# Encounters Overview

## Overview

Encounters in Welkin represent interactions between a care team member and a patient. An encounter can be a scheduled office visit, a telehealth call, a phone check-in, or any structured patient interaction that generates a clinical record.

## What an Encounter Includes

Each encounter contains:

* **Encounter type** – the category of visit (e.g., Initial Intake, Follow-up, Telehealth, Phone)
* **Date and time** – when the encounter occurred or is scheduled
* **Assigned clinician** – the care team member responsible for the encounter
* **Status** – Draft, Scheduled, In Progress, Completed, or Cancelled
* **Notes** – clinical documentation written during or after the encounter
* **Assessments** – forms or assessments completed as part of the encounter
* **Outcome / Disposition** – the result of the encounter and any follow-up actions

## Encounter Workflow

The typical encounter workflow in Welkin:

1. **Schedule** – an encounter is created and scheduled for a future date
2. **Prepare** – the care team member reviews the patient profile before the visit
3. **Conduct** – the encounter takes place; notes and assessments are completed in real time or shortly after
4. **Finalize** – the clinician reviews the draft, makes any final edits, and marks the encounter as Complete
5. **Follow-up** – tasks or automations triggered by encounter completion create next steps

## Encounter Types

Encounter types are configured in the Designer and determine which assessments, templates, and workflows apply. Common types include: Initial Consultation, Follow-up, Telehealth, Group Session, Phone Check-in.

For instructions on creating and managing encounters, see [Encounters](/care/encounters/encounters.md) and [Create, Modify, Complete Encounters](/care/encounters/encounters-create-modify-complete.md).

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## Related Pages

* [Encounters (list view)](/care/encounters/encounters.md)
* [Create, Modify & Complete Encounters](/care/encounters/encounters-create-modify-complete.md)
* [Encounter Draft Mode & Finalizing Notes](/care/encounters/encounters-draft-mode-and-finalizing-notes-assessments.md)
* [Encounters in the Patient Profile](/care/encounters/encounters-in-the-patient-profile.md)


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