Neurology · Templates

Headache evaluation template

Designed for headache clinic and general neurology visits where phenotype, red flags, disability, and acute/preventive strategies need a clean structure.

Template content

Copy or download, then paste into Wavo under My Templates.

Headache Evaluation Note

Headache History
- Onset age, attack frequency (days/month), duration, intensity (0–10), and location/laterality.
- Quality (throbbing, pressure, stabbing), aura (visual/sensory/speech), associated symptoms (nausea, photophobia, phonophobia, osmophobia, autonomic features).
- Triggers, menstrual association, and circadian pattern.
- Disability impact (work/school missed; MIDAS or HIT-6 if obtained).

Red Flags / Secondary Features
- Sudden/thunderclap onset, neurologic deficit, fever/neck stiffness, cancer/immunosuppression, pregnancy, trauma, progressive pattern, positional change, or age >50 with new headache.
- Document presence or absence of concerning features discussed.

Current & Prior Treatments
- Acute medications (dose, frequency, response) and monthly acute-medication days.
- Preventives tried with dose, duration, benefit, and reasons stopped.
- Risk of medication-overuse headache.

Exam
- Vitals; focused neurologic exam including fundoscopic exam if performed.
- Relevant musculoskeletal or sinus findings if assessed.

Data Reviewed
- Prior imaging, LP, labs, or headache diary data as discussed.

Assessment
- Headache diagnosis (e.g., migraine without aura, chronic migraine, TTH, MOH, cluster) and secondary-headache risk assessment.

Plan
- Acute treatment strategy and limits to avoid overuse.
- Preventive therapy initiation/changes and expected timeline to benefit.
- Lifestyle counseling, imaging if indicated, referrals, and follow-up.
- Return precautions for red-flag symptoms.

When to use this template

What makes the structure useful, and which visits it fits best.

Why this template works

Structural advantages for real documentation

Best for

Visit types and clinicians who use this format

  • Separates migraine features, secondary-headache red flags, and medication overuse risk.
  • Captures disability (MIDAS/HIT-6) when discussed without forcing unused scores.
  • Supports acute and preventive plans in one assessment/plan block.
  • Useful starting point for AI specialty templates in headache-focused practices.
  • 1New headache or migraine consultations
  • 2Complex headache follow-ups with regimen redesign
  • 3Medication-overuse headache evaluations

Example output shape

Illustrative excerpt of how a visit can land in this structure. Not a real patient record—review and edit every note before signing.

Headache History
32-year-old with headaches since teens, now 12 headache days/month for 8 months. Attacks are unilateral throbbing, 7/10, with nausea and photophobia; occasional visual zig-zag aura ~20 minutes. MIDAS 18. Triggers include menses and poor sleep.

Red Flags
No thunderclap, fever, focal deficit, or progressive daily continuous pattern. Neurologic exam nonfocal previously; none today.

Treatments
Uses sumatriptan 100 mg ~10 days/month with good relief; ibuprofen other days. Failed topiramate for cognitive side effects. Not on current preventive.

Exam
BP 118/70. Alert, CN intact including pupils; fundi sharp. No focal motor/sensory deficit. Neck supple.

Assessment
Chronic migraine without aura; high acute-medication days concerning for emerging MOH risk. No secondary red flags today.

Plan
Start candesartan 4 mg daily, titrate per protocol. Limit triptan/NSAID to ≤2 days/week when possible; consider gepant bridge education. Sleep and trigger diary. No imaging indicated today. Follow up 8 weeks; ED for thunderclap, focal deficit, or fever with stiff neck.

How Wavo automates this

What the product actually does with your template.

1. Add the template

Paste this content into My Templates, or start from a specialty-generated template and edit the sections.

2. Record or dictate

Capture the encounter with ambient recording or dictation. Wavo structures the note using your template.

3. Review and sign

Edit with Smart Transform if needed, then export or copy into your EHR. You stay responsible for the final note.

Put this template to work on your next visit

Start free, paste the template, and see how Wavo documents in your structure.