Whether you're a medical student, in rotations, or starting residency: chart management is a skill — or survival tool — every future physician needs.

And at the risk of doubling down on a metaphor: if SOAP notes are your compass, they're only useful if we know what's North.

We'll break down common SOAP note examples used in patient care, with free templates that you can download and use today.

How to write a SOAP note

SOAP is more than a format, it's a cognitive framework for how we diagnose and treat patients.

Dr. Larry Weed founded the SOAP methodology after a career in both medicine and scientific research. By peaking behind both curtains, he created "the problem list," a clear way to capture the patient and clinician's POV to find a diagnosis.
Based on the acronym, SOAP notes consist of four parts:

1. Subjective
2. Objective
3. Assessment
4. Plan

Let's break it down.

Subjective section: Here you can document your patient's subjective experience and chief complaints. This may include their:

• Current symptoms (Chief Complaints)
• History of present illness (HPI)
• Past medical history (PMI)

Objective section: This contains objective data gathered by healthcare providers during the patient's visit. This includes observable facts like:

• Vital signs
• Physical exam findings
• Lab results
• Other diagnostic tests

Assessment and Plan (A&P) section: Where healthcare providers provide a professional analysis of the patient's condition based on the subjective and objective information gathered.

SOAP note templates

Download these free templates:

• Prerounding template
• Standard SOAP note template

Prerounding template

Before formal rounds, medical students and residents preround. You'll see patients, review charts, and formulate a plan.

When you come back with the attending, you'll present everything in SOAP format.

Prerounding is different than a standard SOAP note example— it's #1 goal is efficiency. Here you'll distill overnight changes, exam findings, and next steps into a format that’s quick to reference and easy to present on the spot.

💡 Download for free: Get in Portrait 1pt/pg or Landscape 3pts/pg.

Standard SOAP note template

Ready for the field? The SOAP methodology balances thoroughness with practicality.

Adapt this standard SOAP note example to your practice and specialty.

💡 Download for free: Download and use this standard SOAP note template here or the up/down version here

SOAP note tips and best practices

Want more than just a template? We spoke with real clinicians in the field to get their insights on the dos and don'ts of note-taking.

1. Keep your eyes on patient outcomes

It's easy to micro-focus on the checklist in front of you, but that's not why you're entering healthcare.

Dr. Weed himself said, "We’re really not taking care of records; we’re taking care of people. . . . This record cannot be separated from the caring of that patient. . . . This is the practice of medicine.”

Dr. Shaun Ormond, who's dual board-certified in Anesthesiology and Interventional Pain Management, says to avoid these two mistakes:

"Don't ignore the patient's goals. Always check what the patient wants, whether it’s less pain, more mobility, or better sleep.

And don't forget daily function: Pain is more than a number—it’s about how it affects their life." — Dr. Shaun Ormond, Atlas Pain Specialists

To aid you in writing the best SOAP notes, you can try out the following:

2. Stick to the format

We don't need to reinvent the wheel. Whether you go with SOAP notes, APSO, or DAP, what matters most is that you logically outline the patient data you need.

Erica D., The NP Charting Coach has dedicated her life outside of the field to helping other clinicians finish notes on time.

Here's what she has to say about the importance of formatting:

“Writing chart notes can feel overwhelming. But utilizing a SOAP note format tells clinicians exactly how to write a medical note that is easy to read and ensures important information is included.” — Erica D, NP Charting Coach

2. Try an AI scribe

AI scribes (or AI medical scribes) are becoming the fastest way to get SOAP notes done.

Like any medical scribe, these tools listen in the background to transcribe and write notes in SOAP format.

Dr. Julie Johnson gave Freed a try. Here's what she has to say.

"My stress level has decreased significantly during my work day. I now have the freedom to just listen, ask questions, and focus on the patient and not on trying to capture the fine details of the visit."

Sign up for a Freed free trial— no credit card required.

Make the most out of your SOAP notes

The key to SOAP notes isn’t just what you write, but how efficiently you capture what matters—for your patients, your team, and yourself.

Download the templates, apply best practices, and find a system that works for you — because great notes don’t just check a box, they improve patient care.

Freed is the most clinician-focused company in the world. Try our AI scribe for free today.