What you'll accomplish
By the end of this guide, you'll be able to record a 2-minute voice summary immediately after every home visit — in your car before you drive away — and have it automatically transcribed so you can expand it into a full case note later. No more trying to remember what you observed 3 hours later when you're finally at your desk.
What you'll need
- A smartphone (iPhone or Android)
- The Otter.ai app (free to download)
- An Otter.ai account (free tier allows 300 minutes/month)
- Time needed: 15 minutes to set up; 2 minutes per visit after that
- Cost: Free (300 min/month); $17/month Pro for more minutes
How-To Guide: Use Otter.ai to Capture Home Visit Notes Instantly
Step 1: Download and set up Otter.ai
On your smartphone, go to the App Store (iPhone) or Google Play (Android) and search for "Otter.ai." Download the app. Open it and create a free account using your personal email.
- Open the app — it shows a blue-and-white interface with a large record button
- Tap "Sign up" and create an account with your personal email
- Skip the team/organization setup (you're using this personally)
What you should see: A home screen showing a large orange/red record button and any previous recordings. Troubleshooting: If the app asks for microphone permission, allow it — the app can't work without it.