Below are OET sample case notes of an urgent / emergency sample OET referral letter to a doctor (neurologist). The scenario involves multiple visits by a patient and finally a referral sent to a neurologist on an urgent basis. Many OET candidates, especially doctors and nurses, are often confused as to what should be the paragraphing like in an emergency OET letter. Generally, an OET referral letter contains information in a chronological order of events, whereas an emergency OET letter may require a different order. Let’s find out from the sample OET letter below.
Table of Contents
- OET Urgent / Emergency Case Notes
- Body Paragraph 1 – Current Condition
- Body Paragrph 2 – First Visit
- Body Paragraph 3 – Second Visit
- Conclusion
- OET Urgent Letter Mock Test
- Final Sample Letter
Although the urgent referral letter case notes below are not very long, the information given in it is very important and should be included in the letter. Since there are 3 visits (2 by the patient and 1 to the patient’s home), there is a need to write about the visits and respective information in such a manner that there is a logical flow for the reader to understand the scenario better. These visits mainly cover symptoms, assessment and requisite treatment before referring the patient on an urgent basis to a specialist.
Also, the sample urgent OET referral letter scores high points on ability to write information in brief and covering more information per sentence. Length of this urgent referral letter is also within 180-200 words. The nurse here has taken good care of articles, capitalisation, tenses and word choice. Also, change in condition over a period of time has been covered. Above all, paragraphing in the emergency OET referral letter is logical and there is good coherence throughout.
For OET writing sub-test, our teachers at Benchmark OET can help you write such OET letter samples for nursing, medicine, physiotherapy, pharmacy etc. All you have to do is join our OET Writing Correction service and we will correct all your mistakes in the referral letters and give you the most accurate tips for writing sub-test. This way you can find the most accurate answers for your OET letter. More Writing Guides for
OET Urgent Case Notes
Today’s Date
28 April 2021
Julia Roberts is 39 years old. She has been a patient at a hospital you are working in as a head nurse. Apart from appendicitis, she had been healthy.
22/4/2021
Subjective
Frontal headache for 5 hrs
Mild assoc
Nausea, no vomiting
Blurred vision but not aura
No other symptoms
No family history of migraine
Objective
P96, BP 130/70
Normal Cervical Spine Movement
Examination normal
Assessment
Probably due to excess tension or personal dilemma
Plan
Advised to take rest
Given analgesia (paracetamol 500mg 4h)
27/4/2021
Subjective
Continuous headache (left sided and frontal)
Blurred vision
Throbbing headache (left side)
Vomited 5 times during last three hours
Complaining of slight paresthesia
Objective
Distressed, P103, BP 150/90
Normal peripheral nervous System
Assessment
Severe Migraine Possibility
Plan
Stat pethidine 100 mg
IM maxolon 10mg
28/4/2021
Home Visit
Subjective
Fell down at home due to severe left sided headache started some 5 hrs after reaching home
Injured right arm
Bruises on left leg
Slurred speech
Half unconscious
Objective
P 100, BP 150/90
Left leg knee flexion 4/5
Assessment
Probable intracranial pathology, space occupying lesions
Plan
Urgent assessment in ED
OET Writing Task
Using the information given above, write a letter to the Dr Silver Bullet, the Neurologist who will attend the patient in the Emergency at the Prospect Hospital, 22 Prospect Road, Prospect 5086.
In your answer:
- Expand the relevant case notes into complete sentences
- Do not use note form
- Use correct OET letter format
- The body of your OET letter should be approximately 180 – 200 words
Introduction
Introduction of an emergency letter is more or less the same as that of a referral one. The only difference is to emphasise urgency of the situation. So, focus on your assessment and purpose in the introduction. The reader (Dr Silver Bullet) would be more interested in finding out what is expected of her.
Remember this is still a type of a referral letter, so, you can write in your answer: I am writing to refer
Add name, age and marital status: Ms Roberts, a 39-year-old woman
Now, it’s important to understand that you as a nurse cannot diagnose and would prefer to refer the patient to a specialist for a conclusive diagnosis and treatment. Hence, an appropriate phrase to use would be “signs and symptoms”. Writing “was diagnosed with” would be incorrect.
Add chief complaint: who shows signs and symptoms of
Next, you’ll need to write down the purpose. Make sure you the purpose is written in summary form and does not include excessive detail. Since the patient is being sent to an emergency department, writing “urgent assessment and management” seems logical.
Purpose: She requires urgent assessment and management.
