GENERAL STRUCTURE OF OET LETTER
DETAILS OF THE READER
NAME
DESIGNATION
ADDRESS
DATE OF WRITING THE LETTER
(According to the case note)
GREETING
Dear Dr Sam
(If name of the reader is given write the name with salutation)
Dear Doctor
(or else write the designation of the reader)
REFERENCE LINE
Re: Mr/Mrs/Ms Patient Full name; D.O.B: 19/07/1988 (Any format)
(Patient’s full name with salutation and D.O.B )
Now starts the body of the letter. From here the word count starts.
INTRODUCTION PARAGRAPH
Introduce the patient and the reason for writing.
1). Patient full name
2). Related concern
3). What patient requires from the reader
FIRST PARAGRAPH
Write the current situation of the patient
1). Presenting complaints
2). Observations
3). Assessments
4). Treatments given
5). Progress
(Split the paragraph if it goes longer)
SECOND PARAGRAPH
(History of the patient: First Social history followed by medical history)
1). Relevant social history
2). Relevant medical history
(Make sure to write only relevant information. It is based on:
1). To whom we are writing the letter
2). For what we are writing the letter)
THIRD PARAGRAPH
Request/ recommendation paragraph
1). The basic necessity for the patient
2). Relevant care needed
3). Relevant procedures to be done
4). Relevant reference
5). Precautionary statements
FOURTH PARAGRAPH
(Conclusion paragraph)
1). Documents attached
2). Contact for further details
SIGN OFF
Yours faithfully
(If the reader’s name is not given)
Yours sincerely
(If the readers name is given)
(Leave one or two line)
JOB TITLE
(Your job title as per the case note)
Note:
1). This is a general format and varies with the type of letter.
2). Recommended to have 3 to 6 paragraphs in your letter.
3). Order the content according to the relevance of the letter.
4). You can club the points from the case note to give better clarity to the reader.
Important:
1). Identify who you are from the case note.
2). Read the case note and find out:
To who you write.
What type of letter it is?
Why you write the letter?