OTA's Guide to Documentation: Writing SOAP Notes

Now updated to its Fourth Edition, The OTA’s Guide to Documentation:: Writing SOAP Notes contains the step-by-step instruction needed to learn occupational therapy documentation and meet the legal, ethical, and professional documentation standards required for clinical practice and reimbursement of services. Written in an easy-to-read- format, this Fourth Edition by Marie J. Morreale and Sherry Borcherding will aid occupational therapy assistants (OTAs) in learning the purpose and standards of documentation throughout all stages of the occupational therapy process and different areas of clinical practice. Essentials of documentation, reimbursement, and best practice are reflected in the many examples presented throughout The OTA’s Guide to Documentation:: Writing SOAP Notes, Fourth Edition , including a practical method for goal writing (COAST), which is explained thoroughly. Worksheets and learning activities provide the reader with multiple opportunities to practice observation skills and clinical reasoning, learn documentation methods, create occupation-based goals, and develop a repertoire of professional language. Answers to all the worksheets are provided to enable independent study, and a detachable summary sheet can be pulled out and carried to clinical sites as a reminder of the necessary contents for a SOAP note. Templates are provided to assist beginning OTA students in formatting occupation-based SOAP notes and the task of documentation is broken down into smaller units to make learning easier. Other formats and methods of recording client care are also explained, such as the use of electronic health records and narrative notes. This text also presents an overview of the initial evaluation process delineating the roles of the OT and OTA and guidelines for implementing appropriate interventions.