SubjectiveWhat the client SAYS – their descriptions. When speaking with your client, you would
learn many things about them, some of which is relevant to how you treat / manage
them.
E.g. This might include chief complaint, goals, feelings (e.g., fears, motivation,
likes/dislikes), history (e.g., progress/setbacks), opportunities/limitations (e.g. access to
resources & equipment, other health conditions), perceived barriers to exercise, etc…
Objective
Not opinion – measured / observed. Objective information could include:
– Anthropometrics (e.g. height, weight)
– Vital signs (e.g. BP, HR)
– Tests (e.g. 2+) that would have been done by a specialist or GP that
would lead to this diagnosis condition – include justification* and
plausible results.
– Relevant exercise capacity tests (e.g. 3+) – include justification* and
plausible results. These should be non-redundant and relevant to
assessment and plan
You will need to add (invent) relevant subjective information – imagine you are
interviewing your client – what might they say, given their situation?
We are looking for you to research the client/condition and consider the relevant
questions (and realistic answers)
You will need to add (invent) relevant information. E.g. given the
client/condition, what medical tests (and realistic results) would be likely for
diagnosis? As an exercise physiologist, what exercise tests (and realistic results)
would inform your assessment and plan? Don’t forget brief justification for these.
Assessment / Analysis
Your assessment / analysis / interpretation of the objective and subjective information
Plan
What do you plan to do with / for client?
Use Newell’s model of constraints to interpret individual / task / environmental
constraints. What are some constraints you can see that will impact this client?
Considering you are the exercise physiologist, what additional allied health
professionals (e.g. 3+) will you be engaging with? Provide justification*
Only include RELEVANT information.
Use your own research and ESSA manual to explain / interpret the results of the
How you will progress the client in an exercise program – what is their exercise
objective section. How do results compare to relevant normative data (e.g., percentiles) prescription? (Consider their condition and the research / guidelines)
and/or established classification cut-points?
– Provide FITT exercise prescription, with justification*, examples,
progression, contraindications, etc.
*These are modified SOAP notes. For example, you would not normally provide explicit justification. However, we need you to think about WHY you doing things. As a professional, you need
to be able to justify your decisions and not waste resources (including time). Are you doing something because it is logical and evidence supports it, or are you doing it for non-justifiable
reasons? This is about critical thinking – you need to be able to apply this to yourself and others, or you risk being and ineffective practitioner and/or being sold snake oil by charlatans!
References: APA 7th referencing
Writing: Clear and concise: SOAP notes are brief – e.g. clear bullet points, not lengthy paragraphs. Use shorthand & common abbreviations, as long as message is still clear