OET Preparation for Physiotherapist Discharge Plans: Format, Tips & Practice

The Occupational English Test (OET) is a specially designed language test for healthcare professionals. It tests candidates’ English skills in actual clinical settings, a choice preferred over a general English test, such as IELTS. The most significant component of the OET test is the Writing sub-test, where physiotherapists are generally asked to write discharge plans based on the case notes provided.

Preparing a well-organized, correct, and professional OET discharge plan requires more than good language skills — it requires clinical reasoning, filtering of relevant information, and mastering the right OET discharge format. In this ultimate guide, we will walk you through everything you need to know to excel at OET preparation for physiotherapist discharge plans, from getting to know the writing task to practicing with real-world cases.

Knowing the OET Writing Task for Physiotherapists

In the OET writing test, physiotherapists must compose a letter (normally a referral, transfer, or discharge letter) to another healthcare provider from the case notes given. You will have 5 minutes to read the case notes and 40 minutes to complete the letter.

The main criteria for assessment are:

Purpose: Is your letter’s purpose evident from the start?

Content: Have you put down the appropriate information?

Conciseness & Clarity: Have you excluded unnecessary repetition or irrelevant information?

Genre & Style: Is the tone suitable for the addressee (e.g., GP, specialist, community nurse)?

Organisation & Layout: Does your letter have a clear and logical structure?

Language: Is your spelling correct, and are you selecting suitable vocabulary?

To enhance your writing skills as a physiotherapist, prioritize clarity, precision, and relevance, and do not merely use a large vocabulary. Your aim is effective communication in a clinical environment.