Format Control: The Biggest Time-Saver

Learn to get AI outputs in exactly the format you need—tables, bullet points, numbered lists, or structured templates. Stop reformatting manually.

You learned the 5-part prompt formula in the previous article (Role + Task + Context + Constraints + Output). Now we focus on the Output component—specifically, how to control the format of what AI gives you.

This is where you will save the most time in your daily practice.

What Problem This Solves

Every day, doctors waste 10-15 minutes reformatting AI outputs. You ask for patient instructions, and you get a wall of text. You need a medication schedule, and you get paragraphs. You want a quick WhatsApp message for a patient, and you get a formal essay with headers and bullet points that break on mobile.

The core problem: AI gives you content in its preferred format, not yours.

The solution: Tell the AI exactly how you want the output structured—before it starts writing.

When you master format control, you get outputs that are:

Ready to paste directly into your EMR
Ready to print as patient handouts
Ready to send on WhatsApp without editing
Ready to use in discharge summaries

No more copy-paste-edit-reformat. Get it right the first time.

How to Do It (Steps)

Step 1: Decide on Your Target Destination

Before writing your prompt, ask: Where will this output go?

Destination	Best Format
EMR/clinical notes	SOAP structure, short paragraphs
Patient handout	Bullet points, simple language
WhatsApp message	Short sentences, no special formatting
Discharge summary	Headings + sections
Comparison for patient	Table
Procedure steps for staff	Numbered list

Step 2: Add a Format Line to Your Prompt

Use one of these phrases at the end of your prompt:

Format: Bullet points, maximum 6 points
Format: Numbered steps, 1 line per step
Format: Table with columns for [X], [Y], [Z]
Format: SOAP note structure
Format: Short paragraphs, 2-3 sentences each
Format: WhatsApp-ready (plain text, no bullets or headers, under 300 characters)
Format: Discharge summary with headings

Step 3: Specify Length Constraints

Always add length limits:

Limit: Under 200 words
Limit: Maximum 5 bullet points
Limit: One paragraph only
Limit: Fit on one A4 page
Limit: Under 500 characters (for WhatsApp)

Step 4: Mention Language and Reading Level

For patient-facing content:

Language: Simple English, Grade 6 reading level
Language: Hindi, conversational tone
Language: English + Hindi (bilingual)
Tone: Calm, reassuring, no medical jargon

Example Prompts

Example 1: Medication Schedule as Table

You are a patient education assistant.

Create a medication schedule for a diabetic patient on the following medicines:
- Metformin 500mg twice daily
- Glimepiride 1mg once daily before breakfast
- Atorvastatin 10mg at night

Format: Table with columns for Medicine Name, Dose, Time, and Special Instructions.
Language: Simple English.
Limit: Fit on half an A4 page.

Example 2: Post-Procedure Instructions as Numbered Steps

You are a patient instruction writer for an Indian OPD.

Write post-procedure care instructions for a patient who just had a skin biopsy.

Format: Numbered steps, one instruction per step.
Include: Wound care, warning signs, when to return.
Language: Simple English, Grade 6 reading level.
Limit: Maximum 8 steps.

Example 3: WhatsApp Follow-Up Message

You are helping a doctor send a follow-up reminder.

Write a WhatsApp message reminding a hypertension patient to:
- Take their BP reading daily
- Return in 2 weeks with readings
- Continue current medicines

Format: Plain text only. No bullets, no headers, no special characters.
Tone: Friendly but professional.
Limit: Under 300 characters.

Example 4: Discharge Summary with Sections

You are a discharge documentation assistant.

Create a discharge summary for a 55-year-old male admitted for acute gastroenteritis, treated with IV fluids and antibiotics, now stable.

Format: Discharge summary with these headings:
- Admission Date / Discharge Date
- Diagnosis
- Treatment Given
- Condition at Discharge
- Medicines on Discharge
- Diet Instructions
- Follow-Up
- Warning Signs

Language: English, formal medical documentation style.
Limit: One page.

Example 5: Comparison Table for Patient Decision-Making

You are a patient counselling assistant.

Create a comparison table for a patient choosing between medical management and surgery for gallstones.

Format: Table with columns for Factor, Medical Management, Surgery.
Include rows for: Success rate, Recovery time, Risks, Cost estimate (India), Best suited for.
Language: Simple English, patient-friendly.
Limit: 6-8 rows maximum.

Bad Prompt → Improved Prompt

Bad Prompt

Tell me about diabetes diet for my patient.

What you get: A 500-word essay with paragraphs, medical terms, and no clear structure. You spend 10 minutes reformatting it into something you can actually give the patient.

Improved Prompt

You are a patient diet counsellor for an Indian diabetic clinic.

Create a simple diet guide for a newly diagnosed Type 2 diabetic patient.

Include:
- Foods to eat freely
- Foods to eat in moderation
- Foods to avoid
- Sample meal plan for one day (Indian meals)

Format: Bullet points under each heading.
Language: Simple English, no medical jargon.
Limit: Fit on one A4 page, maximum 20 bullet points total.

What you get: A structured, print-ready handout that you can give to the patient immediately.

Common Mistakes

Mistake 1: Forgetting to Specify Format

If you do not specify format, AI defaults to paragraphs—almost never what you need for clinical work.

Fix: Always include a Format: line in your prompt.

Mistake 2: Asking for “Brief” Without Numbers

“Keep it brief” means different things to different people (and to AI).

Fix: Use specific limits: “Maximum 5 points” or “Under 150 words.”

Mistake 3: Using Markdown for WhatsApp

You ask for bullet points, then paste into WhatsApp. The asterisks and dashes look messy on mobile.

Fix: For WhatsApp, specify: “Plain text only, no bullets, no headers, no special characters.”

