Name: John Smith
Thank you for referring John who was seen in the Shoulder clinic today.
Diagnosis:
Right shoulder impingement syndrome.
Rotator cuff tendinopathy.
Plan:
Continue physiotherapy as advised.
Consider subacromial decompression if symptoms persist after 3 months of conservative management.
Review in clinic in 6 weeks with follow-up MRI results.
John is a 52-year-old right-handed male, currently working as a self-employed carpenter. He presented today with a 6-month history of worsening right shoulder pain, particularly with overhead activities and at night. He was accompanied by his wife, Sarah. His work involves significant use of his right arm for lifting and repetitive movements, which exacerbates his pain. His leisure interests include gardening and playing golf, both of which are currently limited by his shoulder discomfort.
He reports associated symptoms of occasional pins and needles radiating down his right arm to the elbow, and some weakness when attempting to lift objects above shoulder height. There is no history of trauma, fever, or constitutional symptoms.
Functionally, John struggles with tasks such as reaching into high cupboards, washing his hair, and dressing, particularly putting on a jacket. His golf swing is severely affected, and he is unable to sleep comfortably on his right side due to pain.
To date, John has been managing his symptoms with over-the-counter paracetamol and ibuprofen, with limited relief. He has completed six sessions of physiotherapy, which provided some temporary improvement, but his pain has since returned to baseline.
Past Medical History:
John has a history of well-controlled hypertension, diagnosed 5 years ago, for which he takes prescribed medication. He underwent an appendicectomy at age 20. There is no significant family history of musculoskeletal conditions. He is a non-smoker and consumes alcohol socially. He has no known drug allergies.
Medications:
Amlodipine 5mg once daily.
Paracetamol PRN.
Ibuprofen PRN.
On Examination: On inspection, there was no obvious swelling or deformity of the right shoulder. Palpation revealed tenderness over the greater tuberosity and anterior acromion. Range of motion was limited in abduction to 90 degrees and internal rotation to T10, with pain at end ranges. Impingement signs (Neer and Hawkins-Kennedy) were positive. Supraspinatus strength was 4/5, and other rotator cuff muscles were 5/5. Neurovascular examination of the right upper limb was unremarkable.
An MRI scan performed 2 weeks ago showed evidence of subacromial bursitis and tendinopathy of the supraspinatus tendon with no evidence of a full-thickness tear.
Discussions were held with John regarding the findings and the potential management options. These include ongoing conservative management with physiotherapy, consideration of a subacromial corticosteroid injection, or surgical intervention such as subacromial decompression if conservative measures fail. The risks and benefits of each option were explained, including potential complications and recovery times. John expressed a preference for continuing with non-surgical options initially.
Investigations planned: No further immediate investigations are planned beyond the previously performed MRI. The need for repeat imaging will be assessed at the follow-up.
Treatment planned: John will continue with his current physiotherapy regimen. A subacromial corticosteroid injection will be offered at his next visit if symptoms have not significantly improved. He was provided with advice on activity modification and pain management.
Relevant other actions such as counselling, referrals: Referral to a pain management specialist will be considered if symptoms remain refractory to the above interventions.
Thank you for referring John.
Dr. Thomas Kelly, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon
Name: [patient's first and last name] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, contextual notes, or clinical note, else omit completely.)
[opening statement thanking for the referral] (Only include for new appointments if explicitly mentioned in transcript, contextual notes, or clinical note, else omit completely. For follow-up or review appointments, omit any referral acknowledgment references. Write as: Thank you for referring [Patients first name only] who was seen in the Shoulder clinic today. If it is a follow-up or review appointment remove any "thank you for referral" references and don't include an examination findings section.)
Diagnosis:
[the clinician’s concise diagnosis and how it relates to the presenting complaint] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, contextual notes, or clinical note, else omit completely. Do not invent or infer a diagnosis. List each diagnosis on a new line with no bullet points and a full stop at the end of each line. Never use dashes at the start of a list.)
Plan:
[brief plan to manage condition or injury including when the patient is planned to next be seen in clinic for review or if they are discharged from follow-up] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, contextual notes, or clinical note, else omit completely. List each plan on a new line with no bullet points and a full stop at the end of each line. Never use dashes at the start of a list.)
[brief summary of presenting complaint or history of complaint including patient's age and handedness, occupation, reason for visit, current issues, who was in attendance with the patient, employment status, type of work, leisure interests and activities] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, contextual notes, or clinical note, else omit completely. Write in paragraphs of full sentences with proper punctuation. Do not use bullet points.)
[any other associated symptoms] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, contextual notes, or clinical note, else omit completely. Write in paragraphs of full sentences with proper punctuation. Do not use bullet points.)
[functional limitations] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, contextual notes, or clinical note, else omit completely. Write in paragraphs of full sentences with proper punctuation. Do not use bullet points.)
[treatment facilitated to date including medications, therapy, or other interventions] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, contextual notes, or clinical note, else omit completely. Write in paragraphs of full sentences with proper punctuation. Do not use bullet points.)
Past Medical History:
[medical and surgical history, family history, social history, allergies] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, contextual notes, or clinical note, else omit completely. Write in paragraphs of full sentences with proper punctuation. Do not use bullet points.)
Medications:
[list of medications] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, contextual notes, or clinical note, else omit completely. List each medication on a new line with no bullet points. Never use dashes at the start of a list.)
On Examination: [physical or mental state examination findings including system specific examinations] (Only include for new appointments if explicitly mentioned in transcript, contextual notes, or clinical note, else omit section entirely. For follow-up or review appointments, omit this section. Write in paragraphs of full sentences with proper punctuation. Do not use bullet points.)
[imaging findings and any relevant interpretations] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, contextual notes, or clinical note, else omit completely. Write in paragraphs of full sentences with proper punctuation. Do not use bullet points.)
[document the discussions with the patient on options for future investigations and management options] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, contextual notes, or clinical note, else omit completely. Write in paragraphs of full sentences with proper punctuation. Do not use bullet points.)
[investigations planned] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, contextual notes, or clinical note, else omit completely. Write in paragraphs of full sentences with proper punctuation. Do not use bullet points.)
[treatment planned] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, contextual notes, or clinical note, else omit completely. Write in paragraphs of full sentences with proper punctuation. Do not use bullet points.)
[relevant other actions such as counselling, referrals] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, contextual notes, or clinical note, else omit completely. Write in paragraphs of full sentences with proper punctuation. Do not use bullet points.)
[closing statement thanking for the referral] (Only include for new appointments if explicitly mentioned in transcript, contextual notes, or clinical note, else omit completely. For follow-up or review appointments, omit this closing statement.)
[clinician name and credentials] (Only include if explicitly mentioned in transcript, contextual notes, or clinical note, else omit completely.)
(Always refer to the patient using their first name only. Never refer to the patient using titles. Use only the first name.)