For many OET candidates, one of the most challenging parts of writing a referral, discharge, or transfer letter is reporting investigation results clearly and professionally. In healthcare communication, test results are often the key reason for referral or ongoing management. Therefore, presenting them accurately can significantly improve your score in the Clinical Communication and Language criteria.
In this blog, let’s explore how to write investigation results effectively in OET letters, along with useful sentence structures and real examples.
Case note version
1) Blood Investigations
Case notes:
FBC: Hb 8.5 g/dL
WCC 14,000
CRP ↑
Letter version:
Blood investigations revealed a low haemoglobin level of 8.5 g/dL, with an elevated white cell count of 14,000 and raised C-reactive protein, suggestive of infection.
2) Chest X-ray
Case notes:
CXR: RLL consolidation
? pneumonia
Letter version:
Chest X-ray showed right lower lobe consolidation, consistent with pneumonia.
3) Urine Test
Case notes:
Urinalysis: protein +++
glucose ++
ketones +
Letter version:
Urinalysis revealed significant proteinuria with the presence of glucose and ketones.
4) ECG Findings
Case notes:
ECG: AF
irregular rhythm
HR 120 bpm
Letter version:
ECG demonstrated atrial fibrillation with an irregular rhythm and a heart rate of 120 beats per minute.
5) Blood Sugar / Diabetes
Case notes:
BGL 240 mg/dL
HbA1c 9.2%
Letter version:
Blood glucose level was elevated at 240 mg/dL, and HbA1c was 9.2%, indicating poor glycaemic control.
6) MRI / CT Scan
Case notes:
MRI lumbar spine: disc prolapse L4–L5
Letter version:
MRI of the lumbar spine confirmed disc prolapse at the L4–L5 level.
7) Orthopaedic X-ray
Case notes:
X-ray: # NOF (R)
Letter version:
X-ray confirmed a right fractured neck of femur.
Why Investigation Results Matter in OET Writing
In OET Writing, the reader is usually another healthcare professional such as a doctor, nurse, physiotherapist, or specialist. They need clear and concise information about:
what tests were done
what the findings were
what those findings indicate
what action is required
If investigation results are poorly written, the purpose of the letter can become unclear.
For example:
Weak sentence:
“The patient did some tests and the result was not good.”
This is too vague and informal.
Better sentence:
“Blood investigations revealed elevated fasting blood glucose levels of 180 mg/dL, consistent with poorly controlled diabetes.”
This sounds professional and precise.
Common Verbs Used for Reporting Results
One of the easiest ways to improve your writing is to use formal reporting verbs.
Here are some common ones:
revealed
showed
indicated
confirmed
demonstrated
identified
suggested
detected
Examples
The chest X-ray revealed bilateral lower lobe infiltrates.
ECG showed atrial fibrillation.
MRI confirmed lumbar disc prolapse.
Blood tests indicated iron deficiency anaemia.
These verbs are highly useful in OET letters.
Sentence structures you can use in your letter.
Let’s look at practical sentence patterns.
1. Investigation + verb + result
This is the most common structure.
Formula:
Test + reporting verb + finding
Examples
Urinalysis revealed the presence of protein and glucose.
The CT scan showed mild cerebral atrophy.
Blood culture confirmed bacterial infection.
This structure is direct and easy to read.
2. Results of investigations + showed / revealed
This is useful when mentioning multiple tests.
Examples
Results of investigations showed elevated liver enzymes.
A series of investigations revealed moderate renal impairment.
Further investigations confirmed the diagnosis of pneumonia.
This phrase is frequently used in high-scoring OET letters.
How to Report Abnormal Results
Abnormal findings should be highlighted clearly because they often justify referral.
Examples
Her haemoglobin level was notably low at 8.2 g/dL.
Serum potassium was elevated at 5.8 mmol/L.
Oxygen saturation was reduced to 89% on room air.
Notice how numbers make the sentence more professional.
How to Report Normal Results
Sometimes normal findings are equally important.
Examples
Renal function tests were within normal limits.
ECG findings were unremarkable.
Neurological examination was normal.
Useful phrases:
within normal limits
unremarkable
no significant abnormalities detected
negative for
Examples
The ultrasound was negative for gallstones.
No significant abnormalities were detected on MRI.
Linking Results to Diagnosis
A strong OET letter does not simply mention findings; it connects them to the clinical condition.
Examples
Blood glucose levels remained persistently elevated, suggesting poor diabetic control.
The chest X-ray revealed right lower lobe consolidation, consistent with pneumonia.
Doppler ultrasound showed deep vein thrombosis, necessitating urgent anticoagulant therapy.
This shows clinical reasoning and improves task fulfilment.
Useful Sentence Examples for Different Cases
Here are ready-to-use examples for common OET scenarios.
Diabetes
Fasting blood sugar was recorded at 210 mg/dL.
HbA1c was elevated at 9.1%, indicating poor glycaemic control.
Cardiac Case
ECG showed ST-segment elevation in leads II, III, and aVF.
Troponin levels were significantly raised, confirming myocardial infarction.
Respiratory Case
Chest auscultation revealed bilateral crackles.
Chest X-ray demonstrated left lower lobe consolidation.
Neurological Case
CT brain showed no evidence of intracranial bleeding.
MRI revealed cervical disc herniation.
Orthopaedic Case
X-ray of the right hip confirmed a displaced fracture neck of femur.
MRI showed ligament tear with joint effusion.
Common Mistakes
1. Using informal words
Avoid phrases like:
test was bad
result is not okay
problem seen in scan
Use professional terms instead.
Better
scan revealed abnormal findings
investigation confirmed
test results indicated
2. Wrong tense usage
Since most OET case notes describe completed investigations, use past tense.
Incorrect:
Blood test shows infection.
Correct:
Blood test showed infection.
3. Writing unnecessary details
Only include relevant findings for the purpose of the letter.
For example, in a referral for chest pain, ECG findings are relevant, but a previous dental X-ray is not.
Always ask:
Does the reader need this information?
High-Scoring Sample Paragraph
Here is a model paragraph:
“On admission, blood investigations revealed elevated white cell count (15,000/mm³) and C-reactive protein levels, suggestive of active infection. In addition, chest X-ray showed right lower lobe consolidation, confirming community-acquired pneumonia. Oxygen saturation was reduced to 90% on room air.”
This paragraph is clear, formal, and clinically relevant.
Final Tips for OET Students
Use formal reporting verbs
Mention only relevant findings
Use accurate tense
Include values where necessary
Link findings to diagnosis or referral purpose
Mastering these sentence patterns can quickly improve your writing score.
Practice Sentence Starters
Here are quick sentence starters your students can memorise:
Investigations revealed…
Further tests confirmed…
Blood work showed…
Imaging demonstrated…
Results were consistent with…
No abnormalities were detected…
In Short….
Presenting investigation results clearly and professionally is an essential skill in OET Writing. By using accurate reporting verbs, relevant clinical details, and clear sentence structures, candidates can ensure effective communication with the reader. Remember, the goal is not just to list test results, but to show their clinical significance and how they support the purpose of the letter. With regular practice and the use of high-scoring sentence patterns, you can improve both clarity and confidence in your writing, ultimately boosting your OET score.
