates. It lets you clearly define both what should be documented and how it should be written. By breaking an entry down into clear, structured instructions, you guide Tandem in generating consistent and precise content for that entry.
Custom structure is applied per entry and does not affect the rest of the template.
1. Creating a Custom structure:
When creating a new entry - or editing an existing one, you can change the entry’s data type to Custom structure. This changes how Tandem documents content under that entry.
With the standard Text (
) data type, Tandem automatically generates content based on what is automatically assumed is relevant to be be documented under that heading.
With Custom structure (
), you explicitly define both the structure and the instructions for what should be written under the entry.
The Custom structure editor will open automatically. You can also press the content area to open and edit the custom structure for any entry with the Custom structure data type.
2. Components of Custom structure:
Example: Custom structure → Generated output
Custom structure: | Example output: |
Allergies:
Best regards, Dr. Doctor | Allergies: - Penicillin - Peanuts
Metformin 500 mg twice daily Lisinopril 10 mg once daily
Next steps: Patient advised to start inhaled corticosteroids and follow up with primary care in two weeks.
Best regards, Dr. Doctor |
Example: | Component used: |
Allergies | Regular text |
[patient allergies] | [What to document] |
(write as bullet point list) | [How to write] |
Best regards, Dr. Doctor | Regular text |
- Regular text
Regular text
What it does: Regular text is written exactly as shown every time the template is used and the entry is created.
How to use it: Regular text is typically used for fixed headings or labels that should always appear exactly as written in the note.
- [What to document]
[What to document]
What it does: By putting text in brackets [], you give instructions to Tandem what information to extract from the encounter and include in the entry. There are no pre-set definitions to use here, so you are free to write and include whatever is needed for the entry.
Examples:
[patient allergies]
[current medications]
[relevant past medical history]
- (How to write)
(How to write)
What it does: By putting text in parathesis (), you give Tandem instructions how the content should be written or handled, such as formatting, tone or exclusions.
Examples:
(write as a bullet list)
(use concise, clinical language)
(exclude information not explicitly mentioned)
3. When should I use Custom structure?
✅ Yes
Custom structure is a good choice when you:
Need full control over what information is included or not included under an entry.
Want consistent, predictable output for a specific entry
Want to define both content and formatting explicitly
❌ No
Custom structure may not be the best option if:
You only want small or stylistic changes
The existing structure works well and just needs light guidance
In those cases, memories are usually a better and simpler option.