So introduction of your OET letter would be like this:
I am writing to refer Ms Joseph, a 39-year-old woman who shows signs and symptoms of space occupying lesions and intracranial pathology. She requires urgent assessment and management.
Current Condition – Body Para 1
This is the paragraph where orgnaisation of information of an urgent OET letter differs from a normal OET referral letter. First body paragraph should start with the current condition of the patient. As the reader, neurologist in our case, would like to know more about the current condition / symptoms of the patient in order to have better overall understanding of the scenario, writing whatever took place today or before transferring the patient to the ED is a logical step.
You can start by covering the subject notes followed by objective ones.
Hence writing this would make more sense: Today, Ms Joseph
Things worth mentioning:
- Fell down at home
- Injuries
- Speech & consciousness
As there is more information to cover, try to group symptoms and vitals wherever possible. Transitions can be used at the same time to move from one sentence to another. However, care must be taken not to use too many academic and informal connectors and the flow should natural as much as possible.
She also had slurred speech and sustained bruises on her left leg and injuries to the right arm.
You can write the objectives in the same manner.
- P 100
- BP 150/90
- Left leg knee flexion 4/5
Read the sentence below:
Her pulse and BP were high at 100 and 150/90 respectively, whereas left leg knee flexion was at 4/5.
Let’s combine all the sentences and see if we have been able to cover information in cohe
Today, Ms. Joseph fell down at home due to severe left sided headache and was half unconscious. She also had slurred speech and sustained bruises on her left leg and injuries to the right arm. Her pulse and BP were high at 100 and 150/90 respectively, whereas left leg knee flexion was at 4/5.
First Visit
In order to allow the reader to make an overall progression of the patient’s condition over a period of time, you should focus on writing the case notes starting from the first visit and then move the subsequent visits if any. Since the first visit took place on 22 April 2021, you can start the paragraph by writing the date first. Following are the relevant case notes
- Frontal headache for 6 hrs
- Mild assoc
- Nausea
- Blurred vision
Hence writing this would make more sense: On April 22, Ms Roberts initially presented to our hospital with a 5-hour history of frontal headache accompanied with….
As the objectives were relatively okay, you may or may not add those depending on the length of the letter. To keep this training article brief, we have decided to ignore the following notes but if you deem fit, you may add them.
- P96, BP 130/70
- Normal Cervical Spine Movement
- Examination normal
Next in line of your OET letter is assessment and plan. Here you can use the approach of reason and action.
- Probably due to excess tension or personal dilemma
- Advised to take rest
- Given analgesia (paracetamol (500mg 4h)
Due to possibility of personal dilemma and excess tension, paracetamol 500mg was given every 4 hours and rest was advised.
Let’s have a look at the paragraph now
On May 10, Ms Roberts initially presented to our hospital with a 5-hour history of frontal headache accompanied with mild association of nausea and blurred vision. Due to possibility of personal dilemma and excess tension, paracetamol 500mg was given and every 4 hours and rest was advised.
Second Visit
Subsequent visits are always very important and to gain extra marks try to also present change in condition over the period of time so the reader could understand whether the patient’s condition has been improving or deteriorating. This time Ms Roberts returned 4 days later with worsening symptoms. Below are the useful case notes that can be added:
- Continuous headache (left sided and frontal)
- Blurred vision
- Throbbing headache (left side)
- Vomited 5 times during last three hours
- Complaining of slight paresthesia
When writing about change in condition and the two events occurred in the past, you can safely use past participle. Here is how:
Ms Roberts’ condition had worsened over the next four days and she vomited five times. She appeared distressed and complained of slight paresthesia and blurred vision.
Let’s look at the vitals and the treatment plan
- Distressed, P 103, BP 150/90
- Stat pethidine 100 mg
- IM maxolon 10mg
Her pulse and BP were high at 103 and 150/90 respectively. As a result, Maxolon 10mg intramuscular inject and pethidine 100mg were administered.
Check the complete paragraph below
Ms Robert’s condition had worsened over the next four days and she vomited five times. As well as this, she appeared distressed and complained of slight paresthesia and blurred vision. Her pulse and BP were high at 103 and 150/90 respectively. As a result, Maxolon 10mg intramuscular inject and pethidine 100mg were administered.
Conclusion
As there is no significant medical history or social factors of the patient, you can move to the concluding paragraph reiterating the need for assessment and management. So, you can write the following
Your assessment and management of Ms Roberts would be highly appreciated. Please do not hesitate to contact me should you require further information.
