In the PTE Speaking & Writing section, “Summarize Written Text” challenges test-takers to condense a passage into a single sentence, capturing key ideas succinctly. A frequent topic in this task has been healthcare topics, including Telemedicine and healthcare accessibility, which is increasingly relevant in today’s world of rapid technological advancement in healthcare.
Telemedicine—the remote diagnosis and treatment of patients through digital technology—is transforming the way healthcare is delivered around the globe, particularly in underserved areas, enhancing affordability and convenience. In this article, we’ll provide sample Summarize Written Text exercises based on this increasingly common theme.
Sample Summarize Written Text Task 1: Telemedicine Opening New Avenues for Healthcare Access
Telemedicine is increasingly being adopted worldwide as a solution to healthcare access issues, especially in rural and underserved areas. By using telecommunication technology, people can now receive consultations, diagnoses, and sometimes even treatments from healthcare providers remotely. This development has reduced the geographical barriers that often limit access to healthcare services, and it’s proving to be a cost-effective model for both providers and patients. Furthermore, telemedicine has facilitated timelier interventions in critical situations, preventing delays in treatment that would otherwise result in adverse patient outcomes. However, despite the growth of this field, telemedicine faces challenges such as disparities in internet access, concerns about data privacy, and the limitations of solely digital interactions in certain clinical scenarios.
Task: Write a one-sentence summary of the passage above.
Model Answers for Different Band Scores:
75-90 Band Answer:
Telemedicine has emerged as a cost-effective solution to healthcare access issues, particularly in underserved areas, offering remote diagnosis and timely treatment despite challenges such as internet access and privacy concerns.
Content: 5/5
Form: 2/2
Grammar: 2/2
Vocabulary: 2/2
Spelling: 2/2
65-74 Band Answer:
Telemedicine uses digital technology to provide remote healthcare services, reducing barriers to access in rural areas but facing challenges like privacy and internet connectivity.
Content: 4.5/5
Form: 2/2
Grammar: 2/2
Vocabulary: 1.5/2
Spelling: 2/2
50-64 Band Answer:
Telemedicine helps underserved areas with healthcare access and is facing potential problems like lack of internet and issues about privacy.
Content: 4/5
Form: 2/2
Grammar: 1.5/2
Vocabulary: 1.5/2
Spelling: 2/2
Telemedicine in rural areas offering remote healthcare services
Sample Summarize Written Text Task 2: Telemedicine and the Pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly accelerated the adoption of telemedicine across the globe. With lockdowns and social distancing measures in place, healthcare providers and patients turned to virtual consultations as a safer alternative to in-person visits. This transition was especially evident in metropolitan areas where population density posed a heightened risk of virus transmission. Studies showed that telemedicine helped reduce the strain on healthcare systems, while also ensuring that at-risk populations, such as the elderly or those immunocompromised, could safely receive medical advice. Nonetheless, concerns about the quality of care provided via telemedicine remain, particularly for patients requiring physical examinations.
Task: Write a one-sentence summary of the passage above.
Model Answers for Different Band Scores:
75-90 Band Answer:
The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a surge in telemedicine adoption, which has protected vulnerable populations and alleviated healthcare system strain, but concerns about the quality of care for patients needing physical exams remain.
Content: 5/5
Form: 2/2
Grammar: 2/2
Vocabulary: 2/2
Spelling: 2/2
65-74 Band Answer:
Telemedicine became more popular during the COVID-19 pandemic due to its safety for high-risk groups and its ability to support healthcare systems, though care quality concerns persist.
Content: 4.5/5
Form: 2/2
Grammar: 2/2
Vocabulary: 1.5/2
Spelling: 2/2
50-64 Band Answer:
Telemedicine grew during the pandemic, helping vulnerable people and relieving hospitals, but there are worries about how well some patients are looked after.
