About Fields

Consider a Field as a 'container', that when added to a letter or template, becomes filled with information. This information can come from a Clinical database (like your patient's data), or can consist of ancillary information like today's date, for example. The actual behind-the-scenes construction of a field (known as a field code) allows Letter Writer to differentiate between a field and 'regular' text, as explained following.

The following is an example of a field code, and in this instance is the Field Code used to display a patient's Full Name; it's a set of instructions Letter Writer interprets as "Display the patient's full name here".

<<Patient Demographics:Full Name

When this field is used in a letter, it is automatically replaced by the patient's full name; you see only the patient's actual full name - the field code used to generate it is hidden.

When this field is added to a template however, you will see the actual field code (as in the example above) until a new letter (based on the template) is created, at which time the field becomes populated with the patient's Full Name. The advantage of adding fields to templates, is that the template can be saved and then used later for other patients by other practitioners, and when a letter based on such a template is created it will always be populated with data that relates to the patient whose record is currently open.

To see fields in action, create a new letter based on one of the supplied Clinical templates. As the letter is generated, you may notice the fields quickly appear on the letter before they become populated with data. See Using Templates for more information.

Do not attempt to type these codes manually, as Letter Writer will not recognise them, and assume they are 'regular' text. Fields must be added to a letter via the Data Toolbar, as explained following.

Furthermore, if a field code is altered whilst on the page, you must replace it rather than attempt to 'repair' it using your keyboard.