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OET recommendations guide
In the OET Writing sub-test for nurses, one of the essential components of a successful letter is the recommendation section. This part outlines the next steps in the patient’s care and provides guidance to the receiving healthcare professional. Strong, appropriate recommendations not only demonstrate clinical understanding but also ensure the letter fulfils its communicative purpose. Here’s a step-by-step guide on ” How to write OET Recommendations in 2025″.
1. Understand the Purpose of OET Recommendations
The recommendation section reflects what needs to be done for the ongoing care or management of the patient. It’s your way of handing over responsibility and must be tailored to the recipient’s role—whether it’s another nurse, a specialist, or a community health worker.
2. Know Where to Place It
Recommendations usually appear toward the end of the letter, after the main clinical information has been provided. However, if the entire purpose of the referral is to request a specific action (e.g., post-operative care or monitoring), the recommendation might be mentioned briefly in the introduction and elaborated in the final paragraph.
3. Use Clear and Direct Language
Avoid vague or overly complex phrasing. Recommendations should be concise, polite, and actionable. Use modal verbs like should, is advised to, is requested to, or please arrange for, depending on the formality and urgency.
Examples:
- “It is recommended that Mr. Singh’s wound be checked and redressed daily.”
- “She should be monitored for signs of dehydration over the next 48 hours.”
- “Please arrange physiotherapy sessions twice a week for mobility improvement.”
4. Tailor to the Reader’s Role
Always consider who will be reading your letter. A nurse in a care home will expect different instructions than a physiotherapist or a GP. Align your recommendations with the recipient’s scope of practice.
Example:
- To a community nurse: “He requires assistance with insulin administration each morning.”
- To a physiotherapist: “She would benefit from a mobility assessment and strengthening exercises.”
5. Base It on the Case Notes
Recommendations must be supported by the information in the case notes. Don’t introduce new ideas. Instead, look at the “Discharge Plan” or “Management” section of the case notes to inform your recommendations.
6. Use Professional Tone and Grammar
Ensure your sentences are grammatically accurate and professionally worded. Avoid imperatives like “do this” or “you must.” Instead, opt for softer, more collaborative tones.
Incorrect:
“You must check her blood pressure twice daily.”
Correct:
“Her blood pressure should be monitored twice daily.”
7. Summarise When Needed
If multiple recommendations are needed, list them in a logical order or summarise them efficiently in one or two sentences.
Example:
“Daily wound care, monitoring for signs of infection, and ensuring adequate fluid intake are recommended during the recovery period.”
Conclusion
With the help of this effective OET recommendations guide, you can show that you can communicate clearly, prioritise patient needs, and collaborate with the healthcare team. Practice writing various types of referral and discharge letters, paying special attention to how you phrase and structure your recommendations. With clarity, appropriateness, and precision, your writing will meet both the OET criteria and the real-world standards of nursing communication.
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