OET Urgent Letter Mock Test
Sample OET Emergency Letter
28/09/2018
Dr. Silver Bullet
Prospect Medical Center
22 Prospect Road
Prospect 5086
Dear Dr Bullet,
Re: Ms Julia Roberts
I am writing to refer Ms Roberts, a 36-year-old woman who shows signs and symptoms of space occupying lesions and intracranial pathology. She requires urgent assessment and management.
Today, Ms. Roberts fell down five hours after reaching her home due to severe left sided headache and was half unconscious. She also had slurred speech and sustained bruises on her left leg and injuries to the right arm. Her pulse and BP were high at 100 and 150/90 respectively, whereas left leg knee flexion was at 4/5.
On May 10, Ms Roberts initially presented to our hospital with a 5-hour history of frontal headache accompanied with mild association of nausea and blurred vision. Due to possibility of personal dilemma and excess tension, paracetamol 500mg every four hours was given and rest was advised.
Ms Roberts’ condition had worsened over the next four days and she vomited five times. As well as this, she appeared distressed and had slight paraesthesia and blurred vision. Also, her pulse and BP were high at 103 and 150/90 respectively. As a result, Maxolon 10mg intramuscular injection and pethidine 100mg stat were administered.
Your assessment and management of Ms Roberts would be highly appreciated. Please do not hesitate to contact me should you require further information.
Yours sincerely,
Nurse
Hope you like the above OET urgent letter sample. Visit other posts for more such samples and relevant answers to your doubts in the writing sub-test.
FAQs
How do you write a refer back letter? ›
- Start with a salutation. Start your letter with a greeting, such as Dear Sir/Madam last name or Dear Hiring Director. ...
- Explain your relationship with the candidate. ...
- Include information on the person you're writing about. ...
- Reiterate your referral. ...
- Finish with a signature.
Writing 'introduction' of an update OET letter is not much different from a discharge or referral letter. It includes the name of the patient, introduces the medical complaint and discusses the reason for writing the letter. Tip 6: Keep in mind that excluding the purpose would affect your score negatively.
What is the Writing structure of OET? ›The Writing sub-test is structured in two parts: reading time and writing time. For the first part, candidates are allotted 5 minutes; they are instructed to read the task instructions and case notes thoroughly. Candidates have 40 minutes to proceed with the writing and complete the task as instructed.
How do I start an OET referral letter? ›- #1 Use the reading time accordingly. ...
- #2 Organize the case notes in a structured manner. ...
- #3 Include at least one of the following points or both for a positive impact. ...
- #4 Distinguish between main and secondary issues. ...
- #5 Understand the task & check out samples. ...
- #6 Write a separate paragraph for any other details.
- Accept if you can provide a quality reference. ...
- Request details about the job opening. ...
- Ask your friend about goals and objectives. ...
- Discuss the background of your relationship. ...
- Mention examples of skills and qualifications. ...
- Focus on improvement and progress.
- Coworker.
- Co-volunteer or volunteer leader.
- Coach.
- Client or customer.
- Vendor or business acquaintance.
- Professor or academic advisor.
- Personal or professional mentor.
- Fellow student or graduate from an educational program.
- Give details for how you know the applicant. The closer you've worked with her, the stronger your reference letter.
- Paint the picture of why you recommend the candidate. Measurable achievements make a letter of reference sparkle.
- Offer to talk more with the addressee.
Dear [insert name], I am writing to recommend [employee_name]. [He/She/They] worked with us at [company_name] as a [employee_job_title] and [reported to me/ worked with me] in my position as [insert your job title]. As an employee, [employee_name] was always [insert quality].
What are the 3 steps of an introduction? ›- An opening hook to catch the reader's attention.
- Relevant background information that the reader needs to know.
- A thesis statement that presents your main point or argument.
Posing a question, defining the key term, giving a brief anecdote, using a playful joke or emotional appeal, or pulling out an interesting fact are just a few approaches you can take. Use imagery, details, and sensory information to connect with the reader if you can.
How do you write a good introduction example? ›
- Keep your first sentence short.
- Don't repeat the title.
- Keep the introduction brief.
- Use the word “you” at least once.
- Dedicate 1-2 sentences to articulating what the article covers.
- Dedicate 1-2 sentences to explaining why the article is important.
