SOAP is a common template used by all healthcare professionals to present clinical information in a formatted and concise way. It is also an easy way to present, understand and remember clinical information. SOAP is a type of problem oriented clinical record.

SOAP, commonly called a SOAP note is a method of documentation employed by doctors and other healthcare providers to write out notes in a patient's chart, along with other common formats, such as admission notes.

The Subjective describes the patient's current conditions in a narrative form. The Objective provides vital signs, findings from physical exams and lab tests. The Assessment gives a summary of symptoms and makes a diagnosis. The Plan describes what the healthcare provider will do to treat the problem. Health Care Professionals (HCPs) use SOAP to document a patient's condition in their chart, general communication, presenting patient cases, diagnosing and treating patients and presenting clinical papers. SOAP is the format that doctors use to document records in a patient's chart. It is an organized way to keep a record of patient's chief complaints, signs, symptoms, test results, diagnosis and treatment plan. SOAP is also used for general communication such as how a paramedic team communicates with the ER team. When you one team hands off a patient to another team you might hear a conversation like this; I have an adult white male approximately 48 years old complaining of chest pains, blood pressure is 120/70, pulse is 65, suspect possible myocardial infarction recommend 10 mg of epinephrine. In just 10 seconds the paramedic team provided patient information to the ER team using the SOAP format. This format is also what doctors follow when they diagnose and treat patients. The subjective is where the doctor asks the patient about the History of the Present Illness (HPI). During the objective the doctor conducts the physical exam and other tests. The assessment is where the doctor forms a diagnosis and the plan reveals how the patient will be treated.

SOAP is used to present clinical data because it maximizes your time with physicians, it is the way doctors read and present literature, it speaks their language and it is problem focused. In a 2008 Sermo physician Survey 87% of doctors surveyed wanted more or significantly more use of clinical studies and evidence based medicine in their discussions with sales representatives. This was an increase of 7% from a 2003 study.

When SOAPing a study be sure you focus on a single problem from beginning to end. This keeps the doctor focused on one issue for the entire presentation. It is important to limit your presentation of data to 2 minutes and remain conversational. Also stay away from using I, me, we and my company. As soon as you say my company did a study, the data is not seen as objective. The doctor thinks if your company conducted the study it couldn't be objective. Be careful to use third person verbiage such as Dr. Smith, he, his or they. Do not sell!!! This is a presentation of clinical data not a sales presentation. Know the entire reprint. Don't ever present a study that you have not read all the way through.   Doctors read studies on their own and may turn to the back page and say, "this sentence contradicts what you just said." Oh no! Don't be embarrassed, read the whole study.

On your next call, paint a picture of a problem patient that your product or service can solve.

Dr. Smith, I would like to review today how Zofar can allow your seasonal allergic conjunctivitis patients to be symptom free for up to 24 hours.

Subjective: 34 YOM presents with itchy, watery eyes that flare up every day.   

Objective: Ocular exam reveals conjunctival injection and watering. Patient also complained of itching.  Current medication wears off by 3 pm.

Assessment: Seasonal Ocular Allergy with Associated Contact Lens Intolerance.

Plan:   Recommend allergy treatment with Zofar QD, discontinuation of Contact Lenses .