Encounter context

Encounter context provides the agent with clinical history before the conversation through the encounterContext API parameter. The encounterContext object contains the field unstructuredContext, which accepts free-form text that gives the service background that isn’t spoken aloud during the visit. When you include encounter context, the agent uses it to enrich the generated documentation with background information that was not explicitly discussed during the visit. Encounter context is optional — if you omit it, the session still runs, but providing it helps the service generate a more accurate and complete note, because providers rarely restate a patient’s full history out loud.

Encounter context can include:

You provide this text once per session, in the configuration event. It applies to the whole session.

Size limit

For example, the word José is 4 characters but 5 bytes in UTF-8 (the é is two bytes). A context block full of accented patient names, non-Latin text, or symbols reaches the 20 KB ceiling with fewer visible characters than an all-ASCII block. When you are near the limit, count bytes, not characters.

Character support

unstructuredContext accepts a broad, Unicode-aware set of characters so that you can pass realistic clinical text, including international patient names and common medical notation.

Supported characters:

The entire string must match the pattern. A single unsupported character anywhere in the string causes the whole context to be rejected.

Sanitize before you send

If your source system (for example, an EHR) can emit characters outside the supported set, sanitize the text before you submit it. Common strategies:

Before / after

Before:  Temp 38°C, follow-up in 2–3 weeks — see notes.
After:   Temp 38 degrees C, follow-up in 2-3 weeks - see notes.

Formatting context as Markdown

The supported set includes the |, #, *, [, ], (, ), {, and } characters, so you can format context as Markdown — including headings, lists, and tables — to present structured information clearly. For example, a medication list as a Markdown table:

## Current medications

| Medication | Dose   | Frequency   |
| ---------- | ------ | ----------- |
| Lisinopril | 10 mg  | Once daily  |
| Metformin  | 500 mg | Twice daily |

Example encounter context

## Patient Information
Name: Patricia Underwood
Age: 28 years
Sex: female
Pronouns: she/her
MEDICATIONS:
Ondansetron 4mg PO PRN - Nausea/vomiting
Dicyclomine 20mg PO BID PRN - Abdominal cramping
Sertraline 50mg PO daily - Depression
Ferrous sulfate 325mg PO TID - Iron deficiency anemia
ALLERGIES: NKDA (No Known Drug Allergies)
PAST MEDICAL HISTORY:
Brainstem pilocytic astrocytoma diagnosed 04/2010
Posterior fossa craniotomy with gross total resection 05/12/2010
Hyperprolactinemia diagnosed 08/2013
Autoimmune hemolytic anemia diagnosed 12/2012
Splenomegaly secondary to autoimmune hemolytic anemia 01/2013
Major depressive disorder diagnosed 08/2012
Substance use disorder (heroin) in sustained remission since 04/2011
Tobacco use disorder, quit 09/15/2013 (10 pack-year history)
Iron deficiency anemia diagnosed 01/2013
Gastroesophageal reflux disease diagnosed 05/2013
Appendectomy 07/23/2009 (uncomplicated laparoscopic)
Wisdom teeth extraction 11/08/2008
FAMILY HISTORY:
Maternal grandmother: Cervical cancer, ovarian cancer, dementia/Alzheimer's
Maternal aunt: Cervical cancer
Paternal grandfather: Type 2 diabetes, hypertension, kidney transplant
Maternal great-grandfather: Colon cancer
Multiple maternal great-uncles: Colon cancer
No family history of breast, uterine, or cardiac disease
SOCIAL HISTORY:
Tobacco: Former smoker, quit 09/15/2013 (10 pack-year history)
Alcohol: Not documented
Illicit drugs: History of IV heroin use, abstinent since 04/2011, occasional marijuana use
Sexual history: Single, sexually active, monogamous relationship since 05/2012
Previous relationship with military personnel ended 03/2012
Employment: Lives independently, employed
Contraception: Not currently using
Former plasma donor, discontinued 10/2013 due to positive syphilis screening
PROBLEM LIST:
History of brainstem pilocytic astrocytoma (C71.7) - Diagnosed 04/2010 with posterior fossa craniotomy and gross total resection 05/12/2010. Annual MRI surveillance shows post-surgical changes, no residual tumor. Most recent MRI 10/18/2013 normal. Followed by neurology with annual visits.
Hyperprolactinemia (E22.1) - Diagnosed 08/2013 with prolactin 45.2 ng/mL (normal 25). Referred to neurology for pituitary evaluation. Recent MRI 10/18/2013 shows normal pituitary gland. Not currently on treatment. Neurology follow-up scheduled.
Autoimmune hemolytic anemia with splenomegaly (D59.1) - Diagnosed 12/2012-01/2013. Positive direct Coombs test, elevated LDH 420 U/L, low haptoglobin 10 mg/dL, reticulocyte count 8.2%. Associated splenomegaly. Managed by primary care physician. On iron supplementation for concurrent iron deficiency.
Major depressive disorder, mild (F32.0) - Diagnosed 08/2012. Started sertraline 50mg daily 09/08/2012 with good response. Stable mood, no current suicidal ideation. Continues on current regimen.
Substance use disorder (heroin), in sustained remission (F11.21) - History of IV drug use, abstinent since 04/2011. Not currently in formal treatment program. Maintains abstinence, occasional marijuana use.
Iron deficiency anemia (D50.9) - Diagnosed 01/2013 concurrent with autoimmune hemolytic anemia. Started ferrous sulfate 325mg TID 01/14/2013. Recent Hgb 9.8 g/dL, Hct 29%, MCV 102 fL.
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (K21.9) - Diagnosed 05/2013. Managed with lifestyle modifications. Symptoms of nausea and vomiting, taking ondansetron and dicyclomine PRN.
RECENT LABS (Various dates 2013):
Prolactin: 45.2 ng/mL (08/22/2013, elevated)
CBC: Hgb 9.8, Hct 29%, MCV 102 fL (10/28/2013)
Direct Coombs: Positive (01/14/2013)
LDH: 420 U/L, Haptoglobin 10 mg/dL (01/14/2013)
MRI brain with contrast: Normal pituitary, post-surgical changes only (10/18/2013)
Pap smear: Normal cytology, HPV negative (11/15/2012)
Mammogram: BI-RADS 1, normal (02/28/2013)