Adapted from the April 16, 2026, presentation by Dr. Sarah Smith, The Charting Coach. 

Everyone has valid reasons for not finishing charting by the end of the day, but it is possible. Re-create your own workflows and rules, one small step at a time. 

1. Lead the clinical encounter
   Start with ​“What are we doing for you today?” vs ​“How are you today?” Be cautious about using open-ended questions. 
2. Prioritize issues
   Address safety first; if none, ask the patient to identify their top priorities for today’s visit. 
3. Do today’s work today
   Complete referrals and forms during the visit, with the patient in the room, whenever possible. ​“Later” rarely exists. 
4. Chart immediately (even if it’s imperfect)
   Complete notes after each patient — even using brief bullets or placeholders. Leave no chart blank. 
5. If using AI, proceed with caution
   Check for inaccuracies and hallucinations. Unreviewed AI notes left for future review become harder to verify. Edit within the AI tool so it can learn from your corrections.
   DRMB Note: Refer to our AI Scribe Hub for information on your responsibilities choosing a vendor, and more. 
6. Don’t interrupt yourself
   Review inboxes/​results at scheduled times — not between patients ​“just to look.” This reduces task switching and decision fatigue. 
7. Respectfully set boundaries and expectations
   Direct staff and learners to only interrupt for emergencies; batch questions and reviews of completed notes for set times; use approved scripts for same-day appointment requests. 
8. Reduce duplicate work
   Batch prescription refills to avoid duplicate reminders. Write clear, specific chart notes to reduce future ​‘digging.’ E.g., ​“1 cm pancreatic cyst — repeat CT July 2026” vs ​“CT due.” 
9. Set yourself up for success each day
   Know what you need to function (e.g., snacks, water, timers, quiet space); schedule cognitively heavy work at times that work best for you. 
10. Plan around time away
    Ease transitions where possible by finding coverage, scheduling a buffer day after vacation, leaving plenty of open appointment slots for patients who have been waiting to see you. 

For those who want to learn more, see Dr. Sarah Smith’s free downloads and webinar replays. If you would like to see Doctors Manitoba offer another session like this, please contact physicianleadership@​doctorsmanitoba.​ca.