Medical Referral Letter Template with Examples: Write Faster, Communicate Better with Docscrib

Updated on: July 22, 2025

In modern healthcare, timely and clear communication between providers is essential for delivering seamless patient care. A medical referral letter serves as the bridge connecting primary care physicians, specialists, surgeons, and allied healthcare providers.

Yet, crafting referral letters is often time-consuming, repetitive, and prone to information gaps.

That’s where having a medical referral letter template — and even better, an AI-powered medical scribe like Docscrib — can transform the way clinicians communicate and collaborate.

🩺 Clear referrals mean faster care, better outcomes, and fewer delays.

What Is a Medical Referral Letter?

A medical referral letter is a formal document written by one healthcare provider to refer a patient to another provider for further evaluation, diagnosis, or treatment. It:

• Summarizes the patient’s condition
• Outlines the reason for referral
• Includes relevant clinical findings, labs, or imaging
• Communicates urgency and expectations

A thorough referral letter also provides critical details such as the patient’s medical history, relevant test results from previous assessments, and the clinical rationale for seeking another provider’s expertise. For instance, if a patient requires a surgical assessment, the letter typically highlights why surgery is being considered, ensuring the receiving surgeon or surgical department has all the necessary background to proceed efficiently.

Referral letters are used across:

• Primary Care to Specialists (e.g., GP to Cardiologist)
• Emergency to Outpatient Care
• Mental Health Referrals
• Surgical Pre-assessment Referrals
• Allied Health (PT, OT, Dietetics)

In each scenario, clear and detailed communication helps ensure the patient receives timely, appropriate care without unnecessary delays or repeated investigations.

Key Sections of an Effective Referral Letter

To ensure your referral is clear and actionable, include these essential sections:

1. Header with Practice Details and Date

Open with your practice letterhead, including your clinic’s name, address, contact information, and the date of referral.

Healthy Life Clinic

(555) 123-4567 info@healthylife.com Date: 18 December, 2024

2. Recipient’s Information and Greeting

Next, state the recipient’s name, department, facility, and address.

To:
Dr. Sarah Johnson
Cardiology Department
St. Mary’s Hospital

3. Patient Identification and Reason for Referral

Clearly mention the patient’s name, date of birth, and succinctly state the reason for referral.

Re: Referral for John Doe, Date of Birth: 01/01/1980
I am referring John Doe to your clinic for further evaluation and management of persistent chest pain.

4. Clinical Details

Provide a brief but thorough summary of the patient’s presenting complaint, relevant history, current medications, allergies, and examination findings. Use bullet points for clarity, or a concise paragraph if you prefer a narrative style.

• Presenting Complaint: Persistent chest pain
• Duration: 3 months, constant and episodic
• Relevant Findings: Significant weight loss, abnormal ECG findings
• Past Medical History: Hypertension, diabetes
• Current Medications: Lisinopril, Metformin
• Allergies: None known

Or, as a narrative:

For the past three months, the patient has experienced persistent chest pain, both constant and episodic. This has been accompanied by unexplained weight loss. A recent ECG revealed abnormal findings. The patient’s history includes hypertension and diabetes (on Lisinopril and Metformin).

5. Investigations and Test Results

Summarize any recent and relevant investigations to assist the specialist in their assessment.

• ECG: Early P-wave rise, shortened PR interval, subtle ST-segment deviations, borderline QT prolongation
• Blood tests: Elevated troponin
• Chest X-ray: Unremarkable

6. Reason for Referral and Requested Action

State the specific purpose of the referral and what you hope the specialist will address.

A targeted workup, including echocardiography, Holter monitoring, and genetic testing for inherited arrhythmic syndromes (e.g., Brugada syndrome), is recommended. Your expertise in this area is greatly appreciated.

7. Patient Contact Information and Enclosures

Include the patient’s contact details and list any supporting documents you’re sending with the letter.

• Phone: 555-123-4567
• Email: johndoe@gmail.com
• Enclosures: ECG report, lab results

8. Referring Doctor’s Contact Information and Closing

End with your name, title, clinic, and contact details. Express appreciation for the specialist’s expertise.

Free Medical Referral Letter Template (General Use)

📝 Medical Referral Letter Template

[Your Name]
[Your Title]
[Your Clinic/Hospital Name]
[Your Address]
[Your Phone & Email]
Date: [Insert Date]

To:
[Specialist’s Name]
[Specialist’s Title]
[Hospital/Clinic Name]
[Address]

Subject: Referral for [Patient Name], [Age], [Gender]

Dear [Specialist’s Name],

I am referring [Patient Name], a [Age]-year-old [Gender], for further evaluation and management of [condition/symptoms].

