Writing & Citing (Health Professions): SOAP Notes
General resources for writing and citing in the health professions
Style Guides
- OWL Purdue: SOAP Notes
Free guide to styling SOAP Notes from the Online Writing Lab at Purdue University.
SOAP Notes Explained
"A SOAP note is a form of written documentation many healthcare professions use to record a patient or client interaction...All SOAP notes should include Subjective, Objective, Assessment, and Plan sections, hence the acronym SOAP." - OWL Purdue: Soap Notes
SOAP notes are used in a variety of health professions. Despite the fact that SOAP notes are intended to standardize communication across health professions in health records, the style expectations vary considerable between professions, schools, and workplaces. Consult resources specific to your program of study and/or profession.
SOAP Notes Examples
- Primer on Writing SOAP Notes (Pharmacy)Useful guide to writing pharmacy SOAP notes (from the University of Washington).
- Template for Clinical SOAP Note Format (Physican Assistant)From the University of New Mexico PA program.