In which section of the SOAP note would you document patient education and short-term goals?

The correct answer is the Plan section of the SOAP note. This section is dedicated to outlining the next steps in a patient's care management, which includes patient education and short-term goals. Documenting patient education in the Plan not only details the information shared with the patient but also specifies the objectives that are aimed to be achieved in the near future.

In the context of patient care, establishing short-term goals is essential for guiding treatment and ensuring that both the patient and healthcare provider are aligned on the expected outcomes. This keeps the patient informed about what they can expect and helps to motivate them in their treatment process.

The other sections—Subjective, Objective, and Assessment—serve different purposes. The Subjective section captures the patient’s verbal expressions regarding their symptoms and feelings, the Objective section contributes measurable data from examinations and tests, and the Assessment synthesizes this information to provide a diagnosis or clinical judgment. Therefore, the Plan is specifically where strategies for implementation, including education and goals, are documented to support the patient’s health journey.