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How to write effective referral letters

journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-08, 12:16 authored by Ally Xiang, Helen Smith
Referral letters are the key mode of communication between GPs and hospital specialists for routine and acute management of conditions. While verbal communication skills are strongly emphasized in undergraduate training, written communication is relatively neglected. Medical students and postgraduate doctors are rarely formally taught to write referral letters; it is a skill learnt on the job through opportunistic and informal tuition and by reading referral letters written by others. Consequently, the style, content and quality of referral letters differ greatly among doctors. This article discusses professional expectations, outlines components of effective referral writing and provides a referral letter template.

History

Publication status

  • Published

Journal

InnovAiT

ISSN

1755-7380

Publisher

Oxford University Press

Issue

6

Volume

5

Page range

360-363

Department affiliated with

  • Primary Care and Public Health Publications

Full text available

  • No

Peer reviewed?

  • Yes

Legacy Posted Date

2012-08-16

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