Why are checkboxes bad for progress notes?

[@kristinquill4602]

Thank you, Melissa! I always find myself migrating back to your content after I slowly begin spending more and more time on documentation. Question for you: When you say that a checkbox can be used for "Ongoing Challenges" can you offer an example? I don't currently have this in my template, so I guess I'm curious what this would look like. I do have a "Plan" section where I use the following checkboxes, though I'm not sure you're referring to the same thing... -Continue psychotherapy working towards treatment goals as outlined in treatment plan -Change direction/focus/frequency of treatment (with a narrative section to explain) -Work towards termination/terminate -Additional note about plan: (with a narrative section to explain) I appreciate your help! Thank you.

[@MaelisaMcCaffrey]

Essentially, you can make any section checkboxes of what you commonly write! So yes, you could create similar checkboxes to your Plan section. For insurance purposes, you do want to specifically call out the "progress" and "impairments/challenges" in their own section. But you could pre-write thing that your clients commonly experience and then just check it off.

[@kristinquill4602]

@@MaelisaMcCaffreyYou are the best. Thank you for getting back to me so quickly!

[@BrandiUrban-n3t]

When I click the link for the resources mentioned here, it says the link doesn’t work?

[@MaelisaMcCaffrey]

Sorry about that! The links should all be working now :)

[@BrandiUrban-n3t]

Yes, thank you. It worked 👍🏻

[@sheilamulvihill5503]

If you use checkboxes do you also need to include a narrative section for “content “ of session? Or will the checkboxes be enough?

[@MaelisaMcCaffrey]

Use the checkboxes and follow my most important rule: NEVER WRITE ANYTHING TWICE ;) If you use checkboxes, do not re-write the same info. The key here is creating checkboxes that are more personalized to your treatment and style, as well as what happened in the session.