OET letter writing is categorised in 3 types mainly. These are
It’s important to note that regardless of the type of letter, the approach to writing an OET letter is the same.
A referral letter is typically addressed to a new medical professional with a request for specific care/investigations/management.
Given below is the preparation of a sample referral letter (medicine) based on Official OET case notes. It is written by a doctor and addressed to another doctor. It’s an excellent scenario where writing sub-test case notes selection is tricky and identification of diagnosis/chief complaint requires careful reading. Note, in the sample letter, the writer has covered only the relevant OET case notes while summarising as much as possible. Use of conjunctions and transitions is also quite effective throughout.
Follow the 40 tips given in the sample, and you will find that securing A or B for OET writing sub-test is much easier than thought.
Table of Contents
- OET Case Notes for Referral Letter
- Date, Recipient’s Address, Greeting and Re: Line
- Introduction – Patient, Medical Issue & the Purpose
- Body Paragraph 1 – Presenting Complaints
- Body Paragraph 2 – Past Medical/Social/Family History
- Body Paragraph 3 – Advice Given
- Conclusion – Expected care/action by the reader
- Closing Sentence – Not Included in Word Count
- Complimentary Close – Yours…
- Mock Test – Test Your Writing Skills
- Final Sample Letter
- Quiz – Check Your Knowledge
Additionally, this medicine sample referral letter scores high points on ability to write information in brief and covering more information per sentence. Length of this referral letter is also within 180-200 words range. The writer here has taken good care of articles, capitalisation (of medication), verb tenses and word choice. Above all, paragraphing in the OET referral letter is logical and there is good coherence throughout.
For writing sub-test, our teachers at Benchmark can help you write such OET letter samples for nursing, medicine, physiotherapy, pharmacy etc. All you have to do is join our OET Writing Correction service, and we will correct all your mistakes in the referral/transfer/discharge letters and give you the most accurate tips for writing sub-test. This way you can find the most accurate answers for your OET letter.
OET Referral Case Notes (SOURCE) |
Let us structure the first part of the sample referral letter and see what information should be included there.
Date, Recipient’s Address, Greeting and Re: Line |
Date (Given in the case notes as ‘Assume that today’s date is …’) Full name of the recipient with title Greeting (Dear ……. ) (Second name of the recipient with appropriate title) Reference line (Re: the patient’s full name & DOB) Tip 1: ’20 January 2022’ is the preferred date format at the start. Tip 2: dd/mm/yyyy is the preferred date format in in the reference line and paragraphs. (Avoid switching date formats in the reference line and paragraphs.) Tip 3: Interchanging the order of Date & Recipient’s Details is acceptable. Tip 4: Interchanging the order of Greeting & Reference Line is acceptable. Tip 5: If date of birth (DOB) is given, write that in the reference line. If age is also given, mention that in introduction. Tip 6: If the recipient is not a doctor (Dr.), use appropriate title or job profile name (Dear Nurse, etc.) Tip 7: Watch the spelling. If you are using British/American spelling, be consistent in the letter. Avoid mixing the styles. 18 June 2018 Dr Jason Roberts RE: Ms Anne Hall, DOB: 19/9/1972 |
Now, let us take a stepwise approach to composing each paragraph.
