OET Sample Letter for Physiotherapists: Tips & Case Notes Analysis

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.

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

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.

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)

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.

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

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

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