Language: Simple past, present perfect or present perfect progressive? 

Subject: Drug abuse

Length: 7:41 (mins)

In this quick video tutorial we use the topic of drug abuse and the use of the grammar tenses simple past, present perfect or present perfect progressive. 

Watch the video and then test your knowledge with this short quiz. 

There are 9 criteria OET uses to decide your score when you do the speaking test. Knowing the criteria can help with your preparation. A study partner is an excellent way to prepare or with an expert OET speaking practice coach who can give you honest feedback, strategies and an estimated OET grade. 

OET SPEAKING CRITERIA 

1 Intelligibility (6 points)

It is expected that you will have an accent. However, your pronunciation, word
stress and rhythm should still be clear and easy to understand.

• Many words in English sound similar but not exactly the same (e.g. share, chair) Your pronunciation should not cause a strain to understand your word choice. e.g. ...

Language: Simple past or present perfect? 

Subject: Depression

Length: 5:56 (mins)

In this quick video tutorial we use the topic of depression and the use of the grammar tenses simple past vs. present perfect. 

Watch the video and then test your knowledge with this short quiz.

Concluding your letter

Thank you for continuing the care of ... (patient name OR this patient)

OR

I would appreciate your further assessment and management OR treatment...

• regarding ... (specific condition)
• of suspected/potential (condition)

I would be grateful for your opinion regarding ... (e.g. future management)

OR

I would appreciate if you could see ... (this patient OR name) as soon as possible for further manage.

I would appreciate if you could keep me informed about his further management.

The OET Candidate considers aspects of language proficiency such as vocabulary, grammar, spelling, punctuation. 

The language of a professional letter need not be elaborate. However, overly simplistic sentences usually do not relay information as efficiently as possible, nor do they convey the appropriate tone and register. Additionally, too many errors in structure, spelling and punctuation can distract from efficiently retrieving information.

• Use correct grammar e.g. correct tenses in relaying timelines.
• Beware of spelling of similar sounding words, as this can confuse meaning
• Use correct punctuation, as this assists in understanding flow of information

Language for mentioning prescribed medications and other treatment, describing surgical procedures, effects of treatments. 

Pay attention to the tenses and how the sentences are structured.

Mentioning prescribed medications and other treatment

Mr. St. Paul was prescribed OR was treated with ... (medication + dosage)
OR
He was given ... (treatment 1 + treatment 2 +...)
OR
I prescribed ... (treatment 1) followed by ...  (treatment 2), in addition to OR combined with... (treatment 3)

I advised him on ... (management of problem OR action to take)

Health professionals can more quickly retrieve information from letters that are structured and logically organised.

• Your letter should have a clear structure with recipient information, introduction, details of background (in paragraphs) and closing remarks.
• Key information should be prioritised, with most important points early and supporting points later
• Information should flow logically within and between paragraphs

SCENARIO:
38 y.o Regina Alton developed type 2 diabetes after pregnancy. Referred to the endocrinologist.

FEVER

• Have you had a temperature?
• I think I'm running a fever
• The patient has a high (elevated) temperature 
• His temperature has come down (lowered) 
• Doctor, I am burning up
• We are here at the hospital because my son is running a temperature

He was all right when I left him, two hours ago, with no sign of a temperature

All of these are common for patients to use and can be turned into questions.

SICKNESS

• Do you feel queasy?
  • I feel queasy (nausea) 
• Do you feel sick to your stomach?
  • I 'm feeling sick to my stomach (likely to vomit)
• Do you feel like vomiting?
  • I think I'm going to vomit
• Do you feel dizzy?
  • I feel dizzy (vertigo)
• Do you feel lightheaded?
  • I am feeling lightheaded (vertigo)

Phrasal Verb

keep (sth) down - to be able to eat or drink something without vomiting:

• On the day after her operation she couldn't keep anything down.

VISION

• I can't see...

Commonly accepted abbreviation

• immediately - stat (latin: statim)
• twice daily – BD, bd, b.i.d
• three times daily - tds., t.i.d.
• four times daily – qds, q.i.d. orally – p.o., po
• at night– nocte
• sublingual – s.l.; sl
• subcutaneous – s.c., sc

Describing routine medications

Her current medications include / are ...
OR
She also uses ... (medication) for ... (symptom OR illness)

Mentioning effects or side effects of medication

(Patient name or He / She) has OR has not responded to.. (medication)
OR
(Symptom) was (not) relieved by (oral medication e.g. Zantac)

Her complaint usually settles with... (medication OR activity)

The medication caused significant ... (symptoms)

GENRE AND STYLE is worth 7 POINTS. You need 5 points out of 7 to receive a B.

The tone of a professional letter should be factual, clinical and non- judgmental. Terminology should be appropriate to the reader whether technical (for doctor, nurse, therapist) or layman (for carer, family member).

Referral letters and similar written handover documents need to show awareness of genre by being written in a clinical/factual manner (e.g. not including personal feelings and judgements) and awareness of the target reader using professional tone.

The use of abbreviations should not be overdone thereby assuming common prior knowledge. If written to a medical colleague in a similar discipline, then use of abbreviations and technical terms would be appropriate features for the document’s purpose and audience.

If the target readership includes the patient, the information must be worded appropriately, e.g. minimising medical terminology, abbreviations.

Key points:

• Your letter should not...