Navigating the OET (Occupational English Test) can feel like a puzzle, and one piece that often requires extra attention is the writing section. Specifically, understanding how to craft an effective referral letter is crucial for many healthcare professionals. This article will walk you through an OET Writing Referral Letter Sample and provide you with the knowledge you need to ace this part of your exam.
Why an OET Writing Referral Letter Sample Matters
A referral letter is a vital communication tool in healthcare. It's how one healthcare professional asks another for specific advice or care for a patient. For the OET, this task assesses your ability to convey medical information clearly, concisely, and professionally to another medical practitioner. Getting this right is not just about passing the OET; it's about ensuring patient safety and effective communication in a real-world medical setting.
Think of it like this: if you were explaining a complex problem to a friend, you'd want to be super clear so they understand exactly what you need. A referral letter is the same, but with much higher stakes! You're not just explaining a problem; you're guiding another professional on how to help a patient.
Here's what makes a good referral letter:
- Accurate patient details
- Clear reason for referral
- Relevant medical history
- Specific questions you need answered
- Concise and professional language
The OET Writing Referral Letter Sample you'll find here and elsewhere aims to mimic real-life scenarios. Practicing with these examples helps you:
- Understand the expected format.
- Learn common medical vocabulary used in referrals.
- Develop the skill of summarizing complex information.
Here's a quick look at the key components you'll typically find:
| Section | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Date | When the letter was written |
| Recipient Details | Who the letter is for (specialist) |
| Sender Details | Your name and position |
| Salutation | Greeting (e.g., "Dear Dr. Smith") |
| Introduction | Introduce the patient and the reason for referral |
| Body Paragraphs | Provide relevant history, examination findings, investigations, and treatment given |
| The Ask | Clearly state what you want the recipient to do or advise on |
| Conclusion | Closing remarks and thanks |
| Sign-off | Your name and title |
Referral Letter Sample for Further Investigation
Date: 26 October 2023
Dr. Anya Sharma
Consultant Cardiologist
City General Hospital
123 Medical Avenue
Metropolis
Dear Dr. Sharma,
I am writing to refer Mr. David Lee, a 65-year-old gentleman currently under my care for type 2 diabetes and hypertension. Mr. Lee presented to my clinic yesterday with a two-week history of intermittent, non-exertional chest pain, described as a tight squeezing sensation lasting for approximately 5-10 minutes. He has experienced three such episodes in total, with no associated shortness of breath, palpitations, or diaphoresis.
His past medical history is significant for well-controlled type 2 diabetes (HbA1c 7.2% last month) and hypertension, for which he is on metformin 1000mg twice daily and ramipril 10mg daily. He has no known allergies and has never smoked. On examination yesterday, his vital signs were stable: BP 130/80 mmHg, pulse 72 bpm, regular. Cardiovascular and respiratory examinations were unremarkable. His ECG at rest showed a normal sinus rhythm with no acute ST-T wave changes.
Given the nature of his symptoms and his risk factors, I am concerned about possible underlying coronary artery disease. I would be grateful if you could evaluate Mr. Lee further to investigate the cause of his chest pain and advise on appropriate management. Specifically, I would appreciate your opinion on the need for stress testing or other cardiac investigations.
Thank you for your time and expertise.
Sincerely,
Dr. Emily Carter
General Practitioner
Community Health Clinic
Referral Letter Sample for Specialist Management
Date: 26 October 2023
Dr. Benjamin Croft
Consultant Dermatologist
City General Hospital
123 Medical Avenue
Metropolis
Dear Dr. Croft,
This letter is to refer Ms. Sarah Jones, a 28-year-old otherwise healthy female, for your specialist opinion regarding a persistent rash. Ms. Jones first noticed a small, itchy patch on her left forearm approximately six weeks ago. The rash has since spread to her right arm and anterior chest. She describes the lesions as red, slightly raised, and intensely itchy, particularly at night.
She has tried over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream with minimal relief. She denies any recent travel, new soaps or detergents, or known exposure to irritants. Her medical history is otherwise unremarkable, and she is not currently taking any regular medications. On examination, I observed erythematous, papular and excoriated lesions in a bilateral distribution on her forearms and upper chest. There were no signs of secondary infection.
I suspect this may be a form of contact dermatitis or eczema, but I would appreciate your expert assessment to confirm the diagnosis and recommend a suitable treatment plan. I am particularly keen to address the pruritus which is significantly impacting her quality of life.
Thank you for seeing Ms. Jones.
Yours faithfully,
Dr. Mark Evans
General Practitioner
Downtown Medical Centre
Referral Letter Sample for Surgical Opinion
Date: 26 October 2023
Mr. James Peterson
Consultant Surgeon
City General Hospital
123 Medical Avenue
Metropolis
Dear Mr. Peterson,
I am writing to refer Mr. Robert Miller, a 55-year-old gentleman with a history of gallstones, for your surgical assessment. Mr. Miller presented to my clinic today with a two-day history of progressively worsening right upper quadrant abdominal pain. He describes the pain as constant, severe, radiating to his right shoulder, and associated with nausea and vomiting. He has also noted some mild jaundice.
His past medical history includes diagnosed cholelithiasis for which he has been asymptomatic until now. He has a history of appendectomy 20 years ago. He is a social drinker and a former smoker (quit 10 years ago). On examination, he was pyrexial at 38.5°C, tachycardic at 100 bpm, and hypotensive at 95/60 mmHg. His abdomen was distended and tender in the right upper quadrant, with a positive Murphy's sign. Laboratory investigations revealed elevated white cell count (15.5 x 10^9/L) and deranged liver function tests (Bilirubin 70 umol/L, ALP 250 U/L).
