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Medicine

Read the following information.

Free OET Writing Sample Test with Answer Subtest Medicine #9

Read the case notes and complete the writing task which follows

Notes: Assume that today's date is 2 March 2020

You are a practitioner examining a 65-year-old male patient, Mr. Robert Johnson.

PATIENT DETAILS:

Name: Robert Johnson (Mr)

DOB: 15 July 1954

Address: 123 Maple Avenue, Mapleton

Marital Status: Married, 3 children (born 1980, 1983, 1987)

Occupation: Retired construction worker

Height: 180cm Weight: 90kg BMI: 27.8

Social History: Ex-smoker (quit in 2005); Occasional social drinker (beer with friends)

Substance Intake: Nil

Allergies: None known

Family History: Mother – hypertension; Father – heart disease

Maternal grandmother – osteoarthritis; Maternal grandfather – diabetes

Paternal grandmother – Alzheimer's disease; Paternal grandfather – stroke

Previous Medical History: Childhood asthma; 1973 appendectomy; 1988 herniated disc in lower back, treated with surgery; 2000 knee replacement surgery; 2009 hypertension, on ACE inhibitors; 2015 cataract surgery.

Presenting Complaint: Chronic knee pain for the past five years, worsened with walking and climbing stairs.

Provisional Diagnosis: Osteoarthritis of the knee

Plan: Recommend physical therapy, weight management, and consideration for knee replacement surgery.

Writing Task:

Using the information in the case notes, write a letter of referral for physical therapy and assessment for knee replacement surgery to Dr. Jennifer Adams, an orthopedic surgeon at Mapleton Regional Hospital, 456 Elm Street, Mapleton. 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.

Dr. Jennifer Adams

Mapleton Regional Hospital

456 Elm Street

Mapleton

 

2 March 2020

 

Dear Dr. Jennifer Adams,

 

Re: Mr. Robert Johnson, DOB 15 July 1954

 

I am writing to request your attention towards my patient, Mr. Robert Johnson, for a comprehensive assessment of his chronic knee pain, which has been troubling him for the past five years. Mr. Johnson, a 65-year-old retired construction worker, presents with persistent knee pain that has progressively worsened, particularly with activities such as walking and climbing stairs.

Mr. Johnson's medical history includes childhood asthma, an appendectomy in 1973, and a herniated disc in his lower back in 1988, which required surgical intervention. He also underwent knee replacement surgery in 2000 and has a history of hypertension since 2009, managed with ACE inhibitors. In 2015, he underwent cataract surgery.

Given the chronic nature and severity of his knee pain, I suspect a diagnosis of osteoarthritis of the knee. I have recommended physical therapy and weight management as the initial steps in his treatment plan. However, considering his history and the impact of knee pain on his daily life, I believe it is crucial to assess his suitability for knee replacement surgery.

I kindly request your expert evaluation and opinion on whether knee replacement surgery is a viable option for Mr. Johnson. I believe that your expertise as an orthopedic surgeon will provide valuable insights into the most appropriate course of action to alleviate his pain and improve his overall quality of life.

Your prompt attention to this matter is greatly appreciated. If you require any additional information or have questions regarding Mr. Johnson's case, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Thank you for your assistance in the care and management of my patient.

 

Yours sincerely,

Doctor

TIP : Enhance your reading skills by regularly reviewing medical articles and case studies to prepare for the OET reading component.