HOPS vs. SOAP

HOPS

• HOPS format focuses on the evaluation and excludes rehabilitation process

  • Easy to use and basic

• Subjective --> history

  • Primary complaint

  • Mechanism of injury

  • Symptoms

  • Related medical history

  • Patient affect

• Objective --> observation, inspection, special tests, palpation

  • Provides appropriate and measurable information

    • ROM, strength, edema, joint instability, etc.

SOAP

• SOAP provides more detail and structure for decision making and problem solving with injury management

  • Utilized more in sports medicine clinics and athletic training facilities

  • Allows for communication between clinicians and other health care professionals

  • More inclusive for injury management process

  • Uses commonly used abbreviations

• Subjective --> history

  • Same as HOPS

• Objective --> observation, inspection, special tests palpation

  • Same as HOPS

• Assessment

  • Clinical impression and interpretation based off of the subjective and objective

• Plan

  • Next steps - treatment, rehabilitation, referrals, re-evaluation, etc.