Reflective Blog Page

A Reflective Journey Through Health Sciences Communication

This summer, I discovered that writing in the health sciences is about much more than demonstrating knowledge—it’s about bridging the gap between technical accuracy and human-centered care. Through blog posts, professional projects, peer feedback, and visual resources, I learned how to write for real people: patients, clinicians, students, and caregivers. This blog page reflects on what I created, revised, and learned, offering insight into my development as a writer in kinesiology, physical therapy, and gerontology.

Revising and Expanding My Projects

Project 1: Learning to Write Clinically in Kinesiology
My first project began as a straightforward case study: a clinical scenario paper based on a 65-year-old swimmer with rotator cuff impingement. Initially, I focused heavily on naming anatomical structures. However, in the revised version Project 1 - Clinical Narrative, I emphasized clinical reasoning, patient-focused tone, and structure. I learned to apply the problem-solution format used in SOAP notes and treatment documentation. I clarified movement function, expanded on the plan of care, and cited Brukner & Khan to support my assessment. 

Project 2: How to Write a SOAP Note
For Project 2, I created a visual cheat sheet for PT students. My original submission missed several genre conventions and lacked organization. Overall, I needed to change my approach of how I was presenting my information. After reviewing other examples and receiving lots of important peer feedback, I redesigned the project into a one-page infographic and a introduction cover letter SOAP Note Cheat Sheet. The updated version includes examples, Do's & Don'ts, formatting reminders, and visuals that make SOAP writing approachable. 

Project 3: Writing in the Health Sciences
This resource Project 3 - Health Sciences Guide began as a blog post but became a writing style guide. I structured it to cover tone, genre formats, audience needs, and design strategies for communicating with clarity and empathy. Based on peer feedback, I added an anatomy based image and more hyperlinks to external tools. This revision helped me understand that good writing in health care includes both what you say and how it visually appears. Initially I didn't;t add any visuals at all because there was a lot of information on the blog already but after including a good anatomy visual it felt complete, not cluttered.

 

How My Revisions Were Informed

Revisions were shaped by peer reviews, course lectures, sample analyses, and usability. For instance, my peers pointed out that my Project 2 draft lacked clear examples and external references. That made me realize I wasn’t fully teaching the genre, I was describing it. In revising, I returned to my Physio-Pedia and SimplePractice samples to extract structure and tone. I also received suggestions to embed visuals, which led me to add the annotated anatomy image.

Comparing My Drafts to Final Versions

Each of my final projects became more audience-aware and grounded in evidence. Project 1 moved from a list of facts to a clinical reasoning narrative. Project 3 grew from a vague description to a visual, student-centered reference. Project 2 evolved from a reflective blog to a professional resource that could help future PT or kinesiology students.

How Someone Should Use My Portfolio

My portfolio is designed to be useful. Readers should leave with practical strategies for writing in the health sciences, especially if they are students, early-career PTs, or anyone supporting aging adults. Use it to:

• Learn how to structure a SOAP note 

• Understand how to approach clinical writing with empathy 

• Get tips on balancing tone, design, and evidence

• Explore blog reflections on fitness, aging, and accessibility 

  
  

  
  

What a Successful Writer in This Field Looks Like

A successful writer in health sciences is someone who can communicate with clarity, empathy, and precision. First, they are clear: they avoid unnecessary words and instead use language that is accessible to everyone, from patients to providers. Clarity ensures that the message does not get lost in medical terminology and that everyone involved in care can understand the plan. Second, they are compassionate. This means they prioritize patient voices and consider how language might impact the emotions, confidence, or dignity of the person receiving care. A compassionate writer helps patients feel seen and understood. Third, they are evidence-based. In health sciences, credibility depends on citing reliable data and referencing up-to-date research. Writers who ground their communication in facts build trust and support high-quality care. Finally, successful writers are also visual. They use formatting techniques such as bullet points, white space, charts, and images to enhance readability and support different learning styles. Whether they are creating patient education materials or clinic documentation, these writers make design choices that reinforce their message. They use formatting and graphics effectively.

My writing guide reflects these principles. For example, in my Writing in the Health Sciences blog, I show how to write for both patients and professionals by using examples like SOAP notes and educational handouts. I included links to external tools, such as NIA infographics and AAOS patient materials, to demonstrate effective health communication.

What My Work Teaches Others

My blog and projects reveal that writing in kinesiology and physical therapy is not just clinical, it's relational. Most students know they need to write SOAP notes, but they might not know how much tone, clarity, and audience matter. My resources provide simple, visual entry points into what can otherwise be overwhelming genres.

What a General Audience Might Learn

Even non-healthcare readers can benefit from this portfolio. They might learn:

• That aging adults value functional strength over aesthetics (Rethinking Fitness Goals After 65)

• That physical therapy is underused despite being highly effective (Is Physical Therapy Worth It?)

• That inequities in access to PT persist, especially in rural and low-income communities (Unequal Access to PT)

What I Learned About Reading and Writing in My Field

I learned that clinical writing has to do many things at once: document facts, support reasoning, follow standards, and serve patient care. I also learned that a blog can be both personal and professional. My favorite assignment was the Project 2 revision, where I turned a confusing draft into a usable tool. It made me realize that visual clarity is just as important as content.

What I Learned About Myself as a Writer

I learned that I value simplicity and purpose. I don’t just write to sound smart; I write to make ideas easier to act on. I also discovered that writing about movement, injury, and aging helps me connect my academic work with real-world impact. 

Why This Will Matter in My Future

As a future physical therapist, I’ll need to write treatment plans, patient notes, progress summaries, and even advocacy pieces. This class taught me how to use writing not just as a tool, but as a form of care. It also gave me a start on building a public-facing platform that combines my knowledge of movement and aging with inclusive communication.

This blog isn't just a class portfolio! It's the foundation of a professional voice I'm still developing. Through each revision and reflection, I've grown more confident in my ability to write for people, not just professors. Whether it's a SOAP note, a blog post, or a care plan, I now know how to write with clarity, credibility, and care. That is what I will carry with me into physical therapy and beyond. 

One unexpected takeaway from this journey is how much writing has helped me shape my professional identity. I didn’t anticipate that reflecting on case studies or designing infographics would influence how I see myself—not just as a student, but as someone entering a field where communication is part of the job, not separate from it. Each project taught me something different about the kind of physical therapist I want to be: thoughtful, resourceful, and able to connect across different roles and experiences. Writing became a space where I could clarify not just information, but intention. It helped me test out my voice, my values, and how I want to show up for others.

As I move forward, I’ll keep writing—not only because it’s required, but because it helps me think, adapt, and lead. This portfolio marks the start of that mindset. It’s not just a record of what I’ve done—it’s a preview of who I’m becoming.

Thank you for following along! 

~Peyton Phillips