How to use Trackers and Journals
Trackers and Journals are versatile tools that can be used to collect client information, build insight and establish routines. Both trackers and journals can be customised with various field options such as rating scales, photos, and text input, allowing you to capture and share information over time and monitor a variety of metrics such as fatigue, mood, or exercise.
As a clinician you can create trackers and journals using the dashboard or via the app, as well as set-up reminders and nudges to prompt clients to complete them. You can view client entries, although it is worth noting that data visualisation and export can only be done from the dashboard.
Clients can add and view entries via their app, as well as create, and personalise their own.
Trackers are created using a combination of fields such as ratings, text input, etc. A tracker must have a measurable “main tracked field” which is ‘tracked’ over time. This data is automatically graphed, allowing clinicians and clients to spot trends and visualise progress. For example, a client with fatigue could use a tracker to rate their energy levels throughout the day.
Journals also use a combination of fields and can be used for a variety of purposes such as note taking, diaries, and more. However, journals do not require a measurable field. For example, a client with retrospective memory impairment could use a journal with photo, location and rating scale to log memories throughout the day. This can then be used as an external memory aid by the client, and help establish a logging and reflection compensatory strategy routine.
Possible Fields
There are different types of entry fields that can be added to a tracker or journal:
- Explainer text - This is fixed text you write when setting the journal/tracker (e.g. to explain the purpose, set the scene, or provide instructions.
- Short text - A space to write a brief comment or note.
- Long text - For more detailed comment or note (e.g. a diary entry).
- Rating scale - To rate something. You can select the scale size (e.g. out of 6), text of the scale labels, and symbol (e.g. stars).
- Image - To take a picture or upload one previously taken.
- Yes/No - A check box to confirm if something has been done or not.
- Number - For numbers and you can set minimum or maximum accepted numbers.
Each field (apart from explainer text) requires a name that will show to help the client know what to enter. Fields can also be set to be ‘Required to save entry’ to make it mandatory.
How Clients Complete Trackers and Journals
Clients complete their trackers/journals by making 'entries' into their app. A completed entry will automatically show on the clients Home screen for the day and time it was completed, and all entries for a specific Tracker/Journal (as well as adding a new one) can be accessed from the “Tools” tab:
When creating a tracker/journal, you have the option for a ‘quick add’ button which will give the client an option to add an entry from the home screen of their app:
You can also create reminders and nudges to alert the client to complete entries.
Creating Trackers and Journals
From the Dashboard
From the App
The process for creating Journals is much the same (see Creating Journals using the neumind app video for details).
Using Reminders and Nudges for Clients to Complete Entries
It is often useful to alert the client to log a tracker or journal such as completing a fatigue log for morning, afternoon and evening. When creating or editing a tracker/journal, you have the option to set-up a reminder for your client to complete it, reminders can also be added after after creation from the specific Tracker/Journal's page:
See our article How do I set a reminder for a client using the dashboard for more information about setting reminders.
Nudges can also be linked to trackers/journals in the same way as reminders, which can be useful when completing a tracker or journal is not time-sensitive but regular entries is still valuable.
When the alert from a reminder or nudge goes off, the client will be prompted to add an entry. And, in the case of reminders, it will automatically be marked complete:
Watch this video to see how reminders can be added to journals or trackers.
Templates (currently only available using the app)
When you set a journal or a tracker from the app you can pick from pre-set templates or create one from scratch. Templates have pre-set fields but you can still edit them when you set them up.
Visualising Client Data and Viewing Entries
From the Dashboard
This video shows what data you will see on the dashboard when a tracker is filled out:
From the App
To view a client's entries using the neumind app is just like how the client views entries, however you must first select the client you wish to view the entries for: