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Writing an OET (Occupational English Test) referral letter is an essential skill for healthcare professionals, especially nurses, who aim to work in English-speaking environments. A well-written referral letter is essential for effective communication and ensuring continuity of patient care.
A well-written nursing letter OET writing sample ensures continuity of patient care and facilitates effective communication.
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What is an OET Referral Letter
An OET referral is a written request from a healthcare professional to another healthcare professional or healthcare provider to diagnose or treat a specific illness. It is an important line of communication between primary and secondary care, conveying details of a patient with complaints and medical history to the receiving physician/office, and enabling a smooth transition of care as usually the only legal entry from the general clinic All relevant information should be included.
An OET referral serves to transfer sensitive patient information from one healthcare professional to another. This ensures that the specialist is fully aware of the patient’s condition and the reason for the referral. Effective OET documentation by nurses supports high standards of care and facilitates smooth transitions between health professionals.
Other nurses and physicians may need to prepare an OET recommendation in various circumstances:
- When a patient’s condition requires knowledge or resources beyond the current capacity of the health care provider
- To facilitate timely access to out-of-area primary care or treatment
- When a patient needs to transition from one healthcare setting to another, such as inpatient care to outpatient or rehabilitative care
- Where adjustments or a second opinion or consultation with a specialist are needed to confirm the diagnosis
- Documentation and appropriate transmission for insurance purposes or healthcare professional needs
How to Write a Referral Letter?
1: What is the primary purpose of a patient’s discharge summary?
Here are some tips to keep in mind when writing your paper from the case material.
- Read the question carefully and analyze the context.
- State the purpose of the letter.
- Identify important facts and note them quickly, keeping in mind the quick interview question and the purpose of the paper.
- Arrange the selected points in chronological order; You can rely on this to plan your application.
- Remember, depending on the purpose of the letter, not all the information will be useful to every reader; Choose your main points thoughtfully and tactfully.
- You should also have a word limit of 180-200 words, which you can do only if you choose the most important content carefully.
- Start with a brief introduction that makes the purpose of the article clear.
- Depending on the type and quantity of content, divide your paper into short paragraphs.
- There should be a clear closing paragraph, usually accompanied by a call to action.
- Although the essay will provide information in points, you must write in both sentences and paragraphs.
- Any abbreviations or references to a particular task should be used with the expected meaning of the target reader in mind.
A clean, concise letter with sufficient information can help both the specialist and the patient in several ways. Such a letter helps to reduce the patient’s anxiety and distrust of the family doctor.
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Common Mistakes to Avoid
You can greatly improve your OET submission by avoiding specific mistakes. The risks to be aware of include the following:
1. Leaving out important information : OET document writers often omit important information about the patient’s health or medical history. Double-check your letter to make sure you have included all relevant information.
2. Use of vague language : The use of vague language can lead to ineffective communication and misunderstandings. Always aim for accuracy and clarity in your writing.
3. Improper characters: Proper structuring can make your letter of recommendation more effective. Ensure that your application meets the OET standards and follows the prescribed format.
Nursing Referral Letter OET Writing Samples
Sample 1:
QUESTION 1
Read the case notes and complete the writing task which follows.
You are a nurse conducting a Nurse Home Visit as part of routine follow-up care after this patient’s recent hospital discharge.
