OET Sample Letter for Physiotherapists: Tips & Case Notes Analysis

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Given below is the preparation of a sample OET physiotherapy letter based on Official OET Case notes for physiotherapists. It is written by a physiotherapist and addressed to a GP. This scenario highlights the importance of accurately selecting and summarizing key details from the case notes by focusing on the possible diagnosis and relevant symptoms. Pay attention on how the sample physio letter emphasizes structure, effective use of transitions, and inclusion of only the relevant case notes.

Follow the 35 tips given in the physio letter sample, and you will find that securing A or B for OET writing sub-test is much easier than thought.

OET Case Notes for Physiotherapy
Header: Date, Recipient’s Address, Greeting and Re: Line
Introduction – Patient’s Profile, Medical Condition & the Purpose
Body Paragraph 1 – Background for commencing physiotherapy
Body Paragraph 2 – Reason for Writing the Letter
Body Paragraph 3 – Examination Findings and Discussion
Conclusion – Requesting Actions to be Performed
Closing Sentence – Not Included in Word Count
Complimentary Close – Yours…
Mock Test – Assess Your OET Writing Skills
Final Sample OET Physiotherapy Letter
Quiz – Test Your OET Knowledge

1. OET Case Notes for Physiotherapy

Official Physiotherapy Case Notes

First, let us structure the header part of the sample physiotherapy referral letter and see what information should be included there.

2. Header: Date, Recipient’s Address, Greeting and Re: Line

Date (As specified in the case notes (e.g., “Assume that today’s date is …”)

Recipient’s Full name with Title (Provided in the case notes)
Designation/job title
Address

Greeting: Begin with (Dear ……. ) (Second name of the recipient with appropriate title)

Reference line: Include (Re: the patient’s full name & DOB)

Tip 1: Use ‘20 January 2022’ as the preferred style at the beginning.

Tip 2: dd/mm/yyyy is the preferred date format in the reference line and paragraphs. (Maintain consistency when use date formats in the reference line and paragraphs.)

Tip 3: It is acceptable to interchange the order of the Date and Recipient’s Details.

Tip 4: The order of the Greeting and Reference Line can also be interchanged.

Tip 5: If date of birth (DOB) is provided, include that in the reference line. If the patient’s age is also given, mention it in introduction.

Tip 6: Be mindful of spelling. Whether using British or American spelling, ensure consistency throughout the letter and avoid mixing the two styles..

15 May 2021

Dr Sara Rahimian
Stillwater Private Practice

124 Main Street
Stillwater

Dear Dr Rahimian

RE: Mrs Doris Abrams, DOB: 03/04/1976

Let’s follow a step-by-step guide to structure and compose each OET paragraph effectively.

3. Introduction
Patient’s Profile, Medical Condition & the Purpose

The purpose of an OET letter should be immediately clear to the reader; therefore, introduction is the right place to specify the purpose of writing.

The introduction includes the patient’s full name, presents medical issue and outlines the reason(s) for writing the OET letter.

Tip 7: Remember that not including the purpose can impact your OET writing your score negatively.

Tip 8: Refer to the ‘Note’ and ‘Writing Task’ sections in the case notes to clearly identify the purpose.

Tip 9: You may use the word ‘regarding your patient’ as the patient is already known to the reader.

Tip 10: Keep the introduction concise to make the purpose immediately apparent to the reader.

TIP 11: Avoid secondary information/details that may detract from the introduction’s clarity and objective.

Tip 12: Use the patient’s full name with the appropriate title on the first instance, especially for adult patients.

Tip 13: In introduction, the purpose should be general information related to expected care/action. A specific & detailed plan should be included in conclusion.

Tip 14: Avoid using note/short forms; it is informal. For example, ↓

Tip 15: Avoid using the verb ‘refer’ as the letter is written to the patient’s GP, who is already familiar with her. (Refer = To introduce a patient to another healthcare professional for the first time.)

Guide to writing patient’s name in an OET letter

Introduce the patient.

Refer to ‘PATIENT DETAILS’, ‘Social Background’ and ‘Medical History’.

Mrs Doris Abrams

Address: 840 Oceanview St, Stillwater

DOB: 03 Apr 1986 (35 y.o.)

Social background: Married – husband James Abrams

Sport – plays netball once/week

Hiking once or twice/year

Magazine editor (full-time)

Medical history: 2019 Shoulder dislocation

03 Jan 2021 Wrist sprain (right) – The patient’s recent visit is related to this

Medical Complaint: Refer Possible Diagnosis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA)

Reason for writing the letter: Refer Writing Task.