OET listening part C is often cited by candidates as being the most challenging of the listening sections of the OET exam. Like OET listening part B, it uses a multiple-choice format, however, unlike part B, the texts are of an extended nature, typically around six-and-a-half to seven minutes in length.
How can I improve my writing skills in OET? ›Practicing lots of OET tasks is a common approach to preparing for the OET speaking and writing test. In fact, many students write referral letter after referral letter based on case notes to prepare. These letters are designed to replicate the OET writing experience.
What is full C+ in OET? ›If you are writing a personal letter of reference, include a salutation (Dear Dr. Smith, Dear Mr. Jones, etc.). If you are writing a general reference letter, say "To Whom it May Concern" or simply don't include a salutation.
Who is qualified to write a referral letter? ›A character or personal reference letter can be written by a family friend, mentor, or neighbor who can attest to the traits that would make them a good candidate for the position they are seeking.1 This type of letter explains how the writer knows them and discusses their personal attributes as they would apply in a ...
How do you write a strong referral? ›- Include both addresses.
- Write a brief introduction.
- Give an overview of the applicant's strengths.
- Share a story of the applicant.
- Add a closing statement.
- Leave a signature.
Introducing Yourself
As explained by employment website Indeed, you should open your letter by establishing who you're writing in regard to and then go into your description about your relationship to the subject. The more specific you are in this introduction, the greater impact you'll make for your colleague.
References who will take the time to prepare and deliver specific recommendations are often the most powerful. Your best references will be able to speak concretely and anecdotally about your skills, work ethic, and achievements on the job, in the classroom, or in your community.
What are positive qualities for reference? ›Leadership skills, dedication, ability to focus, and ability to learn quickly are all skills that are good to highlight in a recommendation letter. A great letter of recommendation balances describing both work that someone has done in the past and how it relates to their suitability for the position.
What are the three 3 styles in writing references? ›
APA (American Psychological Association) is used by Education, Psychology, and Sciences. MLA (Modern Language Association) style is used by the Humanities. Chicago/Turabian style is generally used by Business, History, and the Fine Arts.
How do you start a reference letter in a sentence? ›To whom it may concern, It is my pleasure to recommend [employee name] for the position of [open role] at [company name]. During the [number of] years that I was his manager at [company name], I had the opportunity to observe him grow from a curious and dedicated [previous role] to our top [latest role].
How do you write references properly? ›The basic structure of a book reference should list the author's last name, the first initial of their first name, the first initial of their middle name (if applicable), publication year, book title, edition (if it isn't the first), and publisher. This is the same format for both books and ebooks.
How do you introduce yourself? ›A self-introduction should include your name and occupation (or desired occupation) and key facts that will help you make an impression on the person you're communicating with. In a few sentences, cover the most important things others need to know about you.
What makes a good introduction? ›What should an introduction do? interest and attention, creating incentive for them to continue reading. Provide essential background information about the essay's main topic. writing, expresses the essay's main idea/argument, and provides a direction or outline for the body of the paper.
What is the 3 paragraph rule introduction? ›A good introduction to a research paper can be as short as 3 paragraphs. It requires convincing people that your issue is important (paragraph 1), explaining what information gaps are still out there (paragraph 2), and demonstrating that your paper will at least partially fill one or more of those gaps (paragraph 3).
What is the best word to start a introduction? ›Below is a list of possible sentence starters, transitional and other words that may be useful. This essay discusses … … is explored … … is defined … The definition of … will be given … is briefly outlined … … is explored … The issue focused on …. … is demonstrated ... … is included …
What is the best introduction sentence? ›Think of your first sentence as a hook that draws your reader in. As you have researched your topic, you have probably discovered many interesting anecdotes, quotes, or trivial facts; these make great hooks to use for an engaging introduction.
What is a good starting sentence? ›Start with the chase. A good hook might also be a question or a claim—anything that will elicit an emotional response from a reader. Think about it this way: a good opening sentence is the thing you don't think you can say, but you still want to say. Like, “This book will change your life.”
What are 3 characteristics of a good introduction? ›A good introduction should identify your topic, provide essential context, and indicate your particular focus in the essay. It also needs to engage your readers' interest.
What is an acceptable OET score in USA? ›
What score do I need to pass the OET? Registered Nurses should aim for these minimum scores in the four sub-sets: 300 in Writing, 300 in Listening, 300 in Reading, and 350 in Speaking. More specifically, you will need a Grade of C+ or higher in Reading, Writing, and Listening, and a Grade of B or higher in Speaking.
