How To Write OET Referral Letters For Doctors

If you’re studying for the OET (Occupational English Test), the writing subtest can be challenging but rewarding—particularly for healthcare professionals. The most frequently asked task in the OET Writing module for doctors is composing a referral letter. Grasping this aspect is vital, not only for passing the test but also for developing actual communication skills.

In this blog, we’ll break down everything you need to know about writing a successful OET referral letter, including formatting advice, planning tips, and sample materials. Whether you’re new to writing or seeking to enhance your OET doctor writing, this guide is your ultimate resource.

The OET is specifically a test of language proficiency for medical professionals who are seeking to practice in English-speaking countries. For physicians, the writing component typically consists of writing a letter of referral from case notes. This writing task assesses your capacity to identify relevant information, present it logically, and write in a professional tone.

Purpose of a Referral Letter

A referral letter is a formal communication from one medical professional to another requesting further treatment, specialist assessment, or care for a patient. In the OET Writing test, the task is to report the patient’s condition clearly, concisely, and accurately based on the provided case notes.

A properly organized referral letter facilitates the transition of care and assures that the receiving practitioner gets clear information. For the exam, the letter serves to measure your capacity to identify key information and present it logically with the use of correct medical terminologies.

OET for Doctors Referral Letter Format

Being aware of the correct format is the secret to achieving your top score. The OET writing task is assessed on criteria such as purpose, content, clarity, conciseness, and language.

Here’s the way to structure your letter:

1. Date

Align the date at top-left (style: 16 April 2025). Utilize the date provided in the case notes.

2. Recipient’s Details

Insert the recipient’s full name, title, and address if required.

3. Salutation

Write “Dear Dr [Last Name]” or “Dear Doctor” if no name is provided.

4. Re: Line

State patient’s full name and age. For instance:
Re: Mr John Smith, aged 54

5. Introduction/Opening Paragraph

Begin with the reason for writing in the very first sentence. For instance:
I am writing to refer Mr Smith, a 54-year-old man with uncontrolled hypertension…

6. Body Paragraphs

Segment information into meaningful sections:

Past medical history relevant to the presenting complaint
Presenting symptoms
Investigations and management
Course and outcome of treatment

7. Closing Paragraph

State what action the recipient needs to take- follow-up management, further investigation, etc.

8. Sign-Off

Close with “Yours sincerely,” and your designation and name.

How to Plan Before Writing

Good writing starts with good planning. Before sitting down to write your referral letter, take 5 minutes to plan your strategy. Here are some OET doctor writing strategies to assist:

Break down the task: Who is the reader? What do they need to understand?
Identify the purpose: Is the purpose to refer, transfer, or discharge the patient?
Pinpoint key information: Circle important dates, symptoms, diagnoses, and treatments from the case notes.
Group information: Put the notes into rational groups.
Determine what to leave out: Not all the notes are important—leave out minor or solved problems that don’t contribute to the purpose.

Using this plan, you will keep your letter focused and logical, which will help you get a high score.

Sample OET Referral Letter for Doctors

Here is an example of a realistic sample referral letter that adheres to proper OET writing conventions.

16 April 2025

Dr Emma Harrison

Gastroenterologist

Sunshine Medical Centre

Sydney, NSW

Re: Mrs Maria Gomez, aged 58 years

Dear Dr Harrison,

I am writing to refer Mrs Maria Gomez, an office worker aged 58 years, who has symptoms of upper gastrointestinal bleeding and needs specialist evaluation.

Mrs Gomez has had intermittent epigastric pain for the last three months, which has worsened in the last week. She had two episodes of black, tarry stools over the last 48 hours and mild dizziness. She has osteoarthritis and a long history of NSAID usage (ibuprofen). Her current blood pressure was 110/70 mmHg, and her hemoglobin was 9.5 g/dL.

She has been instructed to discontinue NSAIDs and initiate a proton pump inhibitor. With her present symptoms, I think that an emergency endoscopy should be done to rule out a potential peptic ulcer or other GI pathology.

Thank you for attending to Mrs Gomez at your earliest convenience.

Yours sincerely,

Dr Rahul Menon

General Practitioner

This OET referral practice example illustrates how to choose important medical information and report it professionally.

Practice & Resources for Improvement

To enhance your OET writing, regular practice and feedback are a must. Some practical resources and tips are provided below:

✅ Official OET Materials

Begin with official OET writing samples and practice tests to get used to actual exam situations.

✅ Writing Corrections

Post your letters to experienced mentors for customized corrections and suggestions.

✅ Case Note Practice

Utilize a range of case notes to enhance your skills in quickly extracting relevant information.

✅ Enroll in an OET Coaching Centre

Enrolling in a reputable OET coaching centre can offer access to mock tests, sample letters, and individual guidance.

✅ Emphasize Feedback

Use rubrics in terms of the five OET writing criteria—purpose, content, conciseness, genre and style, and language.

Rehearsing different situations will also make you adaptable in writing and minimize errors on the actual test.

Final Tips to Ace Your OET Doctor Referral Letter

Want to get a better score? Remember the following OET writing tips:

Be concise: Stick between 180–200 words.
Write professionally: Use clinical language and don’t use slang words.
Adopt chronological order as required, particularly if the case is a progressive symptom.
Use connecting words: Like “therefore,” “however,” and “in addition” for a smooth transition.
Proofread grammar and spelling: Errors in medical communication can be critical—even during the exam!

Conclusion

To write an effective OET referral letter for doctors, you need to have a mix of language skills, medical precision, and proper structuring. Having a clear idea of the format, practicing with actual case notes, and regular feedback, you can acquire the skills necessary to perform well in the OET writing sub-test.

If you want expert assistance, enrolling in an OET coaching center such as Neethu’s Academy in Kerala may be the way to your success. Under expert guidance, structured lessons, and practical sessions with real test scenarios, you will be more than ready to tackle the exam.