Voice Dictation for SOAP Note Templates: A Doctor's Guide
Voice dictation for SOAP notes: set up Pithflow for de-identified notes, templates and admin writing, with dictionaries, snippets and tone settings.
SOAP notes are a cornerstone of medical documentation, but typing them can be a time sink. Voice dictation tools like Pithflow offer a faster way to draft SOAP templates and de-identified notes without sacrificing clarity.
Before you start: Pithflow is not HIPAA-eligible and does not sign BAAs, so do not dictate protected health information with it. The setup below is for de-identified notes, teaching cases, templates and admin writing; notes about identifiable patients belong in a tool whose vendor signs a BAA with your organization.
Why use voice dictation for SOAP notes?
Typing SOAP notes manually is often slow and prone to errors. Voice dictation helps you:
- Save time: Speak your notes faster than you can type.
- Improve focus: Dictate teaching cases and templates while the details are fresh.
- Reduce errors: AI cleanup ensures proper grammar and punctuation.
Pithflow takes this further with AI cleanup, customizable tones, and support for over 100 languages.
Setting up Pithflow for SOAP notes
1. Download and install
Get started by visiting the Pithflow download page. Install it on your Windows PC and follow the setup instructions.
2. Configure tone and intent
For SOAP notes, a concise tone with the "Refine" or "Summarize" intent works best. These settings ensure your notes are clear and to the point.
3. Personalize your dictionary
Medical terms, drug names, and abbreviations are common in SOAP notes. Use the Personal Dictionary feature to ensure terms like "metoprolol" or "RA" are recognized and spelled correctly.
4. Use snippets for repetitive phrases
With Pithflow's Snippets, you can create voice-triggered expansions for commonly used phrases, such as "The patient reports..." or "Plan includes..." This saves time and keeps your notes consistent.
How to dictate effectively
To get the most from Pithflow, follow these tips:
- Hold the hotkey: Press Ctrl+Space (default), speak your note, then release. Your polished text appears a second or two later.
- Be clear and deliberate: Speak naturally but avoid excessive pauses or very rapid speech.
- Enable hands-free mode: For longer dictation sessions, tap to toggle dictation on and off.
Tip: While Pithflow improves accuracy, always review your notes for critical medical details before finalizing.
Advanced use cases for doctors
Beyond SOAP templates, Pithflow helps with other medical writing that carries no patient data. For example:
- Referral letter templates: Dictate the reusable parts of a referral letter once and save them as snippets; add the patient details in your EHR, not in Pithflow.
- Teaching cases: Write de-identified cases for rounds or teaching with drug names and diagnoses spelled right. Use your dictionary to capture specialized terms.
- Patient education handouts: Explain a diagnosis or a medication plan in plain language, with no patient details, ready to print.
None of these contain patient information, which is the line to hold with any tool that has no BAA. Visit our doctors use cases page for more examples.
How does Pithflow compare?
Here's how Pithflow stacks up against alternatives for SOAP notes:
| Feature | Pithflow | Wispr Flow | Dragon (Nuance) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Platforms | Windows; Mac | Windows, Mac, iOS | Windows (Mac version discontinued in 2018) |
| AI Cleanup | Yes | Yes | No |
| Cost | $99/year | $144/year | Hundreds of dollars |
| Medical Vocabulary | Customizable | Customizable | Extensive |
For de-identified and administrative writing, Pithflow's speed, affordability, and flexibility make it a strong choice. For notes about identifiable patients, use a tool covered by a BAA, such as Dragon Medical.
Mini-scenarios: where it fits
Consider these scenarios:
- Scenario 1: A family physician keeps a library of SOAP note templates as snippets, so each section heading and standard phrase arrives with a short trigger instead of being retyped.
- Scenario 2: A specialist drafts a de-identified case report for a journal. Speaking the narrative sections, which take longest to type, leaves the keyboard for the structured fields.
- Scenario 3: A hospitalist writes discharge instructions in plain language, with no names or identifiers, and saves the good ones as templates.
Each of these stays on the right side of the no-BAA line while still putting voice to work.
FAQs
Is Pithflow HIPAA-compliant?
No. Pithflow is not HIPAA-eligible and does not sign BAAs, so do not dictate protected health information (patient names, identifiers, or case details) with it. Keep dictation to the non-PHI side of your writing — de-identified notes, referral letter templates, patient education materials, and admin email — and always check your organization's policies.
How accurate is the voice recognition?
Pithflow publishes no accuracy figures; adding your terms to the Personal Dictionary, or turning on the Medical term pack in the Dictionary tab, helps it recognize them. However, reviewing your notes is always recommended.
Can I use Pithflow for other types of notes?
Absolutely. Pithflow works across any app with a text field, including email, Slack, and document editors. It’s not limited to SOAP notes.
Does Pithflow work offline?
No, Pithflow requires an internet connection to process voice input and apply AI cleanup.
What does the free tier include?
The free tier provides 2,000 words per week, ideal for light users. For more, consider upgrading to the Pro plan, which offers unlimited dictation. See our pricing page for details.
What devices are supported?
Pithflow runs on Windows 10 and 11, and since September 2026 on Macs running macOS 12 or later. There is no phone app yet. Visit the download page to get started.
Try Pithflow free
Voice dictation that's faster than typing. Hold a key, speak, get clean text in any Windows app. Free tier: 2,000 words a week, no credit card.
