Considering that OET letters should be written in a formal style and polite tone, it is important to address the patient accordingly.
As you know, the patient’s name is presented in many parts of the letter. This article discusses how to refer to a patient appropriately in an OET letter.
Table of Contents
1. Age and name of the patient
The age of the patient influences the way in which he or she is addressed in an OET letter. Therefore, please keep in mind the following information when the patient is referred to as adult/child in the following parts of the article.
Adult: aged 17 and above
Child: aged 16 and below
2. Title
The most common titles used with the name of the patient in OET letters are as follows. (Period after the title is optional)
Mr – Adult male
Mrs – Adult female (married)
Ms – Adult female (unmarried/widow)
*Miss is an outdated title.
(Read the case notes carefully to use the appropriate title)
NOTE:
You should not use any title if the patient is a child.
3. Patient’s name in reference line
Adult:
Write the patient’s full name with/without appropriate title.
Example
Re: John Mathews, DOB: …
Re: Mr. John Mathews, DOB: …
Child:
Write the patient’s full name. You should not use a title if the patient is a child.
Example
Re: Harry Llyod, DOB: …
Refer ‘Reference Line’ for more clarity on reference line.
4. Patient’s name in introduction
Adult:
Mention the patient’s full name with appropriate title at the first occurrence in the introduction paragraph.
Example
I am writing to refer Mr. John Mathews …
Child:
Write the patient’s full name (without title).
Example,
I am writing to refer Harry Llyod …
NOTE: You may use appropriate gender pronouns to represent the patient later in the introduction.
5. Patient’s name in body paragraphs
Adult:
Write the patient’s second name or surname with appropriate title at the first occurrence in a body paragraph.
Example
On review today, Mr. Mathews …
Child:
Write the patient’s first name (without title) at the first occurrence in the body paragraphs.
Example,
On review today, Harry …
NOTE: You may use appropriate gender pronouns to represent the patient later in the body paragraphs.
6. Words that should be avoided to refer to a patient
- Patient/Client
Avoid using patient/client to address the patient (adult and child) in the letter as it is considered less polite.
the patient, this patient, a patient, my patient
the client, this client, a client, my client
Exception
However, if the letter is addressed to a reader who already knows the patient, using ‘your patient’ is acceptable. It illustrates the existing relationship to the reader.
Example
(Adult) I am writing to update you on your patient, Mr. John Mathews …
(Child) I am writing to update you on your patient, Harry …
- Gender pronouns
Avoid using gender pronouns at the first occurrence in a paragraph
Example
On review today, he/she …
NOTE: You may use appropriate gender pronouns to represent the patient later in the paragraphs.
7. Criterion
Addressing the patient appropriately will be assessed under the criterion ‘Genre and Style’.
Note: Errors that lead to misgendering of the patient can impact the score significantly; therefore, proofread the letter carefully after completion.
Wow am very impressed, looking forward to learning more
It’s perfect. I would like to learn how to write the rest of the letter in correct format.
If in case note, patient name is mention with Ms Tabitha taborline and doctor’s name mention Dr. sharon Farquad.
than.
should i follow the british english for both pt and dr in which no dote after prefix of patient and doctor or should i use american english for both dr and pt in which there is dote after patient and doctor prefix or should i follow exact like mention in case note, a mixture of brithish and american english?
Using the ‘dot’ after the title is optional and does not affect the grading. With regard to British/American English, try to be consistent with the date format and spelling; the presence/absence of the dot is not important. Use our OET Writing Correction service to ensure your letter writing is consistent with the assessment criteria.