If you’re a healthcare professional preparing for the OET, you probably already know it’s not just about speaking or understanding English, it’s about communicating clearly in a professional setting. The writing section of the exam can be tough, but with the right approach, you can make it a lot easier. You’ll be asked to write a letter based on case notes, which sounds straightforward but requires careful thought to get right. Here are some tips that might help you improve your writing and feel more confident going into the exam.
1. Understand the Task
This might seem simple, but take a moment to really understand the task. You’ll usually be writing a referral letter, and the case notes will give you all the info you need. The problem is, you don’t need to write down everything that’s in the notes. Instead, focus on what’s the main issue with the patient, what treatments are they on, and what do you need the recipient of the letter to do?
Don’t immediately start writing but spend a minute figuring out what the reader really needs to know so you can highlight the key points without overloading them with unnecessary details.
2. Keep It Simple and Clear
In healthcare, clarity is essential. Don’t make your writing overly complicated, just stick to short, clear sentences while conveying all important information. If a sentence is too long or hard to follow, break it into two or three shorter ones. It’s tempting to use big words, but simple language is often more effective, especially when you want to make sure the reader understands quickly.
3. Get the Tone Right
Finding the right tone is always tricky. You want to sound professional but also a bit approachable. You don’t want to come off too stiff, but also not too casual. Think about how you would talk to a colleague, polite, clear, and friendly without being too formal.
If you’re writing about something urgent, don’t be afraid to express that, but do it in a way that’s measured. For example, instead of saying “The patient is critical!” you could say, “The patient’s condition needs close monitoring.” It still gets the point across but sounds a bit more professional.
4. Double-Check for Mistakes
Even though it’s not all about perfect grammar, don’t skip the proofreading. You don’t want small mistakes, like incorrect punctuation or misspelled medical terms, to distract from your message. Give your letter a quick once-over before you hand it in.
5. Organise Your Letter Well
Having a clear structure makes your letter easier to read and helps ensure you hit all the key points. In general, your letter should have three parts:
- Introduction: Start by introducing the patient and explaining the reason for the letter.
- Body: Provide the details of the patient’s condition, treatment, and what you need the recipient to do.
- Conclusion: Wrap things up by summarizing the important details and suggesting the next steps.
A simple, well-organised letter will always be easier for the reader to follow.
6. Avoid Overloading on Medical Jargon
Medical terms are important, but don’t go overboard. Your reader may not be as familiar with some of the specific terms you use, so it’s better to stick to the basics unless you absolutely need to use more technical language. Your goal is for the letter to be clear and easy to understand, not to impress with fancy terms.
7. Practice Time Management
You only have 45 minutes, so you need to manage your time wisely. It can be easy to get caught up in trying to make every sentence perfect, but don’t let that slow you down. Practice writing under time constraints, so you get a feel for how long it takes to get through everything. The more you practice, the easier it gets to balance speed with quality.
Final Thoughts
Improving your OET writing is all about practice and getting used to the format. The more you write, the more comfortable you’ll get with hitting all the important points without overcomplicating things. Keep things clear, concise, and professional, and don’t get too hung up on small mistakes. With time, you’ll feel much more confident going into the writing section, and before you know it, it’ll be just another part of the exam you can handle.
At EnglishWise, we are a team offering comprehensive and personalised OET coaching. No matter where you are in your preparatory journey, whether you are just getting started or simply need some tips to ensure you are completely ready, we can offer the assistance you need. Connect with us today.
