Talking with the patient

How to write a SOAP note

Other platforms explain it with text and video. In VMS you practice it on the patient.

MD / DOPA
Practice it in VR with Blocky

A SOAP note tells the next clinician what happened and why. A clear note supports safe, continuous care.

Step by step

  1. Subjective

    Write the main complaint and history in the patient's words, with relevant symptoms, medicines and allergies. [1]

  2. Objective

    Record vital signs, exam findings and lab and imaging results. Facts only. [1]

  3. Assessment

    Give a one-line summary, the most likely diagnosis and a short differential with your reasoning. [1]

  4. Plan

    For each problem, list tests, treatment, patient education and follow-up. [1]

  5. Be concise and accurate

    Avoid copying old notes forward without checking, and avoid unapproved abbreviations. [2]

  6. Sign and time

    Sign the note with the date and time. [1]

Common errors

Practice it in VMS

In VMS you do this on the patient, not on paper: every step goes on the checklist with a score, and in Teach mode Blocky tells you what comes next.

VMS cases that train this skill

Sources

  1. AAMC Core Entrustable Professional Activities (Core EPAs)
  2. The Joint Commission, National Patient Safety Goals
  3. AHRQ Health Literacy Universal Precautions Toolkit (Teach-Back)

Facts and steps follow AAMC Core Entrustable Professional Activities (Core EPAs); AHRQ Health Literacy Universal Precautions Toolkit (Teach-Back). VMS is not affiliated with these organizations. Updated: 2026-10-11.