Sheffield Assessment Instrument for (referral) Letters (SAIL)

The Sheffield Assessment Instrument for Letters assesses communication by letter using a consensus framework developed to look at routine letters between primary and secondary care. The Instrument can easily be adapted for use by GP Trainers to assess referral letters between GP registrars (and other members of the practice!) and secondary care. In particular the trainer can adapt and modify the checklist to record the presence or otherwise of components deemed important in communicating by letter.

The Instrument is reproduced by kind permission of

Dr Helena Davies
Consultant in Medical Education / Late Effects
Sheffield Children’s NHS Trust
Western Bank
Sheffield S10 2TH

The Sheffield Assessment Instrument for Letters assesses communication by letter using a consensus framework developed to look at routine letters between primary and secondary care

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Reference: Crossley JGM, Howe A, Newble D, Jolly B and Davies HA.(2001) Sheffield Assessment Instrument for Letters (SAIL): performance assessment using outpatient letters. Medical Education, 35:1115-1124