Overview
Square brackets are a simple way to separate template instructions from the clinical text Motics should produce. Use them to tell the AI how to structure, omit, format, or phrase sections without making those instructions appear in the final note.
Why use square brackets?
Keep the same headings and section order across notes.
Hide irrelevant sections when a topic was not discussed.
Control formatting, such as bullet points, short paragraphs, or one-line summaries.
Set house style, such as UK spelling and clinician-facing language.
Core pattern
Write the section heading that should appear in the output, then place the instruction in square brackets immediately below or next to it.
Assessment [Summarise the likely diagnosis, relevant differentials, and key clinical reasoning. Use concise bullet points.]
Conditional sections
If a section should appear only when discussed, be explicit. Weak wording can still produce placeholder text such as "None reported".
Instead of:
Risk and Governance [Only include if mentioned]
Use:
Risk and Governance [Omit this entire heading and section if risk, safeguarding, adverse events, or governance issues were not discussed. Do not write "none reported", "no concerns", or "not mentioned".]
Common examples
[Only include this section if discussed in the consultation.][Omit the heading and section entirely if there is no relevant information.][Use bullet points. Keep each point under one sentence.][Write this section in patient-friendly language.][Include relevant positives and negatives where mentioned.]
If square brackets become normal brackets
Type the square brackets directly in the template editor.
If copying from Word, email, or another app, paste as plain text and re-add the brackets.
Avoid nested brackets inside the same instruction.
Save, refresh, and reopen the template to confirm the brackets remained as
[ ].
If Motics still includes unwanted text
Make the instruction more direct.
Tell Motics what not to write, such as
Do not write "none reported".Regenerate the same session after saving the template.
If the issue continues, try Nightingale or Wilkins for complex sessions.
Best practice checklist
Use one bracketed instruction per section.
Put conditional rules next to the heading they control.
Do not make one bracketed instruction control the whole template unless it is a global rule.
Test template changes using Regenerate before routine use.
Review the final note before copying, downloading, sending, or pushing to an EHR.