Think You’re Ready for Clinical Rotations? Prove it!
Before stepping into real-world clinical settings, practice one of the most essential skills every healthcare professional needs: writing SOAP notes. Using Symptom Media’s powerful video simulations, you’ll step into the role of the clinician, observe a patient encounter, and document your findings just as you would in practice. This interactive assignment challenges you to apply your knowledge, sharpen your clinical reasoning, and build confidence in your ability to translate observation into professional documentation.
What are SOAP Notes?
SOAP notes are a standardized method of documenting patient encounters used across healthcare disciplines. The acronym stands for Subjective, Objective, Assessment, and Plan. This structure helps clinicians organize patient information, communicate clearly with colleagues, and ensure continuity of care. SOAP notes are an essential skill for students preparing for clinical rotations, as they bridge observation with clinical reasoning and treatment planning.
Let’s Get Started!
Using a Symptom Media video case study, you’ll observe a patient encounter, then apply your clinical reasoning to create a SOAP note just as you would in a real-world setting.
Learning Objectives
By completing this assignment, you will be able to:
- Apply clinical observation and listening skills to assess a patient.
- Organize patient information into a structured SOAP note format.
- Practice identifying relevant subjective and objective findings.
- Develop assessment and plan sections that reflect critical thinking and appropriate clinical decision-making.
Instructions
Watch the Assigned Symptom Media Video Case
-
- Observe carefully as if you are the clinician in the room.
Take notes on the patient’s presentation, including verbal and nonverbal communication
Write Your SOAP Note
Use the following structure:
-
-
- S: Subjective – What the patient reports (symptoms, concerns, history, etc.).
- O: Objective – What you observe (appearance, affect, vital signs if provided, clinician observations).
- A: Assessment – What you think is going on (possible diagnosis, clinical impression).
- P: Plan – Next steps (labs, referrals, interventions, follow-up, patient education).
-
- Interactive Component (Optional Class Activity or Online Discussion)
- Post your SOAP note in the discussion board (or bring to class).
- Review at least two peers’ notes. Compare similarities and differences in observations, assessment, and plan.
- Participate in a group discussion or instructor-led debrief to explore different clinical reasoning approaches.
By completing this SOAP note assignment, you’ve practiced the same skills you’ll rely on during clinical rotations and beyond. Careful observation, structured documentation, and critical thinking. Symptom Media’s video simulations provide a safe, engaging way to build these competencies before you encounter real patients. Or are you currently in your clinicals and not seeing certain mental health conditions or acute patient populations? Ready to take your training even further?
Grading Criteria (Optional Example Rubric)
- Accuracy of Subjective Data (20%) – Did the student capture key patient-reported concerns?
- Accuracy of Objective Data (20%) – Did the student note relevant clinician-observed data?
- Assessment Quality (25%) – Did the student provide a clear, logical impression supported by evidence?
- Plan Quality (25%) – Did the student create a realistic, patient-centered plan?
- Professionalism & Format (10%) – Clarity, organization, and SOAP format adherence.
Gravida dictum fusce ut placerat orci. In ornare quam viverra orci sagittis. Fermentum dui faucibus in ornare quam. Purus viverra accumsan in nisl nisi scelerisque eu ultrices. Non nisi est sit amet facilisis magna. Nunc consequat interdum varius sit amet. In ornare quam viverra orci sagittis eu. Id diam maecenas ultricies mi eget. Felis imperdiet proin fermentum leo vel orci porta non pulvinar. Praesent elementum facilisis leo vel fringilla est.