# Gnumed user interface

Getting to know GNUmed isn't hard. Most of GNUmed's functionality is provided via so called plugins. A plugin is a part of the user interface and can be switched on or off. This means depending on the setting of your workstation (e.g. laboratory, examination rooms, reception) you can choose which plugins to load and which not to.

One part of GNUmed which will always be visible no matter which plugins you load is the patient search panel, the topmost area of the GNUmed user interface. This is the place where you can activate the patient's record you will work with. Typing in a name or even a part of the name and hitting the Return key will activate the patient for GNUmed to use. For a detailed description of the patient search panel features with all its shortcuts take a look at the Patient Search Panel guide.

GNUmed will not let you access some functionality until you activate a patient.

Having chosen a patient, this patient's age as well as allergies will be shown right next to name in the top panel. You are now free to use patient dependent features.

Select a plugin by either hitting the notebook tab at the bottom of the user interface or select ist via the menu above the patient selection panel

Don't forget to periodically monitor GNUmed's status line. It is divided into the right part which will diplay the current date and time and even more important the left part which is used to communicate all kinds of messages to you. It might display errors, hints and much more.

Next: Basic Patient Handling