Introduction Patient, Medical Issue & Purpose |
The purpose of the letter should be immediately apparent to the reader; therefore, it is discussed in the introduction paragraph. Writing ‘introduction’ of a referral OET letter is similar to other types of letters such as a transfer or a discharge letter. It covers the full name of the patient, introduces the medical complaint and generally discusses the reason(s) for writing the letter. Tip 8: Keep in mind that excluding the purpose would affect your score negatively. Tip 9: Read the ‘Note’ & ‘Writing Task’ given at the start and end of the case notes respectively to identify the purpose. Tip 10: You may use the key word ‘refer’ to indicate the purpose as you are introducing the patient to another healthcare professional for the first time. Tip 11: Keep the introduction succinct to make the purpose immediately apparent to the reader. TIP 12: Avoid secondary information/details that may obscure the objective of introduction. Tip 13: Avoid using ‘a/the/this/my patient’ to refer to the patient in the letter as it is considered less polite. Tip 14: Write full name with title at the first occurrence in the introduction as the patient is an adult. Tip 15: In introduction, the purpose should be general information related to expected care/action. A specific & detailed plan should be included in conclusion. Tip 16: Avoid using note/short forms; it is informal. For example, +/- Introduce the patient. Refer NOTES and PATIENT DETAILS… 45-year-old female patient Anne Hall (Ms), DOB 19 Sep 1972 Social History: Teacher (Job can be included as it may be causing stress, but subjects taught are irrelevant) Medical Complaint: Refer Provisional DiagnosisProvisional diagnosis: gastro-oesophageal reflux +/- stricture Reason for writing the letter: Refer Writing Task.… for further investigation and definitive diagnosis The introduction of your OET letter is now I am writing to refer Ms Anne Hall, a 45-year-old school teacher who has features of gastro-oesophageal reflux with possible stricture, for further investigation and a definitive diagnosis. |
Body Paragraph 1 Presenting Complaints |
Refer Information Dated ’18 Jun 2018’ and Patient Details for BMI. Tip 17: Relevant information. Select what the reader (a gastroenterologist) should keep in mind while the patient is in his care. Presenting complaint(s) (Possible) background of the complaint(s) Examination Findings/Further Discussion Addition Relevant Information Given by the Patient Tip 18: Use second name with appropriate title when referring to the (adult) patient initially in a paragraph. Tip 19: Avoid using pronouns to refer to the patient at the first occurrence in a paragraph. Tip 20: Avoid using brackets; it is informal. Rephrase without them. Tip 21: Avoid capitalizing generic drug name(s). Let’s compile relevant information and compose the body paragraph 1 as follows. Today, Ms Hall complained of constant dysphagia for solids, epigastric pain radiating posteriorly to the T12 level, and concomitant 1-2kg weight loss. According to her, the symptoms started 2 weeks ago after a viral URTI, for which she took an OTC Chinese herbal medicine with unknown ingredients. She had no apparent signs of anxiety and denied sensation of any lump. She is overweight with a BMI of 28.2. Please note, she reported occasional use of aspirin up to 2-3 times a month and a recent increase in her coffee intake. |
Body Paragraph 2 Past Medical/Social/Family History |
Tip 22: Relevant information/details: Identify possible triggers or risk factors related to GERD that will help the gastroenterologist to arrive at a conclusion and decide on an action plan. Tip 23: Sequence relevant information based on importance. Tip 24: Irrelevant information/details: Any information not related to the chief complaint of the patient and not useful to the reader, a gastroenterologist, to initiate the expected care/action should be ignored. Otherwise, it may confuse the reader, and even be counter-productive as it may increase the length of your letter. Refer Previous Medical History Childhood asthma; chickenpox; measles Social History Divorced, 2 children at home (born 2002, 2004) Allergies: Codeine; dust mites; sulphur dioxide Family History: Mother – hypertension; asthmatic; Father – peptic ulcer Tip 25: Use second name with appropriate title when referring to the (adult) patient initially in a paragraph. Avoid using pronouns to refer to the patient at the first occurrence in a paragraph. Let’s compile relevant information and compose the body paragraph 2 as follows. Ms. Hall is divorced and has two children. She received treatment for depression in 2006 following her divorce, sought weight reduction in 2008, had dyspepsia in 2012 and was on oral corticosteroids for dermatitis in 2014. She does not smoke but drinks socially, mainly spirits. She is allergic to codeine and has a family history of peptic ulcer. |
Body Paragraph 3 Advice Given |
Refer ‘Plan’ Tip 26: Advice given to the patient to be considered. Tip 27: Avoid including ‘Refer gastroenterologist for opinion and endoscopy…’ as the letter is written to the gastroenterologist. Plan: Refer gastroenterologist for opinion and endoscopy if required ↓ coffee/alcohol intake Cease OTC product Pantoprazole 40mg daily Tip 28: Avoid using note/short forms; it is informal. For example, /, ↓. Tip 29: Shift the focus from the writer (I/we) as much as possible to maintain formal style. For example, avoid using ‘I advised …’. Tip 30: Avoid capitalizing generic drug name(s). This paragraph can be written as below. Ms Hall is advised to reduce her coffee and alcohol intake, stop taking the over-the counter product immediately and take pantoprazole 40mg daily. |
