Paediatrician's Clinical Letter
Patient's full name and date of birth: Master Thomas Smith, born 15 June 2020
Dear Dr Henderson,
Problem(s) List:
- Acute Bronchiolitis
- Mild Asthma (new diagnosis)
Investigations:
Chest X-ray was performed on 28 October 2024, showing hyperinflation but no focal consolidation. Nasal swab for RSV and other respiratory viruses was negative.
Medications:
Salbutamol 2.5mg nebuliser, PRN, as needed for wheezing.
Prednisolone 2mg/ml oral solution, 3ml once daily for 3 days, starting 30 October 2024.
Weight:
14.5 kg
Height:
95 cm
Master Thomas Smith, aged 4, was reviewed in clinic today with his mother. He has presented with a recurrent cough and wheeze, particularly worse over the last two weeks, following a viral upper respiratory infection. His past medical history includes two previous episodes of bronchiolitis in infancy.
On Examination:
Thomas was alert and interactive. Respiratory rate was 28 breaths per minute with mild subcostal recession. Auscultation revealed bilateral expiratory wheeze, more prominent on the right side. Capillary refill time was less than 2 seconds. Oxygen saturation was 97% on room air.
Discussion:
The discussion focused on the recent exacerbation of respiratory symptoms and the likelihood of a new diagnosis of mild asthma, triggered by viral infections. Thomas's mother expressed concerns about the frequency of these episodes. We reviewed the Chest X-ray and nasal swab results, which were reassuring. We discussed the benefits of starting a short course of oral steroids and the introduction of a reliever inhaler for symptomatic relief. Educational material on asthma management and inhaler technique was provided to the mother.
Lifestyle Modifications:
- Physical exercise 30 minutes a day, 7 days a week.
Plan:
Continue with Salbutamol as needed for wheezing. Commence Prednisolone oral solution for 3 days. Prescribe a spacer device for better inhaler delivery. Advise mother to monitor for worsening symptoms such as increased respiratory effort or poor feeding. Provide an asthma action plan.
Follow Up:
Review in clinic in 2 weeks or sooner if symptoms worsen.
Copy To:
Mrs Sarah Smith
Dr Emily White (Practice Nurse)
(Never invent or assume patient details, assessments, plans, interventions, or any clinical information. Use only the transcript, contextual notes, or clinical note as the source for all information. If information related to a placeholder has not been explicitly mentioned in the transcript, contextual notes, or clinical note, omit that placeholder entirely without stating that the information was not mentioned. Use as many lines, paragraphs, or bullet points as needed to capture all relevant information from the transcript. Do not leave spaces between headings.)
[Patient's full name and date of birth] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in the transcript, contextual notes, or clinical note, else omit section entirely. Write on a single line.)
Dear Dr [Referring doctor's surname], (Only include if explicitly mentioned in the transcript, contextual notes, or clinical note, else write "Dear Dr," without a surname.)
Problem(s) List:
[The clinician's explicitly stated diagnoses or active problems] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in the transcript, contextual notes, or clinical note, else omit section entirely. Never invent or infer a diagnosis. Present each diagnosis or problem as a separate bullet point.)
Investigations:
[Investigations requested or results discussed during the consultation] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in the transcript, contextual notes, or clinical note, else omit section entirely. Write in full sentences, listing each investigation in sentence form.)
Medications:
[Current medications including name, form, dose, frequency, and duration where stated] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in the transcript, contextual notes, or clinical note, else omit section entirely. Write in full sentences, with each medication as a separate paragraph.)
Weight:
[Patient's weight as stated] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in the transcript, contextual notes, or clinical note, else omit section entirely. Write on a single line.)
Height:
[Patient's height as stated] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in the transcript, contextual notes, or clinical note, else omit section entirely. Write on a single line.)
[An introductory paragraph including who was present at the consultation, a clinical progress update, and a summary of relevant past medical history where stated] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in the transcript, contextual notes, or clinical note, else omit section entirely. Write in full sentences, with each sentence as a separate paragraph.)
On Examination:
[Findings from the physical examination as stated by the clinician] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in the transcript, contextual notes, or clinical note, else omit section entirely. Write in full sentences, with each finding as a separate paragraph.)
Discussion:
[The discussion held during the consultation including clinical reasoning, patient concerns, and any decisions made as stated by the clinician] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in the transcript, contextual notes, or clinical note, else omit section entirely. Write in full sentences, with each sentence as a separate paragraph.)
Lifestyle Modifications:
[Lifestyle modifications discussed during the consultation] (Only include if lifestyle modifications are explicitly mentioned in the transcript, contextual notes, or clinical note, else omit section entirely. For each modification mentioned, present it as a separate bullet point. If box breathing is mentioned, print "Box breathing." If yoga or pilates is mentioned, print "Yoga or pilates 10 minutes daily." If shoulder massage is mentioned, print "Shoulder massage for a few minutes a day." If physical exercise is mentioned, print "Physical exercise 30 minutes a day, 7 days a week.")
Plan:
[The management plan and next steps as stated by the clinician] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in the transcript, contextual notes, or clinical note, else omit section entirely. Write in full sentences, with each plan item as a separate paragraph.)
Follow Up:
[Follow-up arrangements as stated by the clinician] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in the transcript, contextual notes, or clinical note, else omit section entirely. Write on a single line.)
Copy To:
[Full names of individuals to receive a copy of the letter as stated in the transcript, contextual notes, or clinical note] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in the transcript, contextual notes, or clinical note, else omit section entirely. List each name on a separate line.)