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Dysphagia — Gastroenterology Referral

Foundation
0 words(target: 180–200 words)
Case Notes

Scenario date: 18 June 2018

You are a practitioner examining a 45-year-old female patient, Ms Anne Hall.

Writing Task:

Using the information in the case notes, write a referral to Dr Jason Roberts, gastroenterologist, at Newtown Hospital, 111 High Street, Newtown.

In your answer:

  • Expand the relevant notes into complete sentences
  • Do not use note form
  • Use letter format

The body of the letter should be approximately 180–200 words words.

Patient Details:

Name:Anne Hall (Ms)
DOB:19 Sep 1972
Height: 163cm Weight: 75kg BMI: 28.2 (overweight 18/6/18)
Social History:Teacher (Secondary – History, English); Divorced, 2 children at home (born 2002, 2004); Non-smoker (since children born); Social drinker – mainly spirits
Substance Intake:Nil
Allergies:Codeine; dust mites; sulphur dioxide
Family History:
  • Mother – hypertension; asthmatic
  • Father – peptic ulcer
  • Maternal grandmother – died heart attack, aged 80
  • Maternal grandfather – died asthma attack
  • Paternal grandparents – unknown / died 'old age' 94

Previous Medical History:

  • Childhood asthma; chickenpox; measles
  • 1983 tonsillectomy
  • 1990 hepatitis A (whole family infected)
  • 1992 sebaceous cyst removed
  • 1995 whiplash injury
  • 1996 depression (separation from husband); SSRI – fluoxetine 11 months
  • 2008 overweight – sought weight reduction
  • 2010 URTI (Upper Respiratory Tract Infection)
  • 2012 dyspepsia
  • 2014 dermatitis; prescribed oral & topical corticosteroids

18 Jun 2018

  • Presenting complaint: dysphagia (solids), onset 2 weeks post-viral (?) URTI
  • URTI self-medicated with OTC Chinese herbal product – contents unknown
  • No relapse/remittent course
  • No sensation of lump
  • No obvious anxiety
  • Concomitant epigastric pain radiating to back, level T12
  • Weight loss: 1–2 kg
  • Recent increase in coffee consumption
  • Takes aspirin occasionally (2–3 times/month); no other NSAIDs
  • Provisional diagnosis: gastro-oesophageal reflux +/- stricture

Plan:

  • Refer gastroenterologist for opinion and endoscopy if required
  • ↓ coffee/alcohol intake
  • Cease OTC product
  • Pantoprazole 40mg daily
Your Letter