Writing Task Analysis
This is the first step to do in the Writing module. Skip all the case notes. Go to the bottom of the question paper. Read the question (WRITING TASK) carefully. Answer the following questions while you are reading:
Who is the READER?
WHY you are writing to this reader? / What is the PURPOSE of your letter?
Is the patient KNOWN/ UNKNOWN to the reader?
What TYPE of letter you are supposed to write (referral/ discharge/ transfer)?
Let’s try to answer these basic questions for the following task:
READER - Emergency Department Consultant on Duty (meaning ED Doctor)
WHY/ PURPOSE - to outline the case and to request urgent assessment and management of pericarditis
KNOWN/ UNKNOWN - here, the patient is UNKNOWN to the reader. To confirm this you need look through the case notes in detail.
TYPE - referral
Now, having had a preliminary understanding, you need get more clearer on the task, majorly on the PURPOSE and whether the case is KNOWN/ UNKNOWN. How can we do this?
Read the notes given just above the Writing Task. You will get clarity on WHY are you writing this letter. Let’s continue with the previous task.
By reading the Plan and Assessment placed just above the Writing Task, we get more clearer of WHY the letter has to be written:
-there is a possibility of relapse/complications of pericarditis
-this requires urgent transfer to hospital and assessment
- the ED doctor should know the patient’s medications, history and test results (thus here you can confirm that the patient is UNKNOWN).
Thus, we are done with the first and the most important step in the Writing module. A slight error in this analysis can make a big difference in your letter and the chances of scoring the letter goes down even if the letter is well written. That important is this first step!