©©© 5-point format by OET Coach Alice D.
Gopez ©©©
Point #1 à INTRODUCTION – .
:
- Type of letter ( I am writing to refer, transfer, discharge, request, etc.)
-Patient’s name (Full name)
-Is patient for discharge or transfer?
- Date of admission
-If discharge letter (Write discharge date in your intro or BP#3)
-Diagnosis/Chief Complaint – Main reason why he sought help
-Main request to the reader in summarized form (ex: continuity of care is requested).
Example:
I am writing to refer Mr John Smith, who was admitted on May 1, 2021 due to tuberculosis. He is for discharge
and your continuous management and care are requested.
Point #2 à BP#1 -
Provide presenting factors during admission (Signs and Symptoms)
– Verbalized—Sinabi ni patient J
– Observed during assessment
Point #3 à BP#2 – Treatment & Management while in hospital. (All à Labs, diagnostics, meds, etc.) Past
tense – Medications : commenced on…
**Provide cause and effect**
Cause: Initial Action
Effect: Result of your action
Example:
During Mrs Smith’s hospitalization, she was commenced on furosemide 40mg daily. As a result, her shortness of breath
decreased.
Where to write Social history and Medical history?
• Ask yourself first, is it needed? If not, omit.
If needed:
Social history – write in BP#1
Medical history – write in BP#2
Tip: If the case notes has urgency/emergency, interchange BP1 and BP2. Provide the current condition of the patient and
the management given to patient à This is more important to reader. Always weigh the importance of every info in
your letter, prioritize important info at all times! J
Point #4 à Recommendations, follow-ups, requests, instructions, FYI,
(sometimes meds can be written here as well if BP2 if too much info is already written in BP2).
Use these words especially on this part :
Kindly, please, we request, it would be greatly appreciated
: Please note that, please take note that, it is important to know that, it is worth noting that,
importantly, equally important is to…
Point #5 à CLOSURE. You should know this by heart à Choose one to memorize:
Should you have further questions regarding Mrs Smith, please do not hesitate to contact me.
For further inquiries about Mrs Smith, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Use: Yours sincerely, à Name of reader is given in the case notes
Use: Yours faithfully, à Name of reader is NOT given in the case notes
Yours sincerely,
Nurse à NO NEED to write your name (Profession is enough) J
© How do I start every paragraph?
BP#1 – Mrs Smith presented to hospital—Do not use “was presented to the hospital”
BP#2 – During hospitalization, Mrs Smith was commenced on … (medications).
BP#3—Given the above information, Mrs Smith is to be discharged/transferred….
©How to manage the time?
Writing sub-test is for 45 minutes only.
5 minutes - reading (Pens down at this point) -Comprehen well and translate in Tagalog.
5 minutes – draft.. make sure you do this. Do not attempt to make a scratch letter.
30 minutes – write
5 minutes – proof read
Disregard – DO NOT USE these words:
-Moreover
-Furthermore
-Hence
-Thus
-Patient
-Sufferer, suffer, suffering
-Case, Client
Words to use:
-Subsequently,
-Consequently,
-And
-Also,
-Therefore,
-In addition,
-Initially,
-Lastly, à for multiple requests on BP3
Lastly, Mrs Smith will be escorted by her husband, Mr John Smith going back to your facility.
©Word count: 108 to 200 words only. TRY to use only 1 paper in writing your letter if possible. If not, you
can always request for an extra paper.
Updated by : OET Coach Alice D. Gopez as of April 6, 2021
