SOAP Notes – Plan Section Guide
The Plan section of the SOAP note outlines your intended course of action for the patient’s treatment going forward. It is based primarily on the goals set for the patient, with an option to include additional provider notes.
🧭 How the Plan Section Works
The Plan section is automatically generated based on the treatment goals you’ve set or reviewed in the “Review Goals & Progress” section.
⚠️ Important: Goals and the Plan section will only be available if the Global Pain Scale (GPS) was completed during the Subjective section of the first appointment.
📋 What to Document in the Plan Section
1. System-Generated Goals
These goals form the core content of the Plan.
They reflect the clinical direction of care and are based on:
GPS scores
Patient-reported pain and function
Missed workdays and medication usage
2. Optional Free-Text Comments
Use the optional text box to capture additional planning or treatment considerations. Examples:
New techniques you intend to introduce
New body areas to target in the next session
Planned patient education topics
e.g., “Next session I plan to review posture correction and ergonomic tips for workstation setup.”
This free-text field provides flexibility to address patient-specific strategies, but it is not required if system goals are sufficient.
✅ Best Practices
Be clear and forward-thinking in your comments. The Plan section can help demonstrate clinical reasoning and continuity of care.
If you set new goals during a session, ensure they are reviewed with the patient and reflected in both the Review Goals and Plan sections.
Use this section to support requests for continued care, extensions, or adjustments to the treatment plan.
🔒 Note on Availability
If the patient did not complete the GPS on their first visit, the Plan and Goal sections will not auto-populate.
Encourage patients to complete the GPS fully during their initial appointment to enable long-term tracking and care planning.