Phrases for OET speaking: indicators of providing structure |communication criteria part C

Summary

Hannah, a doctor and English teacher, explains how to demonstrate “providing structure” in the OET Speaking communication criteria. Her central point is that a clear structure helps the clinician manage the consultation, stay fluent, and demonstrate communication skills that may earn marks across several criteria. She advises candidates not to memorize phrases mechanically, but to adapt useful phrases to the situation and speaking card.

1. Sequence the consultation purposefully and logically

• The bullet points on the OET speaking card usually provide a sensible order to follow.

• Stay flexible if the patient asks about a later topic before you are ready to discuss it. You can either:

  • Acknowledge the question and defer it politely: “That’s an excellent question. Do you mind if I come back to that after clarifying a few things with you first?”

  • Answer the question, then return to your planned sequence: “We touched on this topic earlier, but before we continue, can you tell me a bit more about…?”

• If you have nearly finished your questions and need to cover a remaining item, ask directly: “Can I just double-check if you have any allergies?”

2. Signpost changes in topic

Signposting means telling the patient what will happen next. It helps the patient follow the consultation and shows the examiner that you are guiding it.

• Introduce the next stage: “I would first like to ask you some questions about your general health.”

• Set out the plan when the patient jumps ahead: “Firstly, I need to clarify a few things about your medical background. With this information, we can then plan how best to help you.”

• Transition between topics: “We’ve spoken about your chest pain. Now I’d like to ask how this is affecting your daily life.”

• Link a transition to something the patient has already said. This can also demonstrate listening and empathy: “You mentioned earlier that this was really worrying you. I’d now like to explain how we might address those concerns.”

• Move from information-gathering to explaining next steps, especially if the patient has given a lot of detail: “Thank you, you’ve explained everything very clearly. Now I’d like to explain how we can investigate this.”

3. Prepare patients for sensitive discussions

• Warn the patient before asking personal or potentially distressing questions, and ask permission: “I’m afraid I need to ask you some personal questions, for example relating to sexual activity. Would that be okay with you?”

• This gives the patient a chance to prepare, raise concerns, or request a different time or clinician.

• The same approach can be used when discussing bad news or end-of-life care: “I know this must be very upsetting for you, but can I go through with you what will happen if this treatment doesn’t work?”

4. Organize explanations using specific techniques

• Categorization: Tell the patient the main groups of information you will cover. Example: “My recommendations include medication options and lifestyle modifications. Firstly, let’s discuss medication.”

• Labeling: Use words or phrases to highlight especially important information. Examples: “I would strongly recommend…” and “It is extremely important that you call an ambulance if you get further chest pain.”

• Chunking: Break explanations into smaller sections, pausing between them. Check whether the patient has questions along the way rather than waiting until the end. Hannah’s example explains what asthma does to the airways, pauses to ask “Do you have any questions so far?”, and then continues with how medication can help.

• Pauses also give you an opportunity to notice whether the patient seems to understand and to adjust your explanation if needed.

5. Signal and give a summary

Hannah’s strongest recommendation is to signpost a summary at the end of every practice consultation.

Introduce it clearly, for example:

“We have spoken about a lot of things today. Can I briefly summarize the important points?”

This gives the consultation a clear ending and demonstrates that you intend to review the key information. Even if time runs out before you can deliver the full summary, stating that you are about to summarize signals that you planned to close the consultation in an organized way.

Main takeaways

• A well-organized consultation can support fluency and help the clinician retain control while remaining responsive to the patient.
• Signposting is especially valuable when changing topics, managing a patient who jumps ahead, moving from questions to explanations, or approaching sensitive subjects.
• Use categorization, labeling, and chunking to make explanations easier to follow.
• Make a brief, clearly signposted summary part of your regular practice.

Speakers and sources featured

• Hannah — the only speaker identified; she describes herself as a doctor and English teacher from England.
• OET official glossary document — the source Hannah says she uses to describe the speaking communication criteria.