Mistake 4: Not Matching Format to Audience

A table is great for your reference, but a 70-year-old patient may find it confusing.

Fix: Consider who will read the output. For elderly patients or low-literacy audiences, use short numbered steps or simple paragraphs.

Mistake 5: Asking for Too Many Formats at Once

“Give me a table, then bullet points, then a paragraph summary” confuses the AI and gives you a mess.

Fix: One format per prompt. If you need multiple formats, make multiple prompts.

Clinic-Ready Templates

Template 1: OPD Prescription Instructions

You are a patient instruction writer for an Indian OPD.

Convert this prescription into patient-friendly instructions:
[PASTE PRESCRIPTION HERE]

Format: Numbered list with one medicine per number.
Each item should include: Medicine name, dose, timing, whether to take with food.
Language: Simple English (or specify Hindi/regional language).
Add a note at the end: "Complete the full course. Do not stop without consulting your doctor."
Limit: Maximum 10 lines.

Template 2: Discharge Summary (Standard Indian Format)

You are a discharge documentation assistant for an Indian hospital.

Create a discharge summary with the following details:
Patient: [AGE, GENDER]
Admission: [DATE]
Discharge: [DATE]
Diagnosis: [DIAGNOSIS]
Treatment: [BRIEF TREATMENT SUMMARY]
Condition: [STABLE/IMPROVED/OTHER]

Format: Standard discharge summary with headings:
1. Patient Details
2. Date of Admission / Date of Discharge
3. Final Diagnosis
4. Treatment Given
5. Condition at Discharge
6. Medicines on Discharge (table format)
7. Diet and Activity Instructions
8. Follow-Up Date and Instructions
9. Warning Signs to Watch For

Language: English, formal medical documentation.
Limit: One to two pages maximum.

Template 3: Quick Reference Table for Staff

You are a clinic operations assistant.

Create a quick reference table for front desk staff on [TOPIC - e.g., "which patients need urgent doctor attention"].

Format: Table with columns for Symptom/Situation, Action Required, Urgency Level.
Include: [LIST 5-7 COMMON SCENARIOS]
Language: Simple English, clear action words.
Limit: Fit on one A4 page, maximum 10 rows.

Safety Note

Format does not equal accuracy. A beautifully formatted table can still contain incorrect medical information.

Always verify clinical content before using any AI-generated output—regardless of how professional it looks.

Format control helps with presentation and time-saving. It does not replace your clinical judgment.

Never use AI-generated content directly for:

Medication dosing without verification
Diagnosis statements
Emergency care decisions

The format may be perfect. The content still needs your expert review.

Copy-Paste Prompts

Prompt 1: Bullet Points for Patient Instructions

You are a patient education assistant for an Indian clinic.

Create simple instructions for a patient with [CONDITION].

Include: [KEY POINTS TO COVER]

Format: Bullet points, maximum 6 points.
Language: Simple English, Grade 6 reading level.
Start each point with an action word.

Prompt 2: Numbered Steps for Procedures

You are a clinical instruction writer.

Write step-by-step instructions for [PROCEDURE/TASK].

Format: Numbered list, one clear action per step.
Limit: Maximum 10 steps.
Language: Simple English.
Include a "Do not" section at the end with 2-3 warnings.

Prompt 3: Table for Medication Schedule

You are a patient medication assistant.

Create a medication schedule table for these medicines:
[LIST MEDICINES WITH DOSES]

Format: Table with columns: Medicine | Dose | Morning | Afternoon | Evening | Night | Special Instructions
Use checkmarks or "X" to show timing.
Language: Simple English.
Add a row for "Notes" at the bottom if needed.

Prompt 4: WhatsApp-Ready Message

You are helping a doctor communicate with a patient via WhatsApp.

Write a message about: [TOPIC - e.g., appointment reminder, test results ready, follow-up instructions]

Format: Plain text only. No bullets, asterisks, or special formatting.
Tone: Friendly, professional, respectful.
Limit: Under 400 characters.
Do not include any diagnosis or specific medical advice.

Prompt 5: Comparison Table for Counselling

You are a patient counselling assistant.

Create a comparison to help a patient understand their options for [CONDITION/TREATMENT CHOICE].

Options to compare: [OPTION 1] vs [OPTION 2]

Format: Table with these rows: How it works, Benefits, Risks, Recovery time, Cost range (India), Best suited for.
Language: Simple English, no jargon.
Add a note: "Discuss with your doctor to choose the best option for you."

Do’s and Don’ts

Do’s

Do specify format in every prompt (bullets, table, numbered list, etc.)
Do include length limits (word count, number of points, page limit)
Do match format to destination (EMR, handout, WhatsApp, etc.)
Do specify language and reading level for patient materials
Do use “plain text only” for WhatsApp messages
Do verify all clinical content regardless of format quality

Don’ts

Don’t assume AI will guess your preferred format
Don’t use vague words like “brief” or “short” without numbers
Don’t request multiple formats in one prompt
Don’t paste formatted output into WhatsApp without checking
Don’t confuse good formatting with accurate content
Don’t skip the verification step because the output “looks professional”

1-Minute Takeaway

Format control is the fastest way to save time with AI.

Every prompt should end with three things:

Format: Bullets, table, numbered list, or plain text
Limit: Word count, number of points, or page length
Language: Reading level and tone

Memorise this phrase and add it to every prompt:

Format: [bullets/table/numbered steps/plain text]
Limit: [number of words/points/pages]
Language: [Simple English/Hindi/bilingual], [reading level if patient-facing]

Get the format right the first time. Stop reformatting. Start seeing more patients.

Next article: B3 — Asking for Clarification Like a Pro (How to make AI ask you the right questions before answering)