OET Writing Sample Question

Notes:

Assume that today's date is 18 May 2022
You are a practitioner examining a 45-year old female patient, Ms Jamie Joyce.

PATIENT DETAILS:

Name:    Jamie Joyce (Ms)
DOB:       19 Sep 1977

Details:
Height: 163cm Weight: 75kg BMI: 28.2 (overweight 18/6/18)

Social History:
Teacher (Secondary – History, English)
Divorced, 2 children at home (born 2008, 2010)
Non-smoker (since children born)
Social drinker – mainly spirits

Substance Intake: Nil

Allergies: Codeine; dust mites; sulphur dioxide

Family history:
Mother – hypertension; asthmatic;
Father – peptic ulcer
Maternal grandmother – died heart attack, aged 80
Maternal grandfather – died asthma attack
Paternal grandmother – unknown
Paternal grandfather – died ‘old age’ 94

Previous medical history:
Childhood asthma; chickenpox; measles
1985 tonsillectomy
1992 hepatitis A (whole family infected)
1994 sebaceous cyst removed
1997 whiplash injury
2008 depression (separation from husband); SSRI – fluoxetine 11 mths
2010 overweight – sought weight reduction
2012 URTI (Upper Respiratory Tract Infection)
2014 dyspepsia
2016 dermatitis; prescribed oral & topical corticosteroids

18 May 2022   
Presenting complaint: dysphagia (solids), onset 2 weeks ago post-viral (?) URTI
URTI self-medicated with OTC (over-the-counter) Chinese herbal product - contents unknown
No relapse/remittent course
No sensation of lump No obvious anxiety
Concomitant epigastric pain radiating to back, level T12 Weight loss: 1-2kg
Recent increase in coffee consumption
Takes aspirin occasionally (2-3 times/month); no other NSAIDs

Provisional diagnosis: gastro-oesophageal reflux +/- stricture

Plan:   
Refer gastroenterologist for opinion and endoscopy if required
Ôcoffee/alcohol intake
Cease OTC product
Pantoprazole 40mg daily

Writing Task:

Using the information in the case notes, write a letter of referral for further investigation and definitive diagnosis to the gastroenterologist, Dr Thor Odinson, at Saragasso Hospital, 007 The One Street, Saragasso.

In your answer:
●    Expand the relevant notes into complete sentences
●    Do not use note form
●    Use letter format
The body of the letter should be approximately 180–200 words.

OET SAMPLE RESPONSE

Dr Thor Odinson
Saragasso Hospital
007 The One Street
Saragasso

18 May 2022

Dear Dr Odinson,

Re: Ms Jamie Joyce, DOB 19.9.1977

Thank you for seeing Ms Joyce, a 45-year-old secondary school teacher, who presented today with a two-week history of gastro-oesophageal reflux with possible stricture. I am referring Ms Joyce to you for further investigation and an endoscopy if required.

Ms Joyce’s symptoms follow a constant course and include dysphagia for solids, epigastric pain radiating posteriorly to T12 level, and concomitant 1-2kg weight loss. The problem commenced after an upper respiratory tract infection two weeks ago for which she self- prescribed an over-the-counter Chinese herbal product with unknown ingredients. There are no apparent signs of anxiety, and no sensation of a lump.

Ms Joyce has recently increased her coffee consumption and takes aspirin 2-3 times a month. She has a history of dyspepsia (2014), and dermatitis for which she was prescribed oral and topical cortisone. She ceased smoking 15 years ago. She drinks socially (mainly spirits), has a family history of peptic ulcer disease and is allergic to codeine. Her BMI is currently 28.2.

I have recommended that Ms Joyce reduces her coffee and alcohol intake and immediately stops taking the over-the-counter product. In addition, I have prescribed Pantoprazole 40mg daily.

I would be grateful if you could provide Ms Joyce with a definitive diagnosis. If you require any further information, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Yours sincerely,
Dr.Dougie Houser