Getting Started with ParrotPadMD

Welcome to ParrotPadMD — medical dictation that works in any web-based EHR, on Mac, Windows, or Chromebook.

Step 1: Install the Extension

  1. Visit the Chrome Web Store
  2. Click Add to Chrome
  3. Click Add extension in the popup
  4. You'll see the ParrotPadMD icon appear in your browser toolbar

Tip: Pin the extension for easy access — click the puzzle piece icon, then the pin next to ParrotPadMD.

Note: Chrome may show a "Proceed with caution" message during installation. This is standard for newer extensions that haven't yet built usage history with Google's Enhanced Safe Browsing. ParrotPadMD is HIPAA-compliant and safe to install — just click Continue to install to proceed.

Alternative: Scratchpad Web App

If Chrome extensions are blocked at your workplace, or you need to dictate into desktop applications like Microsoft Word, use our Scratchpad web app:

  1. Visit parrotpadmd.com/app
  2. Sign in with your ParrotPadMD account
  3. Tap the microphone to dictate
  4. Copy the text and paste it anywhere

Install as an App: On mobile or desktop, look for "Install" or "Add to Home Screen" in your browser menu. The Scratchpad works offline and launches like a native app.

The Scratchpad supports all the same voice commands and macros as the extension — it's just designed for copy/paste workflows instead of direct text insertion.

Step 2: Sign In

  1. Click the ParrotPadMD icon in your toolbar
  2. Sign in with Google, Microsoft, or Email link
  3. Select your medical specialty (this optimizes vocabulary recognition)
  4. Click Continue

Step 3: Your First Dictation

Quick Start (Keyboard Shortcut)

The fastest way to dictate is with the keyboard shortcut:

  1. Click on any text field in your EHR
  2. Press Alt/Opt+A to start recording
  3. Speak your note naturally, using voice commands for punctuation
  4. Press Alt/Opt+A again to stop and insert the text

Using the Overlay

  1. Click the ParrotPadMD icon → Click Start Dictating
  2. A crosshair appears — click the text field where you want text inserted
  3. The overlay shows a red recording indicator
  4. Speak your note
  5. Click Stop or press Alt/Opt+A to finish

Understanding the Recording Flow

Targeting Mode

When you start recording, ParrotPadMD enters "targeting mode":

⊕ Click the text field for dictation or press Esc to skip
  • A prompt appears: "Click the text field for dictation"
  • Move your cursor over text fields — valid targets highlight in green
  • Click to select where your text will be inserted
  • Or press Esc to skip targeting and use notepad-only mode

During Recording

While recording, you'll see:

Recording 0:05
  • A pulsing green border on your targeted field
  • A recording indicator with a timer
  • Live audio waveform visualization

After Recording

When you stop:

  1. Audio is sent to Google Cloud for transcription
  2. Text is processed (punctuation, capitalization)
  3. Text is inserted at your cursor position
  4. A backup copy is saved to the built-in Notepad

The Dictation Pad (Notepad)

Every transcription is automatically saved to the built-in Notepad. Access it by clicking the notepad icon on the overlay.

Dictation Pad
The patient is a 45 year old male presenting with chest pain. He reports the pain started two hours ago...

When to use the Notepad:

  • As a backup if text insertion fails
  • For canvas-based editors like Google Docs (automatic)
  • To review or copy previous dictations
  • To copy text manually when needed

Overlay States

The floating overlay has three states:

State What It Means
Minimized (green pill) Ready to record. Click to expand.
Recording (red indicator) Currently recording audio
Transcribing Processing your audio
Ready Alt/Opt+A

Hiding the Overlay

  • Click × on the overlay to hide it for this tab
  • Re-show it from the popup menu (click the extension icon)
  • The overlay remembers its state per-tab

Keyboard Shortcuts

Shortcut Action
Alt/Opt+A Start/Stop Recording
Option/Alt+1 Insert Macro 1 (Normal Exam)
Option/Alt+2 Insert Macro 2 (ROS Negative)
Option/Alt+3 Insert Macro 3 (Vital Signs Normal)

Example Dictation

You say:

"The patient is a 45 year old male presenting with chest pain period He reports the pain started two hours ago comma is substernal in location comma and radiates to his left arm period new paragraph Review of systems is otherwise negative period"

You get:

The patient is a 45 year old male presenting with chest pain. He reports the pain started two hours ago, is substernal in location, and radiates to his left arm.

Review of systems is otherwise negative.

Tips for Best Results

  1. Speak naturally — Don't over-enunciate or speak too slowly
  2. Pause briefly for punctuation — A slight pause before "period" or "comma" helps
  3. Use a quiet environment — Background noise affects accuracy
  4. Consider a headset — Better audio quality than laptop microphones
  5. Trust the medical vocabulary — Say drug names and procedures naturally

Next Steps