PATIENT DETAILS:
Name: Ms Patricia Styles
DOB: 27.04.1957 (Age 62)
Address: 57 Market Drive, Newtown
Social background: Retired primary school teacher
Lives on her own
Husband died 3 yrs ago (lung cancer); no children
MEDICAL HISTORY:
Hypertension (HT)
• Diagnosed 2011 – mild 145/95
• 2013 – moderate 168/105, commenced quinapril
• Regular monitoring, currently well managed at around 140/90
Diabetes mellitus (DM) Type 2
• Diagnosed 2013 – Pt counselled re diet/lifestyle, incl. weight loss
• 2014 – commenced oral hypoglycaemics (metformin + gliclazide)
• Well managed generally
Depression
• Diagnosed June 2016
• Triggered by death of husband
• Regular counselling since July 2016 to control mood swings and support DM management
FAMILY MEDICAL HISTORY:
Mother – HT, DM
Lifestyle: Smoking/Alcohol: Non-smoker; 1-2 glasses wine/wk
Exercise: Walks dog 20mins/day
Diet: Ongoing counselling re DM management to maintain balanced diet
Medications: Quinapril (Accupril) oral 40mg/2xday
Metformin (Diabex) oral 500mg/2xday
Gliclazide (APO-Gliclazide MR) oral 30mg daily
GREEN VALLEY HOSPITAL TREATMENT RECORD:
23/08/2019
Pt visiting sister for weekend, sister lives 3hrs away from Newtown in Green Valley. Pt admitted to Green Valley Hospital late evening with fever, sharp & pleuritic chest pain (worse on breathing), general weakness & malaise, tachycardia (rapid heartbeat)
24/08/2019
Assessment: Vital signs RR 29; BP 170/106; HR 98; T 39.3oC
Full blood examination (FBE): Ó ESR (erythrocyte sedimentation rate), Ó CRP (C-reactive protein), Ó WCC (white cell count) i.e. inflammation/stress
Throat swab: viral influenza type B
Chest X-ray (CXR) – normal
Echocardiogram – pericarditis
Management: IV saline
Ibuprofen 600mg every 8hrs
Evaluation: Viral influenza type B plus pericarditis
25/08/2019
Pt discharged and advised on self-care at home. Niece drove Pt home & agreed to stay overnight for 3 nights
Follow-up Nurse Home Visit arranged for 30/08/2019
Observations: Pt unhappy. Reports feeling chest pain (relieved by sitting up), shortness of breath (SOB), fatigue. Frustrated with progress of recovery
Medication adherence – reports compliance & regular blood glucose monitoring
Vital signs: low-grade fever: T 38.1°C. Elevated RR 28 & HR 115
BP: 125/78 (usual BP 140/90)
Niece no longer staying overnight – work commitments in Green Valley
Assessment: Pt unwell. Nil improvement relapse/complications of pericarditis
Plan: Organise urgent hospital transfer to Newtown Hospital (nearest hospital)
Write referral to Emergency Department, include relevant:
• Medications
• Patient history
• Test results/observations
WRITING TASK:
Using the information in the case notes, write a letter of referral to the Emergency.
Department Consultant on Duty, outlining the case and requesting urgent assessment and management for pericarditis. Address the letter to Emergency Department.
Consultant on Duty, Newtown Hospital, 100 Main Street, Newtown.
SAMPLE RESPONSE
Emergency Department Consultant on Duty
Newtown Hospital
100 Main Street
Newtown
30 August 2019
Dear Doctor
Re: Ms Patricia Styles
DOB 27.04.1957
Thank you for seeing Ms Styles, a 62-year-old widow and retired school teacher, who requires your urgent investigation of a possible relapse of pericarditis.
Today, Ms Styles reports chest pain, relieved by sitting up, shortness of breath and fatigue. She has a low-grade fever (38.1°C), tachypnea (28bpm) and tachycardia (115bpm). Her blood pressure is 125/78, lower than her usual 140/90.
Ms Styles became unwell on 23 August while visiting her sister in Green Valley. She was admitted to Green Valley Hospital with fever, pleuritic chest pain, tachycardia and general malaise. Throat swab investigations confirmed viral influenza type B and an echocardiogram indicated pericarditis. Her chest X-ray was normal and Ms Styles was managed with IV saline and ibuprofen. She was discharged home on 25 August. A Nurse Home Visit was arranged for today.
Ms Styles has hypertension, diabetes type 2 and depression, managed with quinapril (Accupril) 40mg twice daily, metformin (Diabex) 500mg twice a day, and gliclazide (APO-Gliclazide MR) 30mg daily.
I suspect a relapse of pericarditis, perhaps with complications. I refer her to you for urgent assessment and management.
Yours faithfully
Nurse
Sample 2:
QUESTION 2
Read the case notes below and complete the writing task which follows.
You are the school nurse at Toohey Point Primary State School.
Today’s Date – 07/03/2020
PATIENT DETAILS:
Name: Alison Cooper
Year 5 student
DOB: 14/6/2002
Height:138cm
Weight:40 kg; Overweight for her age
Eczema outbreaks on hands and mild asthma — has ventolin inhaler
No other significant illnesses
Youngest in her class
SOCIAL HISTORY
Father died in a motor accident 18 months ago.
Lives with mother, a bank manager, working full time
Middle child- brother, Simon, aged 7 and sister, Lisa, aged 12
Paternal grandmother lives near school – provides after school and holiday care – looks after children if unwell
SCHOOL MEDICAL RECORD
Regular absences from school dating back to time of father’s death
Year 2: 3 days
Year 3: 4 days
Year 4: 10 days
Year 5: 8 days in first term
School Health Centre Records
2020
February 8:
● Complained of headache. Gave paracetamol, rested and returned to class.
