3 OET letter types in the OET writing module?

3 OET letter types in the OET writing module?

This letter should be based on real-life healthcare situations and include detailed information about patients. Information like the patient’s past medical history, family details, current medical situation, and a brief explanation of the purpose of writing the letter should be included.

In most hospitals, nurses and junior staff are responsible for writing such letters with little to no help from senior staff. Please note that this letter will be the basis for other healthcare professionals to provide further treatment to the patient, so clarity of information should be given utmost attention. This makes it equally important for nurses to be thorough when writing letters in the OET exam, as the assessor will be checking the details of the information provided in the letter.

There are basically three types of letters commonly asked in the OET writing test:

1. Referral Letter: A temporary transfer of patients to another doctor or hospital for specific treatment.
2. Transfer Letter: A permanent transfer of patients to another hospital or department for treatment.
3. Discharge Letter: A letter provided to the patient at the time of release from the hospital after treatment, which includes all treatment details of the patient.

Most of the content in the above letters remains the same. Candidates are required to communicate essential information between primary and secondary healthcare, giving the receiving clinician/department detailed information about the patient’s medical background and the purpose of writing the letter.

In the above cases, the conclusion will differ as it will explain the further treatment that is required to be provided to the patient by the recipient healthcare centre. In the case of a discharge letter, the clinical report and its details will be mentioned.

When to use ‘refer’:

‘Refer’ is used when a patient is referred to another doctor or healthcare center for the first time. It makes no sense in English to use ‘refer’ when replying to a referral letter. So, it is important to understand the situation in question and to whom the letter has to be written.