A dot phrase is a colloquial term for a preformed block of text that is inserted using keyboard shortcuts, often preceded by a dot. For example “.LBP” might pull in a block of text related to low back pain. Most EHRs have this capability, both for organization-level and individual user-created content.

We’ve included this repository of evidence-based dot phrases to help articulate your patients SDOH needs and to justify your use of the resources available on this site in your patient documentation for each visit or encounter.

You can click on the copy button next to each dot phrase to paste directly into your note or into your EHR’s dot phrase page. Please refer to your specific EHR’s documentation for further instructions on how to use dot phrases.