● Noted eczema on hands red and weepy – has ointment at home.
February 16: Complained of stomach ache. Called grandmother for pick up.
February 22: Complained of aching legs. Called grandmother for pick up.
March 4:
● Complained of headache. Gave paracetamol, rested | hour, still had a headache.
● Called grandmother for pickup.
March 6: Feeling nauseous – eczema on hands red and weepy. Called grandmother for
pick up.
2019
February 15: Complained of toothache. Called grandmother for pick up.
April 4: Complained of headache. Gave paracetamol – rested 1 hour.
May 14: Headache, eczema on hands red and weepy, rested | hour not better called grandmother for pick up.
July 25: Feeling nauseous. Called grandmother for pick up.
August 16: Slight fever. Called grandmother for pick-up.
September 22: Feeling unwell. Eczema is irritating; Called grandmother for pick up.
October 23: Complained of stomach ache. Rested 1 hour, returned to class.
November 27: Complained of headache. Gave paracetamol, rested 30 minutes.
SOCIAL HISTORY
Alison started school well but since Grade 3 has had trouble concentrating – rarely participates in class activities unless encouraged. Avoids sporting activities — the standard of her school work is declining. Has few friends and is often teased by her classmates about eczema & weight. Embarrassed about hands which don’t seem to be
responding well to ointment suggested by the chemist.
Mother was contacted by the class teacher regarding these issues. Says Alison is also becoming withdrawn at home. Alison was very close to her father – often talks to her about him and cries because she misses him. Seeks comfort in food like chips and cakes after school.
PLAN
Refer her to the school psychologist to find out whether Alison has underlying grief related or other psychological problems.
WRITING TASK
Using the information in the case notes, write a letter to refer this girl to the school psychologist, Barnaby Webster, to assess her. Outline the purpose of the referral.
Provide details of significant factors which will assist the psychologist to make this assessment.
SAMPLE RESPONSE
Mr Barnaby Webster
School Psychologist
07 March 2020
Dear Mr Webster,
Re: Alison Cooper
D.0.B : 14 June 2002
I am writing to refer Alison, who requires psychological assessment and further management. She is suspected to have underlying grief related or other psychological problems following her father’s demise.
Alison is a year 5 student who started her school well. Since Grade 3, her academic performance is declining and her school record shows regular absences. She has had trouble concentrating and is very reluctant to join in any school activities unless persuaded. Apart from that, she has eczema on her hands which is not responding well
to the treatment as well as she is overweight for her age. She has few friends and is often teased by her peers regarding her eczema and for being overweight.
Alison lives with her mother, who is working full-time as a bank manager, and siblings. Her father died18 months ago. Her grandmother looks after the children on holidays and when they are unwell.
Alison’s teacher contacted her mother due to her situation and mother states that Alison is even withdrawn at home. Alison often talks regarding her father, who she was very close to, and cries as she misses him. She finds comfort in chips and cakes after school.
It would be greatly appreciated if you could evaluate her condition and provide appropriate assistance.
If you have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Yours sincerely,
School Nurse
Toohey Point Primary State School
Conclusion
It is important for nurses and other health professionals to develop the skills to write a referral for OET. A well-designed letter not only reflects your professionalism but also ensures that patients receive the best possible care.
By following the guidelines and tips provided in this comprehensive guide, you can enhance your OET paper writing skills and improve your chances of success.
Entri is an institute known for its expert training, state-of-the-art facilities and advanced exam preparation facilities. Through our expertise are prepared to write effective OET letters, facilitating quality patient care and professional development..
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary purpose of an OET referral letter?
The main goal is to transfer a patient’s care to a different healthcare practitioner to guarantee treatment continuity and appropriateness
What key components should be included in an OET referral letter?
The most critical elements are the introduction, the patient’s health history and present state, the rationale for the referral, pertinent test results and conclusions, and suggested courses of action or therapies
Why is it important to use appropriate medical terminology in an OET referral letter?
Using appropriate medical terminology in an OET referral letter ensures clear and precise communication regarding the patient’s condition and the reasons for referral, boosting accurate decision-making by healthcare professionals. This clarity enhances patient care by ensuring that all relevant information is effectively conveyed and understood.
