How to Write Effective Referral Letters

Abstract

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.