Conclusion Expected Care/Action by the Reader |
After briefing the reader on the patient’s complaints and medical/social/family history and the advice given, conclude the letter explaining the purpose of the letter in detail (what exactly is expected from the reader). Refer ‘Plan’. Plan: Refer gastroenterologist for opinion and endoscopy if required ↓ coffee/alcohol intake Cease OTC product Pantoprazole 40mg daily Tip 31: Give an introductory phrase to link the conclusion to the above-mentioned information. Tip 32: Ensure no information related to expected care/action is excluded. Tip 33: Note that only the information related to further care is selected from the earlier parts of case notes (see the underlined information). Tip 34: Make sure the tone used is polite and formal. Therefore, the letter can be concluded as below. Given the above, Ms Hall is referred to you for an endoscopy if required and your opinion on further management. |
Closing Sentence Not included in Word Count |
Tip 35: You can be relieved that the closing sentence is not considered for ‘word count’. However, remember not writing closing sentence may affect your score negatively. Tip 36: A typical polite closing sentence can be written as the addressee can get back to the writer if he needs more information about the patient. Tip 37: It should be polite and should not include informal words and phrases. For any further information, please contact me. |
Complementary Close Yours….. |
Tip 38: Use appropriate salutations in the letter. Yours sincerely (If the name of the recipient is given.) Yours faithfully (If the name of the recipient is NOT given.) Tip 39: Write the name of the profession/designation indicated in the case notes. You may give the name of the hospital or organization if given (optional). Tip 40: Leave a single blank space between all sections. In this case, the name of the reader is given. Yours sincerely, |
Example Letter |
Dr Jason Roberts Gastroenterologist Newtown Hospital 111 High Street Newtown 18 June 2018 Dear Dr Roberts, Re: Ms Anne Hall, DOB: 19/09/1972 I am writing to refer Ms Anne Hall, a 45-year-old school teacher who has features of gastro-oesophageal reflux with possible stricture, for further investigation and a definitive diagnosis. Today, Ms Hall complained of constant dysphagia for solids, epigastric pain radiating posteriorly to the T12 level, and concomitant 1-2kg weight loss. According to her, the symptoms started 2 weeks ago after a viral URTI, for which she took an over-the-counter Chinese herbal medicine with unknown ingredients. She had no apparent signs of anxiety and denied sensation of any lump. She is overweight with a BMI of 28.2. Please note, she reported occasional use of aspirin up to 2-3 times a month and a recent increase in her coffee intake. Ms Hall is divorced and has two children. She received treatment for depression in 2006 following her divorce, sought weight reduction in 2008, had dyspepsia in 2012 and was on oral corticosteroids for dermatitis in 2014. She does not smoke but drinks socially, mainly spirits. She is allergic to codeine and has a family history of peptic ulcer. Ms Hall is advised to reduce her coffee and alcohol intake, stop taking the over-the-counter product immediately and take pantoprazole 40mg daily. Given the above, Ms Hall is referred to you for an endoscopy if required and your opinion on further management. For any further information, please contact me. Yours sincerely, |
I need OET Materials. Can you please help me?
Hi ,your class is very effective.so kindly give me the study material.
Please visit this link: OET Reading Practice
Hello, could you please send me those material too?
Nistor.mmaria@yahoo.com
Kind regards
Maria
Hi Maria, To get regular updates and tips, you can subscribe to our newsletter by entering your details at the bottom of the following webpage: https://edubenchmark.com/
Very good sample letters n effective classes….please help me in improving listening
We are currently focusing on reading and writing modules only.
I need more materials
Please visit this link: OET Reading Practice
please give me some study material.
Please visit this link:OET Reading Practice
Hi. Very Useful blog. Thank for sharing
Thank you so much for the great writing format
Many thanks. 🙂
Is it ok to use the word “lady” for an unmarried female instead if “woman”?
Is it formal
Thank you
yes you can.
Azithromycin 1 gram seems to be a one time dosage, not to be repeated. It has already been administered. So wouldn’t it be better to write “Patient has been advised to avoid sexual contact for the next seven days” rather than “advised not to have sexual contact for seven days after treatment”?
Hi Paul, First of all, it is always “the patient”. With respect to the tense, past simple is required rather than present perfect. Please read the sample letter after which you can find at the bottom of the webpage. The sentence reads like this: She was prescribed Azithromycin 1 gram and advised to avoid sexual contacts for 7 days after the treatment.
With respect to administration of the medicine – are you sure the medicine was given in the clinic by the nurse?
First of all, I wish to take this opportunity to thank you for the wonderful work you do for OET aspirants. It’s really helpful.
I wish to ask a doubt if I may.
It’s about the sentence construction.
In the reply above, the sentence reads like this :
She was prescribed….. and advise to avoid…… .
My doubt is that “don’t we have to use “was advised ” in the given sentence “?
Please reply, Thank you.
No, you don’t need to, ‘was prescribed’ shows this is a passive sentence and another ‘was’ is superfluous.
