The SOAP medical abbreviation stands for Subjective, Objective, Assessment and Plan, the four headings of one of the most widely used formats for writing a clinical note. Each letter is a section, and together they tell the story of a visit in a set order.
Doctors, nurses, physical therapists, pharmacists, counselors and many others write SOAP notes. Patients see them in portal visit notes, and students practice them from the first semester. Below, each section is explained with sample lines, along with variants such as SOAPIE and tips for writing a clear one.
At a glance
Stands for
Subjective, Objective, Assessment, PlanKind of term
An acronym for a note structure, not a diagnosisWritten as
SOAP, S.O.A.P., SOAP noteUsed in
Medicine, nursing, therapy, pharmacy, counselingVariants
SOAPIE, SOAPIER, APSORelated
What each letter of the SOAP medical abbreviation means
| Letter | Section | What goes there |
|---|---|---|
| S | Subjective | What the patient or family reports: symptoms, concerns, history in their words |
| O | Objective | What can be measured or observed: vital signs, exam findings, lab and imaging results |
| A | Assessment | The clinician's interpretation: diagnosis, working impression or progress |
| P | Plan | What happens next: tests, treatments, teaching, follow up |
In SOAP medical terminology, the order moves from information gathered to thinking to action. That flow makes a note easy for the next reader to scan, whether they are covering a shift or reviewing care weeks later.
The subjective and objective sections up close
The S section often opens with the chief complaint, then the history of present illness, past history and a review of systems. Quotes are common, such as patient states "my knee hurts when I climb stairs." Pain scores the patient gives belong here too.
The O section holds facts the clinician can check. Typical entries are temperature, pulse, blood pressure, a focused exam, test results and what was observed during the visit. A simple rule many teachers use: if the patient said it, it is subjective; if you measured or saw it, it is objective.
Assessment and plan in practice
The A section is where the writer pulls the facts together. It may list a confirmed diagnosis, a short differential diagnosis when the cause is still uncertain, or, in therapy and nursing notes, progress toward goals.
The P section turns that thinking into steps. It can be organized by problem, with each issue getting its own plan. Entries might include medicines started or changed, referrals, patient education and when to return.
Short sample: S: Cough for 4 days, no fever at home. O: T 98.8 F, lungs clear, SpO2 98 percent. A: Likely viral upper respiratory infection. P: Fluids, rest, return if short of breath or fever. This shows the layout only.
SOAP variants you may see
Some settings add letters. SOAPIE adds Intervention and Evaluation, common in nursing, so the note records what was done and how the patient responded. SOAPIER adds Revision for changes to the care plan.
APSO keeps the same parts but moves assessment and plan to the top, because busy readers often want the conclusion first. Other formats, such as narrative notes or focus charting, exist too, and each facility chooses what fits its staff and record system.
SOAP medical acronym tips for students
- Keep each piece in its own box; do not slip exam findings into the subjective part.
- Use approved abbreviations only, and spell out anything on your facility's do-not-use list.
- Make the plan match the assessment, so every problem listed has a next step.
- Write so a colleague who has never met the patient can follow the visit.
SOAP notes are full of other shorthand. The nursing abbreviations guide covers many of the terms you will meet in each section, from VSS to NAD.
Reading a SOAP note as a patient
If your portal shows a SOAP note, the assessment and plan sections usually answer the questions most people have: the clinician's working view of the problem and the next steps. The subjective part should match what you told them; if something looks wrong, you can ask the office to review it.
A visit note is written for the care team and may use brief wording. Your clinician is the best person to explain any part that seems unclear or worrying.
Frequently asked questions
What does SOAP stand for in medical terms?
SOAP stands for Subjective, Objective, Assessment and Plan. It is a format for organizing a clinical note into four sections.
Is SOAP an abbreviation or an acronym?
It is an acronym, because it is said as a word, though some people spell it out as S O A P. It names a note structure rather than a condition or test.
Who writes SOAP notes?
Physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, nurses, therapists, pharmacists and mental health counselors all use the format. Each field adapts it to its own kind of visit.
What is the difference between SOAP and SOAPIE?
SOAPIE adds Intervention and Evaluation to the four basic parts. It is popular in nursing because it records what was done and how the patient responded.
Is a pain score subjective or objective?
A pain score the patient reports is subjective, so it goes in the S section. Signs the clinician observes, such as guarding or grimacing, are objective.