Melons OET Writing

M stands for Marking.

You have to mark the following information on the case notes before proceeding to writing the letter.

Read the Case Notes and Mark the following information using your pencil.

• Patient’s name, age, address.
• Purpose of writing this letter.
• Recipient’s name, designation, address.
• Requests / Plan.
• Admission / Presenting / Visiting Condition.
• Admission / Presenting / Visiting Date.
• Discharging / Transferring Condition.
• Discharging / Transferring Date.
• Date of Writing (Today’s Date)
• Diagnosed or Not Diagnosed.
• Direction of Movement.
• Writer (Usually, “Charge Nurse”)
• Known Case or Unknown Case.

E stands for Elimination

Now, remove all the information that the recipient of this letter would not need. For example, a patient’s GP (General Practitioner) will not need to know the patient’s past medical history or other known data. Similarly, you needn’t tell the Emergency Doctor that the patient is married or has children.

Now, proceed to LO tab to continue.

L stands for Launching.

This includes Date of writing the letter, Address of the recipient, the Dear line and the Re: line. To memorize these 4 elements, we call them “DADR”. Here is an example:

17th February, 2025

Dr Alvin Gomez
Pediatric Surgeon
City Hospital, Gurgaon
Haryana – 44

Dear Doctor,

Re: Mr Lucky Ali; DOB: 12th May, 2024

Remember:

• Strictly follow this format. No full stops or commas at the end of these lines except for the Dear-line.
• Since every letter is sent and received within the same country, avoid including country names in Address.
• There is a : after Re and DOB (Date of Birth).
• You have the freedom to address the recipient by name (Dear Dr Gomez) of by designation (Dear Doctor); however, avoid addressing by name if the recipient is unknown.
• If the patient is a baby or not 18, prefix “Miss” for girls and “Master” for boys.

O stands for Opening Paragraph.

Sample

Mrs. Laura Bennett requires routine check-up and medication review. She has mild hypertension which is controlled on medication and is ready for transfer.

From 2024, this format / style is most common. You need to include just 5 – 6 information in the Opening Paragraph. They are:

• Patient’s name (Full).
• “requires”
• Purpose of writing the letter.
• Full stop.
• Patient’s present condition (most recent).
• Date or time of discharge or transfer.

Look at another example:

Mr John Patel requires diabetes management consultation. He has uncontrolled type 2 diabetes and is ready for transfer.

Practice Opening on this Opening Page.

N stands for “Narration”.

This includes the second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth paragraph of your letter. Each paragraph has a name.

Second paragraph is ME1. M is Medical and E is Emotional. This includes the recent medical / emotional history.

Ms Carter visited on 15th January, 24, today, complaining of shortness of breath and fatigue. Based on ECG and BNP, she was diagnosed with congestive heart failure for which Furosemide, 40 mg, and a low-sodium diet was commenced. 

NB: “Emotional” details include the patient’s anxiety, depression, grief, breakup, suicidal ideation. 

Third paragraph is ME2 which is the patient’s present condition. Example:

At present, Mr Osler is recovering post-angioplasty with stable vitals and no chest pain. He can walk independently and eat solid food. He has started cardiac rehabilitation and is on aspirin, 500 mg, once at night along with beta-blockers. Please note, his lipid panel results are being awaited and his next review is in three days.

Fourth paragraph is ME3 or Past Medical / Emotional History. This is not required in known cases. Here is an example:

Mr Smith underwent coronary artery bypass graft in 2017 and cataract surgery for his left eye in 2022. He was diagnosed with diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia and acute pancreatitis in 2018, 2019 and 2021, respectively. The latter was resolved with conservative management. 

Fifth paragraph is LONS – Lifestyle, Occupation, Nutrition and Social. Here is an example:

A retired firefighter from Texas, Mr. Lee has four children. Although he quit smoking 10 years ago, Mr Lee drinks whiskey once a week. With a BMI of 26, he follows a Mediterranean diet and maintains an active lifestyle with regular hiking and swimming.

Specialize in Me1, Me2, Me3 and LONS paragraphs of the “Narration” Step.

S stands for Signing

It includes:

• The final paragraph (Request)
• Call to Action.
• Yours sincerely, / Yours faithfully,
• Designation (usually, “Charge Nurse.”)

Format:

Based on Ms Miller’s current condition, kindly ………………………….. (plan). It is important to note that ……………………………………………………… (specify). Please note that Ms Miller has an appointment ………………………………. (date, purpose). Please make sure that she doesn’t drive for the next three weeks. A detailed list of her current medication along with her home address is attached herewith. 

For any further information, contact me / If you have any queries, kindly contact me.

Yours faithfully / sincerely,

Charge Nurse.

Sample:

Based on Mr Henrik’s current condition, Keep the wound clean and dry and please monitor for signs of infection. Encourage mobility to prevent clot formation during which he should not lift heavy objects or drive until advised. Please note, he has his next follow-up in one week to check wound healing, thereafter, his sutures will be removed. Prescribe paracetamol for pain relief. 

Specialize in Signing the letter. Send your letters to +919810740061 for a Free Correction.