Given these findings, I suspect acute cholecystitis complicated by possible cholangitis. I would be grateful if you could review Mr. Miller urgently, confirm the diagnosis, and advise on the need for surgical intervention, likely laparoscopic cholecystectomy.
Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter.
Sincerely,
Dr. Jessica Wong
General Practitioner
Riverside Family Practice
Referral Letter Sample for Follow-up Care
Date: 26 October 2023
Dr. Sarah Kim
Consultant Physician (Endocrinology)
City General Hospital
123 Medical Avenue
Metropolis
Dear Dr. Kim,
I am writing to refer Ms. Olivia Brown, a 32-year-old patient who was recently discharged following treatment for diabetic ketoacidosis. Ms. Brown is a known type 1 diabetic and had a history of poor adherence to her insulin regimen prior to this admission. During her hospital stay, her blood glucose levels were stabilized, and she was educated on insulin administration and sick day rules.
She was discharged three days ago on a basal-bolus insulin regimen, with her usual Novomix 30 changed to Lantus and Novorapid. Her discharge summary is attached for your perusal. While her initial post-discharge readings have been acceptable (e.g., fasting glucose 7.5 mmol/L yesterday), I am concerned about her long-term management and the risk of recurrence, given her previous challenges with adherence. I would appreciate it if you could see Ms. Brown for a follow-up appointment to assess her understanding of her new regimen, reinforce self-management strategies, and address any psychosocial factors that may be affecting her adherence.
Thank you for your continued care of Ms. Brown.
Yours faithfully,
Dr. Michael Chen
General Practitioner
Green Valley Medical Centre
Referral Letter Sample for Medication Review
Date: 26 October 2023
Dr. Elizabeth Roberts
Clinical Pharmacist
City General Hospital Pharmacy Department
123 Medical Avenue
Metropolis
Dear Dr. Roberts,
I would like to refer Mr. John Davies, a 78-year-old gentleman with multiple comorbidities, for a comprehensive medication review. Mr. Davies is under my care for osteoarthritis, hypertension, and benign prostatic hyperplasia. He is currently prescribed the following medications: Ibuprofen 400mg three times daily, Amlodipine 5mg once daily, and Tamsulosin 400mcg once daily. He also takes Paracetamol as needed for pain.
Recently, Mr. Davies has reported increased dizziness, particularly on standing, and mild gastrointestinal upset. I am concerned about potential polypharmacy and drug interactions, or side effects from his current regimen. He takes his medications with water and generally adheres well, but his complex medication list and age make him a candidate for review. I would be grateful if you could review his current medications, assess for any interactions or adverse effects, and provide recommendations for optimization, particularly in relation to his reported symptoms.
Thank you for your assistance.
Sincerely,
Dr. David Lee
General Practitioner
Westside Family Practice
Referral Letter Sample for Physiotherapy
Date: 26 October 2023
Ms. Karen Miller
Senior Physiotherapist
City Sports Medicine Clinic
456 Athletic Drive
Metropolis
Dear Ms. Miller,
I am writing to refer Ms. Sophie Williams, a 22-year-old student, for physiotherapy assessment and management of a recent ankle injury. Ms. Williams sustained a twisting injury to her left ankle approximately one week ago while playing basketball. She reports immediate pain and swelling, and difficulty bearing weight. She has been managing with rest, ice, compression, and elevation (RICE) and has been taking over-the-counter ibuprofen for pain.
On examination today, there is mild swelling and tenderness over the lateral aspect of her left ankle, specifically over the anterior talofibular ligament. She can bear weight with mild discomfort but is unable to perform a single-leg heel raise. There is no obvious deformity or instability noted on passive range of motion. I suspect a grade 1-2 inversion sprain, but I would appreciate your expert physiotherapy assessment to guide her rehabilitation.
I would be grateful if you could assess her, provide a diagnosis, and initiate a physiotherapy program focusing on regaining strength, balance, and proprioception to allow her to return to sport safely.
Thank you for your help.
Yours faithfully,
Dr. Anita Singh
General Practitioner
Central Health Centre
Referral Letter Sample for Specialist Opinion on a Rare Condition
Date: 26 October 2023
Dr. Thomas Adams
Consultant Neurologist
City General Hospital
123 Medical Avenue
Metropolis
Dear Dr. Adams,
I am referring Mr. George Peterson, a 45-year-old gentleman with a complex neurological history, for your specialist opinion regarding a suspected rare neurological disorder. Mr. Peterson has been experiencing progressive, bilateral leg weakness and intermittent paraesthesia in his hands over the past six months. Initially, symptoms were mild, but they have significantly worsened, impacting his mobility and fine motor skills.
His past medical history is significant for a viral meningitis approximately five years ago. He denies any family history of neurological conditions. Investigations to date have included a normal MRI brain scan, standard blood work, and nerve conduction studies which showed mild demyelination in the peripheral nerves. Despite these investigations, a definitive diagnosis remains elusive. I am concerned about conditions such as chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) or a less common autoimmune neuropathy.
I would be extremely grateful if you could review Mr. Peterson, consider his case in detail, and provide your expert opinion on the potential diagnosis. I am hoping for guidance on further investigations, such as a lumbar puncture or specific autoantibody testing, and potential treatment strategies for this challenging presentation.
Thank you for your time and expertise.
Sincerely,
Dr. Priya Gupta
General Practitioner
Harbour View Medical Practice
Understanding and practicing with an OET Writing Referral Letter Sample is key to building your confidence. Remember to always focus on clarity, accuracy, and professionalism. By internalizing the structure and common phrases, you'll be well-prepared to tackle this important task in your OET exam and beyond in your healthcare career.