… requesting further investigation
The introduction of your OET Physio letter is now

I am writing regarding your patient, Mrs Doris Abrams, who is receiving physiotherapy for wrist sprain. She has features of rheumatoid arthritis that requires further investigation.

4. Body Paragraph 1
Background for commencing physiotherapy

Tip 16: Relevant information. Include only relevant details that the GP needs to know for managing the patient’s care effectively..Tip 17: Irrelevant information. Avoid mentioning irrelevant information or details already familiar to the GP.

Tip 18: Pronouns: Refrain from using pronouns for the patient when mentioning them for the first time in a paragraph.

Tip 19: Use the patient’s last name with a appropriate title when referring to an adult patient at the start of a paragraph.

Tip 20: Do not using short forms such as ↓; it is informal and inappropriate for professional communication.

Tip 21: Avoid using outdated/informal/academic connectors.

Refer to information dated ‘03 Jan 2021’ and ‘10 Jan 2021’ under ‘Treatment Record’ to summarize the reason for the recent visit to the physiotherapist.

Social background: Married – husband James Abrams

Sport – plays netball once/week

Hiking once or twice/year

Magazine editor (full-time)

Family history: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) – maternal uncle & grandfather (This information can be included as a reminder.)

Medical history: 2019 Shoulder dislocation

03 Jan 2021 Wrist sprain (right)

Weight: 55kg

Height: 165cm

BMI: 20.2 (healthy)

Current medication: None

Treatment record:

03 Jan 2021

Presenting complaints:

Pain in R wrist. Suspects injured during netball game 2 days ago

Dull pain, mostly at night, difficulty sleeping

Physical assessment:

Swelling R wrist

Some pain on flexion

Diagnosis: R wrist sprain

Treatment: Rest, ice, exercises, Tubigrip (elastic compression bandage)

Review in 1 week

10 Jan 2021

Progress: ↓swelling

Recommended treatment:

– Resistance exercises with bands (gradual start to regain strength)

– Return to training – in 1 week if comfortable

Pt to contact practice if injury not settling as expected
OET Case Notes Selection Guide

5. Body Paragraph 2
Reason for Writing the Letter (Most Recent Presenting Complaints)

Tip 22: Include Relevant information/details related to suspected rheumatoid arthritis to assist the GP in forming a diagnosis and planning the further course of action.

Tip 23: Avoid using brackets and short forms as they are informal. Rephrase without using them.

Tip 24: Refrain from using ‘the/this/my/a patient’; as they can sound less polite or professional.

Refer to information dated ‘15 Jan 2021’ under ‘Treatment Record’ to summarize the latest complaints.

15 May 2021

Presenting complaints:

Dull aching pain – in fingers, occasionally feet, not related to activity, varies in presentation

Sleep – disturbed by aching in hand/feet joints at night

Morning stiffness – lasts at least 1hr

Fatigue (unusual for her)

Pt reports ↓appetite & weight loss (↓2kg)

Let’s organise relevant OET physiotherapy case notes and compose the body paragraph 2 as shown below.

Today, Mrs Abrams complained of aching pain in her hands and feet, unrelated to activity. The pain caused sleep disturbance and morning stiffness for more than one hour in the joints of her hands and feet. She also reported experiencing fatigue, loss of appetite and a 2kg weight loss.

6. Body Paragraph 3
Examination Findings and Discussion

Tip 25: Avoid using note/short forms as they are informal. For instance, avoid symbols like &.Refer ‘Examination’ and ‘Discussion’.

Examination: Hands & feet – joints warm & red-looking

Pain on resisted grip testing of hands

Gait in bare feet – compromised by discomfort

Possible diagnosis: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) – Already mentioned in the introduction

Discussion: Pt reports previous concern re possible RA risk (family history)

Pt agrees to see usual GP (Dr Rahimian)

7. Conclusion
Expected Care/Action by the Reader

This paragraph can be written as follows.On examination, Mrs Abrams’ feet and hand joints were warm to touch and red. She had pain on resisted grip testing of her hands and a compromised gait while walking barefoot. She reported her previous concerns about her family history of rheumatoid arthritis.

After outlining the patient’s complaints and examination findings, conclude the letter by clearly explaining its purpose and specifying what action is expected from the reader.