Content: 4/5
Form: 2/2
Grammar: 1.5/2
Vocabulary: 1.5/2
Spelling: 2/2
Telemedicine in use during the COVID-19 pandemic to reduce virus transmission risks
Sample Summarize Written Text Task 3: Mental Health and Telemedicine
Mental health services have also benefited from the expansion of telemedicine, especially in rural and underserved urban areas where there is often a shortage of mental health professionals. Telemedicine allows patients to receive mental health consultations from the comfort of their home, which not only reduces the stigma associated with visiting a mental health clinic but also makes it easier for individuals to seek help. Recent studies suggest that telepsychiatry is nearly as effective as in-person counseling, although some patients report feeling more comfortable with face-to-face meetings. Privacy concerns, as well as issues around internet access, continue to be obstacles in the full deployment of telemedicine services for mental health care.
Task: Write a one-sentence summary of the passage above.
Model Answers for Different Band Scores:
75-90 Band Answer:
Telemedicine has improved mental health service access in underserved areas by offering convenient and effective remote care, though face-to-face therapy may be preferred and privacy concerns remain.
Content: 5/5
Form: 2/2
Grammar: 2/2
Vocabulary: 2/2
Spelling: 2/2
65-74 Band Answer:
Telemedicine offers effective mental health support in underserved areas, though some people prefer in-person care and concerns about privacy persist.
Content: 4.5/5
Form: 2/2
Grammar: 2/2
Vocabulary: 1.5/2
Spelling: 2/2
50-64 Band Answer:
Telemedicine has helped provide mental health care, although some patients prefer physical meetings and there are still issues like privacy.
Content: 4/5
Form: 2/2
Grammar: 1.5/2
Vocabulary: 1.5/2
Spelling: 2/2
Telemedicine for mental health care delivering remote treatment
Vocabulary and Grammar Notes
Words and Phrases for Telemedicine-related Topics:
-
Underserved [ˌʌn.dəˈsɜːvd]: (adj.) Not provided with enough services.
Example: Many rural areas remain underserved in terms of healthcare access. -
Telehealth [tɛləˈhɛlθ]: (noun) The provision of healthcare remotely through telecommunications technology.
Example: Telehealth is rapidly growing as patients seek safer ways to receive care. -
Consultation [ˌkɒnsʌlˈteɪʃən]: (noun) A discussion with healthcare professionals about symptoms or treatment options.
Example: The consultation happened over a video call. -
Immunocompromised [ˌɪm.jʊˈnoʊ.kɒm.prə.maɪzd]: (adj.) Having an impaired immune system.
Example: Immunocompromised patients are at greater risk during pandemics. -
Telepsychiatry [tɛlɪˌsaɪˈkaɪətrɪ]: (noun) The practice of psychiatry over telecommunications devices.
Example: Telepsychiatry has opened new doors for those in remote areas. -
Stigma [ˈstɪɡ.mə]: (noun) A mark of disgrace associated with a particular condition or behavior.
Example: Telemedicine reduces the stigma tied to mental health consultations. -
Geographical Barriers [ˌdʒiːəˈɡræfɪkl ˈbæriərz]: (noun) Physical distance that makes accessing services difficult.
Example: Telemedicine has helped to overcome many geographical barriers. -
Timelier [ˈtaɪmliər]: (adj.) Happening sooner or in a more opportune moment.
Example: Telemedicine provides timelier care to critical patients. -
Alleviate [əˈliː.vi.eɪt]: (verb) To make a problem or suffering less severe.
Example: Telemedicine helped alleviate the burden on overstressed hospitals. -
Digital Interactions [ˈdɪʤɪtl ɪntə’rækʃənz]: (noun) Communication and activities happening through digital means.
Example: Digital interactions can replace face-to-face consultations in non-urgent cases.
Conclusion
In this article, we’ve created three telemedicine-based Summarize Written Text tasks, reflecting real-world examples from past PTE exams. Telemedicine and healthcare accessibility is a major trend in modern healthcare, and likely to be a theme in future tests. Make sure to practice regularly by summarizing various topics, such as the ones provided, and explore additional themes like the future of telemedicine in healthcare. Happy practicing!