How many mistakes are allowed on OET? ›Myth 3: There is a certain number of grammar or spelling mistakes that are “allowed” in the OET Writing sub-test. This is certainly not true. There is no particular number of mistakes that is going to automatically affect your grade.
How can I pass OET exam easily? ›- Improve Your English 6-week challenge.
- Free sample practice tests for OET on paper and OET on computer/at home.
- Masterclass videos explaining each of the four OET sub-tests (Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking)
- The OET blog contains searchable test tips for each sub-test.
- Take a few minutes. Read and understand the writing prompts before choosing which one you will address. ...
- Plan Your Essay. ...
- Consider Your Audience. ...
- Show What You Know. ...
- Edit and Proofread Your Work. ...
- Take Your Time. ...
- Understand the Essay's Purpose.
- Start with a mind-map. ...
- Use an outline. ...
- Learn how to type. ...
- Revise, revise and revise some more. ...
- Have a native-speaker proofread your work. ...
- Use spelling and grammar checks. ...
- Build your productive vocabulary. ...
- Spend more time reading in English.
But while more and more candidates are taking up the OET test, it is not easy. A large number of candidates are not able to get Grade B in all the sub-tests, which is something that most organizations ask for.
Which country accepts C+ in OET? ›United Kingdom is one of the reputed OET c+ grade accepting countries. To register and work in the UAE, one must secure a B grade in all four modules.
What is the lowest score in OET? ›The four sub-tests that make up the OET are reported on a scale from 0 to 500 in ten-point increments (e.g. 350, 360, 370 etc). The numerical score will be mapped to a separate letter grade for each sub-test ranging from A (highest) to E (lowest). There is no overall grade for OET.
How do you write a referral for a nurse? ›- Write a strong introduction. ...
- Talk about their skills and qualifications. ...
- Provide specific examples that highlight their skills. ...
- End with a strong conclusion.
1. Referrals should be made in consultation with and with the consent of the person concerned. The need for further assessment should be fully explained, together with the likely management and treatment options.
What is an example of a letter of recommendation nurse? ›
It is with great pleasure that I recommend Gwen Roring for the position of Nurse at your facility. When Gwen was studying nursing, she worked many hours at our hospital and made a very positive impression on everyone. She knew her craft, she had a great rapport with patients and she was extremely responsible.
How do you write a referral in an application letter? ›Include the individual by name and describe your connection with them as well. Explain how you know the person. Give a brief account of how you know the person, and explain how they came to be familiar with your work qualifications and skills. Describe why they are recommending you.
How do you write a referral sentence? ›1. The doctor will give you a referral to a specialist in your area. 2. Legal Aid can often provide referral to other types of agencies.
What is written in a referral? ›A former employer or co-worker writes an employment referral letter. This type of letter includes information about your employment history, job performance, work ethic and professional accomplishments. They prove to recruiters that you are a capable employee.
What do you say when giving a referral? ›- The name of the job applicant.
- The name of the company.
- The name of the hiring manager or recipient of the letter.
- Your full name and contact information.
- Language from the job listing that correlates with the individual's skills and abilities.
- How you know the individual.
- Stage 1: Initial concern regarding a student's progress.
- Stage 2: Information gathering.
- Stage 3: Information sharing and team discussion.
- Stage 4: Discussion of possible strategies.
- Stage 5: Implementation and monitoring of strategies.
- Your source discovers a referral opportunity for you.
- Research the referral. ...
- Check back in with your referral source to complete the research.
- Meet with the referral.
- Report back to your referral source on the outcome of the meeting.
- Your source gets feedback from the referral.
- Describe your personal relationship with the student. ...
- Provide specific examples of the student's abilities and work ethic. ...
- Stay away from vague wording and phrases. ...
- Take the specific job or school into account.
- Identify Topics. Ask the person for whom you're writing the letter what topics he'd like you to cover. ...
- Explain Relationship. ...
- Provide Examples. ...
- Encourage Follow-Up.
Letter of Recommendation Template
It's my absolute pleasure to recommend [Name] for [position] with [Company]. [Name] and I [relationship] at [Company] for [length of time]. I thoroughly enjoyed my time working with [Name], and came to know [him/her/them] as a truly valuable asset to our team.
How do you introduce yourself when referred? ›
How do you say you've been referred to someone? A brief statement along the lines of “(Name) has referred me to this role in your esteemed company, which I believe I would be a great fit for”. Keep this introduction brief and positive, before showcasing who you are.