Refer ‘Discussion’ and ‘Treat ment’.

Pt agrees to see usual GP (Dr Rahimian) – will return to physio for further education &

management if diagnosed with RA

Treatment: GP review for further investigation – blood tests & X-rays as necessary

Tip 26: Write an introductory phrase to connect the conclusion to the above-mentioned information.

Tip 27: Ensure all relevant details regarding the expected care or action are included.

Tip 28: Maintain a polite an formal tone throughout the conclusion

Thus, the conclusion of the OET physiotherapy letter can be written as follows.

Given the above, Mrs Abrams requires further investigation, including blood tests and X-rays. Please note, she mentioned returning to me for further education and management if RA is confirmed.

8. Closing Sentence
(Not included in Word Count)

Tip 29: Rest assured, the closing sentence is not counted toward the word limit. However, omitting a closing sentence may negatively impact your OET writing score.Tip 30: A typical polite closing sentence allows the reader to follow up with the writer for additional information about the patient.

Tip 31: Ensure the closing sentence is polite and free of informal language or phrases.

For any further information, please contact me.

Guide to writing the Closing Sentence in an OET letter

9. Complementary Close
Yours…

Tip 32: Use appropriate salutations in your OET Physiotherapy letter.Yours sincerely (If the name of the recipient is given.)

Yours faithfully (If the name of the recipient is NOT given.)

Tip 33: Include your profession or designation as indicated in the case notes. Optionally, you may add the name of the hospital or organization.

Tip 34: It is not necessary to include your name in this section.

Tip 35: Leave a single blank space between all sections.

(In this case, the name of the reader is given.)

Yours sincerely,
Physiotherapist

Guide to writing OET letter complementary close

Let’s take a Sample OET Physio Mock Test now.

10. OET Writing Mock Test
Let’s take a Sample OET Physio Mock Test now.

Dr Sara Rahimian
Stillwater Private Practice
124 Main Street
Stillwater

Dear

Re: Mrs Doris Abrams, DOB: 03/04/1986

I am writing regarding patient, Mrs Doris Abrams, who is receiving physiotherapy for a wrist sprain. She has features of that requires further investigation. On 03/01/2021, Mrs Abrams was commenced on treatment for a right wrist sprain, which she attributed to playing two days previously. On review after a week, she reported improvement and was advised to commence resistance exercises with bands to ease her return to training in one week.

Today, Mrs Abrams complained of aching pain in her hands and feet, unrelated to activity. The pain caused sleep disturbance and morning for more than one hour in the joints of her hands and feet. She also reported experiencing fatigue, loss of appetite and a 2kg weight loss.

On examination, feet and hand joints were warm to touch and . She had pain on resisted grip testing of her hands and a compromised gait while walking barefoot. She reported her previous concerns about her family history of rheumatoid arthritis.

Given the above, Mrs Abrams requires further investigation, including blood tests and . Please note, she mentioned returning to me for further education and management if RA is confirmed. For any further information, please contact me.

Yours
Physiotherapist

/ 10

11. Final Sample OET Physiotherapy Letter

Dr Sara Rahimian
Stillwater Private Practice
124 Main Street
Stillwater

15 May 2021

Dear Dr Rahimian

Re: Mrs Doris Abrams, DOB: 03/04/1986

I am writing regarding your patient, Mrs Doris Abrams, who is receiving physiotherapy for a wrist sprain. She has features of rheumatoid arthritis that requires further investigation.

On 03/01/2021, Mrs Abrams was commenced on treatment for a right wrist sprain, which she attributed to playing netball two days previously. On review after a week, she reported improvement and was advised to commence resistance exercises with bands to ease her return to training in one week.

Today, Mrs Abrams complained of aching pain in her hands and feet, unrelated to activity. The pain caused sleep disturbance and morning stiffness for more than one hour in the joints of her hands and feet. She also reported experiencing fatigue, loss of appetite and a 2kg weight loss.

On examination, Mrs Abrams’ feet and hand joints were warm to touch and red. She had pain on resisted grip testing of her hands and a compromised gait while walking barefoot. She reported her previous concerns about her family history of rheumatoid arthritis.

Given the above, Mrs Abrams requires further investigation, including blood tests and X-rays. Please note, she mentioned returning to me for further education and management if RA is confirmed. For any further information, please contact me.

Yours sincerely
Physiotherapist