OET Writing: How to read the Case Notes:

OET Writing: How to read the Case Notes

(Nurses)

The success of writing a perfect OET Letter depends how well you use the first five minutes of your Reading Time.

There are three types of letters you come across in OET Writing sub-test:

1) Referral Letter

2) Transfer Letter and

3) Discharge Letter

(There is another type The Information letter, which we shall discuss separately) .

You should be able to identify the type of letter before proceeding any further because in  the Assessment Criteria (7 marks) is earmarked for "Genre" (=Type)  focuses on the type of letter you are writing. 

Therefore, let's see each type in detail:

1. Referral Letter

There are three types of Referral Letters.

a. Specialist Referral.

It's usually written to a specialist (e.g., a Cardiologist)

The Introduction: 

The first paragraph of the body of the letter MUST contain three points: the patient name, purpose and diagnosis.

Begin the letter as:

Thank you for seeing........ (meaning: examine the patient and resolve the issue)

The purpose of the letter is:

....... who requires definitive diagnosis and further management.

The diagnosis is given in the case notes.

Example:

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Writing task

Using the information in the case notes, write a referral letter to Dr. Carter. a cardiologist at Apollo Hospital for further treatment of Mrs. Wilfred's ?myocardial infraction. Address the letter to Dr Samuel Carter, Head of the Cardiology, Apollo Hospital, 22 -A. Lincolon Street, New Jersey.

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Identify the following points:

1. Name of the Reader

2. Designation

3. Address

4. Purpose

5. Diagnosis

Usually only the first three pieces information will be in the Writing Task.

The rest, you have to locate somewhere in the notes. The first five minutes is identifying the five items above.

Sample Introduction:

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Thank you for seeing Mrs Wilfred, who requires definitive diagnosis and further. She is diagnosed with myocardial infraction.

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2. Urgent Letter

The first paragraph of the body of the letter MUST contain three points: the patient name, purpose and diagnosis.

Begin the letter as:

Thank you for seeing........ (meaning: examine the patient and resolve the issue)

The purpose of the letter is:

....... who requires an urgent definitive diagnosis and further management.

The diagnosis is given in the case notes.

Example:

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Writing task

Using the information in the case notes, write a referral letter co Dr. Carter. an emergency consultant at Apollo Hospital for further treatment of Mrs. Wilfred's condition. Address the letter to Dr Samuel Carter, at accident and emergency department, Apollo Hospital, 22 -A. Lincoln Street, New Jersey.

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Identify the following points:

1. Name of the Reader

2. Designation

3. Address

4. Purpose

5. Diagnosis

Usually only the first three pieces information will be in the Writing Task.

The rest, you have to locate somewhere in the notes. The first five minutes is identifying the five items above.

Sample Introduction:

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Thank you for seeing Mrs Wilfred, who requires urgent  definitive diagnosis and further. She is provisionally diagnosed with myocardial infraction.

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3. Transfer/Discharge Letter

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