Needs to familiarize with more samples for OET writing
Following are a few sample writings:
Doctor
Pharmacist
Physiotherapist
OET Writing Sample
Hi ,thankyou for wonderful teaching how many paragraphs should referal letter have ?
very informative, thank you for sharing
Many thanks.
Very informative. Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you so much to all the benchmark teams for uploading samples with proper explanation.this site is really helping out lots of OET aspirants like me who does not have an option to study from a coaching class.
Hope you would post more answers like this.
I must tell you that from this sample I got a clear cut idea about the referral letter as I am studying only through online sites.Thank you once again.👍
Thank you for your encouragement. Yes, will continue posting more such topics.
Thank you so much for your valuable information
Hi
I have a doubt regarding this answer . Is it necessary to write patients medical history because in the writing task it is mentioned as requesting review of ”your patient” to discuss contraceptive options and further testing for sexually transmitted infections and blood borne viruses.
Yes, medical history is important in order for the doctor to give accurate advice.
Please send me sample letters with corrections
Visit the following links:
Doctor
Pharmacist
Physiotherapist
OET Writing Sample
exellent class I ever seen…Thank you..
thanks and good luck!
Hello, can you share some writings task samples? Thank you
Doctor
Pharmacist
Physiotherapist
OET Writing Sample
Hi ..kindly send me some study materials.. Many thanks.
Visit this link : OET Reading Practice Test
im a nurse and would like to get my writing corrections done please
Please visit this link: OET Writing Correction
Hallo ,Can you send some Writing tasks.Thank you
You can get writing case notes through this program: OET Writing Correction
I need sample letter for this subject ( explain relevant social and medical histories and request the community nurse to visit after discharge to provide proper health management and assistance for this patient and her family) please
Hi, We haven’t published any such letter, but you can have a look at this sample corrected letter: OET Writing Sample
If the active voice is*the doctor discharged the patient *can we write the passive form as *she is discharged today *?
she is due to be discharged or she (has been)/(was) discharged
Hi can I request for some writing task for nurses.Thanks in advance.
You can use this service for writing topics: OET Writing Correction
U have any online writing classes
Right now we only have this: OET Writing Correction
Can we follow this format of writing for the upcoming test??
absolutely
Nice work that you are doing.
Big ups
Explained in easy and excellent way.
Thanks
Could you please update some more sample letter
Hie how are you
Hi Rumbie, How can I help?
May you kindly help with oet listening and the voice recordings
You can try this online speaking practice service for live feedback: OET Speaking Practice
We will notify you whenever the listening materials become available.
May l please have more examples
that’s the only one we have. You can try writing letters yourself and use this service to get expert feedback: OET Writing Correction
Hello..need your assistance with marking my writing
Please visit this page to learn how you can submit your OET writings for Correction
Hi,gd mng. Can u give me example for discharge letter and letter fir physiotherapy
Good day!
It’s really helpful to understand. Please advise me to receive more sample referral letters for nurses.
Thank you!
This is the only sample letter we have at the moment. You can get your own letters corrected to find out how your writing skills are: OET Writing Correction
Hi there,
Can I get some writing samples for pharmacy please.
Only have this one right now: Pharmacist
May I have your email address sir,so that I can talk to you directly
Hi, Please email to info@edubenchmark.com. Cheers.
Is it not mandatory to write full name of the patient in introduction??
I am considering to take OET instead of IELTS for NMC Nursing Midwifery Council
please advice me how to start my review.
Edna
Please help me to score good in oet
OET Writing Correction
OET Reading Practice
OET Speaking Practice
thank you
Very helpful
Thank you very much, the teaching has open eyes to the referral letter.
Please cans you send more writing task with the correct answer.
Here is OET Sample Discharge Letter for Writing Test
very useful
Thanks for the tips
Thank you very much. Am begining to understand
thank you so much.very usefull task.hoping more details.
can i have your materials
Visit this link for Benchmark OET Course
Excellent, I found this quite interesting.
Hi..Its really very helpful who ever doing self preparation for OET EXAM , Tnks a lot.
Can i get your materials
OET Prepration Course
so helpful thank you
Hi, can have a copy of reading and writing modules. Thank you.
Please, how do I make payment from Nigeria,I don’t have dollar account
Hi,I need OET material. Thank you
Benchmark OET Course
This is wonderful but do we use sincerely or faithfully?
Thanks alot I appreciate your concern, please give me more examples of referral latter 🙏
very educative and continue helping in any way. thank you
Grateful for this post! It really helped me a lot.
thankyou ,the post came in handy pretty much