OET Writing Tips for Medical Correspondence: A Complete Guide for Doctors

For doctors trained internationally, clearing the OET (Occupational English Test) is usually the first step towards a career in English-speaking healthcare systems such as the UK, Australia, and Ireland. Of the four sub-tests—Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking, the Writing sub-test is often difficult for doctors. It’s not merely about using good grammar but showing clarity, relevance, and clinical judgment in a professional setting.

In the OET writing section, doctors need to compose formal medical correspondence, most often a referral, discharge, or follow-up letter, from a given set of case notes. To assist you in achieving success, this blog provides key OET writing tips for medical correspondence, useful practice strategies, and tested methods of enhancing your writing mark and confidence.

Understanding OET Medical Correspondence

The medical correspondence section of the OET is intended to evaluate how well you can convey information about healthcare in written format. The structure simulates real-life situations in which a doctor may write a referral letter to a specialist or give a discharge summary to a primary physician.

The main features of the OET Writing sub-test:

Duration: 45 minutes (5 minutes for reading case notes, 40 minutes for writing)

Task Type: Write a single letter from the case notes given

Audience: Another health professional (GP, specialist, community nurse, etc.)

Word Limit: Around 180–200 words

The letter has to be in a professional format, with appropriate clinical terminology, and contain only information relevant to the purpose of the task. Achieving this format is important for any physician seeking to attain a Band B (350 points) or higher.

Key Writing Tips for Success

Here are some proven OET writing tips specifically for doctors composing medical correspondence.

1. Know the Task Purpose and Reader

Read the task carefully before you start writing. Understand:

To whom the letter is being written

What type of letter it is (transfer, discharge, referral, etc.)

The letter’s purpose

Knowing the role of the reader will help you in presenting the information in the right way and applying the right tone. A specialist needs different information than a community health nurse, for instance.

2. Choose Only Pertinent Information

It is common for many applicants to mistake the facts in the case notes. Try focusing on what is clinically important for writing the letter. For example, if the purpose of the letter is a referral for cardiac symptoms, you wouldn’t necessarily need to mention minor previous illnesses not related to the one at hand.

Your aim should be to summarise, arrange, and effectively accentuate major details.

3. Use the Standard OET Letter Format

A good OET letter format helps convey information logically. Here’s a guideline for structuring your letter:

Recipient details and date

Greeting and patient reference line

Opening paragraph – State the purpose of the letter clearly (e.g., referral or discharge).

Main body – Outline the clinical background, symptoms, treatments, investigations, and progress in a logical order.

Closing paragraph – State what is expected from the recipient, such as ongoing management or follow-up.

Signing off – Write in a professional tone (“Yours sincerely” if you’re familiar with the name of the recipient).

Using this format keeps your writing well-structured and easy to read.

4. Use Clear and Relevant Clinical Language

Physicians have to make use of accurate clinical terms, but it is also crucial to be clear. Don’t use jargon or rare abbreviations. Don’t write “Rx Metoprolol OD.” Write “Metoprolol 50 mg daily.

This is particularly significant when describing diagnoses, medications, or treatment plans. Clarity and simplicity usually beat out complexity.

5. Use Professional Tone and Style

Always be formal in tone. Avoid contractions (use “does not” rather than “doesn’t”) and personal comments. Be objective, specific, and respectful. Your writing must meet the standards of medical professionalism required in actual communication.

6. Review Grammar, Tense, and Sentence Structure

Minor grammatical mistakes result in losing points. Be careful about:

Use of tense: Past tense for patient history, present tense for present condition

Articles: Use of “a,” “an,” and “the” correctly

Punctuation: Proper use of commas and periods

Sentence structure: Do not have run-on sentences; maintain conciseness

Enhancing your grammar and style will make you express your ideas more effectively.

7. Practice Daily with Real-Situation Examples

One of the most effective ways to improve is through OET correspondence practice using past papers, sample case notes, or mock exams. Practice writing within the 40-minute limit and simulate test conditions. After writing, evaluate your letter or get it reviewed by an experienced OET trainer.

Enrolling in an expert OET coaching centre can provide structured feedback and correction support, which is essential for growth.

OET Sample Letter for Doctors

Below is a brief sample of a referral letter template that meets OET writing requirements:

Re: Mr. John Matthew, DOB: 22 March 1980

Dear Dr. Patel,

I am referring Mr. Matthew, 43 years old, electrician, with symptoms indicative of angina for the past two weeks.Pain is exertional, to the left arm, and relieved by rest. He has a background of Type 2 diabetes and hyperlipidemia, managed on metformin and atorvastatin. ECG today showed inversion of T-waves in the anterior leads. I would appreciate it if you could do an additional cardiac evaluation.

Contact me if you require any additional information.

Yours sincerely,

Dr. Anil Menon

This demonstrates relevance, clarity, and professionalism, desired by OET examiners when they score doctor writing proficiency.

Practice & Getting Feedback

In order to excel in OET writing, candidates need constant practice assisted by expert feedback. Below are some effective ways:

Become a Member of a Renowned OET Coaching Centre

A quality training centre provides structured practice sessions, personal feedback, exemplar answers, and tested guidance.

Use Official OET Practice Materials

Start with sample tests and case notes on the official OET website. Use the letter format and mark yourself according to the scoring criteria.

Peer Review and Study Groups

Practice writing with other OET aspirants and swap letters to critique one another. Just make sure someone with good English and medical communication expertise leads the discussion.

Online Letter Correction Services

Some tools provide professional writing correction with detailed remarks on structure, grammar, and pertinence.

Use these regularly for accelerated improvement.

Conclusion

Passing the OET writing sub-test for doctors is not just about using clear language; it’s about producing accurate, relevant, and professional medical documents. Mastering the format, concentrating on clinical application, and practicing under actual exam conditions will enable you to confidently get a score of 350 or more. Remember that strategic practice is where improvement comes from. If you are starting or trying to raise your existing score, enrolling in Neethu’s Academy, one of the best OET coaching centres in Kerala can make it more effective and targeted.