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Medicine

Read the following information.

Free OET Writing Sample Test with Answer Subtest Medicine #8

Read the case notes and complete the writing task which follows:

Notes: Assume that today's date is 12 December 2020

You are a practitioner examining a 50-year-old male patient, Mr. David Thompson.

PATIENT DETAILS:

Name: David Thompson (Mr)

DOB: 3 March 1970

Address: 567 Willow Lane, Willowville

Marital Status: Married, 3 children (born 1995, 1998, 2002)

Occupation: Office Manager

Height: 178cm Weight: 80kg BMI: 25.2 (healthy 12/12/20)

Social History: Non-smoker, Occasional social drinker (wine at social events)

Substance Intake: Nil

Allergies: None known

Family History: Mother – hypertension (deceased); Father – type 2 diabetes

Maternal grandmother – osteoporosis (deceased); Maternal grandfather – unknown

Paternal grandmother – Alzheimer's disease (deceased); Paternal grandfather – heart disease

Previous Medical History: Childhood asthma; chickenpox; measles; 1988 appendectomy; 1995 kidney stone; 2000 knee ligament tear; 2007 herniated disc in lower back, treated with physiotherapy; 2015 hypertension, on ACE inhibitors.

Presenting Complaint: Chronic lower back pain for the past year, worsened with prolonged sitting at work

Provisional Diagnosis: Chronic Lower Back Pain, possible lumbar disc herniation

Plan: Recommend physical therapy, ergonomic workstation assessment, and lumbar spine MRI.

Writing Task:

Using the information in the case notes, write a letter of referral for an MRI of the lumbar spine to Dr. Sarah Johnson, a radiologist at Willowville Medical Imaging Center, 789 Elm Street, Willowville. 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. Sarah Johnson

Willowville Medical Imaging Center

789 Elm Street

Willowville

 

12 December 2020

 

Dear Dr. Sarah Johnson,

 

Re: Mr. David Thompson, DOB 3 March 1970

I am writing to request an MRI of the lumbar spine for my patient, Mr. David Thompson. Mr. Thompson, a 50-year-old office manager, has been experiencing chronic lower back pain for the past year, which has significantly impacted his daily life and work performance.

Mr. Thompson's medical history includes childhood asthma, common viral illnesses, an appendectomy in 1988, a kidney stone episode in 1995, a knee ligament tear in 2000, and a herniated disc in his lower back in 2007, which was successfully treated with physiotherapy. Additionally, he was diagnosed with hypertension in 2015 and is currently managed with ACE inhibitors.

The patient's presenting complaint is persistent lower back pain that worsens with prolonged sitting at work. Given his medical history and the nature of his pain, I suspect a possible lumbar disc herniation. Therefore, I kindly request that you perform an MRI of the lumbar spine to provide a comprehensive assessment of his condition.

I have already recommended physical therapy and an ergonomic workstation assessment as part of his treatment plan. The results of the lumbar spine MRI will allow us to determine the most appropriate course of action to manage his condition effectively.

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

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

 

Yours sincerely,

Doctor

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