Clinical History:

• Presenting Complaint: [Brief description]
• Duration: [Timeframe]
• Past Medical History: [Relevant history]
• Medications: [Current medications]
• Allergies: [List any known]

Examination Findings:
[Summarize key physical exam findings]

Investigations:
[List recent labs, imaging, or diagnostics]

Reason for Referral:
[Explain clinical concerns, questions for specialist, urgency]

When creating a medical referral letter template for your practice, it’s helpful to include all the above sections so you capture the essential information: patient demographics, relevant medical history, presenting complaints, test results, and the reason for referral. This format ensures clarity and completeness for the receiving specialist, facilitating a streamlined handover of care. Many clinics also benefit from keeping a master template on hand—just update the details for each patient, and you’re ready to go.

Thank you for your assessment and management. Please feel free to contact me for any further information.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Title & Credentials]

Other Common Referral Letter & Form Templates

While the template above suits most general medical referrals, you might need more tailored formats in specific settings. Here are some additional templates clinicians often use:

• Medical Referral Form:
  Ideal for structured handovers, this form covers patient consultations, medical history, clinical findings, and current treatment plans in a standardized checklist format. Great for clinics or practices that prefer concise, tick-box summaries.
• Doctor Referral Letter Template:
  Especially useful for general practitioners sharing information with specialists, this template highlights medical history, current medications, and main presenting complaints—ensuring the specialist has all they need to proceed efficiently.
• Patient Referral Form Template (Dental):
  Designed for dental professionals, this form helps communicate relevant patient information, dental history, and the specific reasons for referral to dental specialists.

Medical Referral Letter Examples (By Specialty)

🫁 Example 1: Pulmonology Referral

Dear Dr. Smith,
I am referring Mr. John Doe, a 58-year-old male with progressive shortness of breath, chronic productive cough, and recent abnormal spirometry suggestive of COPD. Recent chest X-ray shows hyperinflation. Kindly evaluate for advanced management.

🧠 Example 2: Neurology Referral

Dear Dr. Patel,
I am referring Ms. Jane Roe, a 42-year-old female with recurrent syncopal episodes and transient weakness. MRI brain is pending. Kindly assess for possible seizure activity or neurovascular causes.

🩺 Example 3: Orthopedic Referral

Dear Dr. Lee,
Please evaluate Mr. Adam Green, 34, who sustained a knee injury during sports. MRI confirms ACL tear. We request surgical consultation.

With these templates and examples, you can ensure your referral letters are effective, comprehensive, and tailored to the needs of both patients and fellow clinicians.

Why Do Referral Letters Matter?

1. ✅ Ensure Continuity of Care

2. ✅ Facilitate Accurate Diagnoses

3. ✅ Speed Up Specialist Appointments

4. ✅ Provide Legal Documentation

5. ✅ Support Reimbursement and Compliance

Incomplete or delayed letters lead to patient frustration, missed diagnoses, and poor outcomes.

Save Time with Docscrib: AI Medical Scribes for Referrals

Manually typing referral letters can take 10–15 minutes per patient — adding up to hours every week. Docscrib changes that by:

🔹 Real-Time Dictation:

Speak your referral letter naturally — Docscrib listens and generates the note instantly.

🔹 Auto-Structured Letters:

Docscrib applies your templates (SOAP, letterhead, or narrative) and organizes content automatically.

🔹 Customization by Specialty:

Whether it’s cardiology, oncology, or psychiatry, Docscrib adapts to your practice’s needs.

💬 “Docscrib cut my referral note time in half — and my letters are clearer, more professional, and always on time.”
— Dr. M. Reyes, Family Physician

Specialty-Specific Referral Letters Docscrib Can Automate

• Cardiology Referrals

• Gastroenterology Referrals

• Dermatology Referrals

• Mental Health Referrals

• Oncology Referrals

• Pain Management Referrals

• Physical Therapy & Rehab Referrals

How to Get Started with Docscrib

Getting Docscrib set up is fast and easy:

1. Visit docscrib.com
2. Book a personalized demo for your practice
3. Start your free trial — no long-term contract
4. Start sending referrals faster, every day

What to Expect When You Start

• Transcribe: Speak naturally about your patient’s symptoms, history, and findings. Docscrib captures and transcribes every detail—word-for-word—in real time.
• Customize: Choose your preferred referral template (SOAP, narrative, letterhead, and more). You can easily add your own observations, and Docscrib adapts everything into the correct format for your specialty.
• Transform: Need more than a referral letter? Generate patient summaries or additional documents with a simple request—Docscrib delivers, saving you even more time.

Ready to upgrade your workflow? Get started and experience fast, accurate, and seamless referrals—without the hassle.

👉 Book Your Docscrib Demo Now →

Final Thoughts: AI-Powered Referrals for Better Care

A medical referral letter isn’t just paperwork — it’s a vital clinical tool. But it shouldn’t take valuable time away from patient care.

With Docscrib’s AI medical scribe, you can:

• Create fast, accurate referral letters

• Use specialty-specific templates

• Communicate clearly with colleagues

• Reduce documentation stress

If you’re ready for smarter, faster, safer referrals, it’s time to try Docscrib.

👉 Try Docscrib Today → AI Medical Scribes for Happier Clinicians