What is an Encounter?
ConceptOverview
An Encounter is the clinical visit or service event for a client. Documentation such as clinical notes is typically associated with the encounter so the chart remains organized and auditable.
When is it used?
Encounters are used when:
- A scheduled appointment is carried out
- A clinician documents care for a visit
- Staff review visit history on the client chart
How it relates to other records
| Related record | Relationship |
|---|---|
| Appointment | Often leads to or links with an encounter |
| Clinical Note | Documents details for the encounter |
| Client | The person associated with the encounter |
| Care Plan | May guide goals addressed during the encounter (if used) |
Screenshot placeholderEncounter detail page linked to a client and appointmentAdd image under docs/public/images/
::: note Exact encounter creation rules (automatic vs manual) can vary by clinic configuration. Confirm the workflow used in your environment. :::
Related concepts
- Appointment
- Clinical Note
- Client
- Care Plan