Isoaps in Action: Advancing Transformative Practice through Co-Created, Standardized Social Work Documentation

Background and Purpose:

Effective documentation is critical for interdisciplinary collaboration, clinical continuity, and accountability in healthcare systems. However, in social work—particularly within medical settings—documentation practices have historically lacked standardization, resulting in reduced clarity, inconsistent communication, and limited alignment with broader healthcare protocols. In response, a collaborative initiative between Ashkelon Academic College and Clalit Health Services developed and implemented the ISOAPS model (Introduction, Subjective, Objective, Assessment, Plan, Summary), adapting the well-known SOAP format to meet the specific needs of social workers. This study aimed to evaluate the ISOAPS model’s implementation across Israel’s largest public healthcare provider. Research questions focused on changes in the quality and consistency of social work documentation, practitioners' uptake of the model, and its perceived impact on professionalism and interdisciplinary communication.

Methods:

A sequential mixed-methods design was used. The first phase assessed baseline documentation quality through expert review and a survey of 367 social workers. Parallel feedback was gathered from 124 physicians and nurses to evaluate clarity and usefulness of existing documentation. In the second phase, ISOAPS was implemented via a national training program that trained over 600 hospital- and community-based social workers. The third phase included a post-implementation survey (N=369) and semi-structured interviews with 17 social workers to explore experiences with the model. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and independent t-tests; qualitative data were analyzed using narrative and thematic content analysis.

Results: Documentation evaluated as “correct” by reviewers increased from 46% pre-implementation to 61% post-implementation. Among social workers, 83% reported incorporating ISOAPS into their practice, and 81% noted that their documentation had become more standardized. Moreover, 72% felt that their writing had become clearer and more consistent. Qualitative findings revealed that ISOAPS was viewed as a valuable professional tool—enhancing clarity, guiding clinical reasoning, and supporting integration with medical staff. Participants also emphasized the model’s contribution to teaching, onboarding, and reflective supervision.

Conclusions and Implications:

The ISOAPS model exemplifies how academic-practice partnerships can generate scalable innovations that align documentation with both professional standards and system-wide policy demands. Its structured format fosters data-driven practice, enhances interdisciplinary communication, and supports a shared language across professions. As social workers increasingly contribute to outcome-based care and system-wide accountability, standardized documentation becomes not just a technical requirement but a strategic lever for professional recognition and policy influence. The widespread adoption of ISOAPS within Clalit Health Services demonstrates its transformative potential for aligning social work science with frontline practice and institutional priorities—reinforcing the profession’s value within integrated healthcare delivery.