Abstract Unlike general language tests, specific-purpose tests have a greater need for updating should there be changes to context-specific language use. With near continuous inflow of migrant healthcare workers and long-standing language testing practices, the healthcare domain represents a good context for investigating the relationship between changes in the English language assessment standards and changes in the workplace. Focusing on the Occupational English Test (OET), this paper explores evidence from within the healthcare profession, and from nursing in particular, which shows that in some English-speaking jurisdictions (UK, Ireland, Australia), existing English language proficiency requirements for writing had been set at higher levels than necessary for safe and effective practice. Against this background, standard setting studies involving the OET are presented to further clarify the reasons for the recent lowering of the English writing proficiency standards. The study suggests that these changes were brought about by a combination of the original standard being too high, and, more interestingly, differences in the amount and nature of writing required of nurses in the workplace as a result of technology. The paper concludes with a discussion of the outstanding research in relation to the appropriate writing construct given the technological advances in the healthcare workplace.

中文翻译：

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护士所做的写作：调查标准随时间的变化

摘要 与一般语言测试不同，特定目的的测试更需要更新，如果上下文特定的语言使用发生变化。随着流动医疗工作者的持续流入和长期的语言测试实践，医疗领域为调查英语语言评估标准变化与工作场所变化之间的关系提供了良好的背景。本文以职业英语考试 (OET) 为重点，探讨了来自医疗保健行业，尤其​​是护理行业的证据，表明在一些英语国家（英国、爱尔兰、澳大利亚），现有的英语写作能力要求已设定在高于安全和有效实践所需的水平。在此背景下，提出了涉及 OET 的标准制定研究，以进一步阐明最近降低英语写作水平标准的原因。该研究表明，这些变化是由原始标准过高导致的，更有趣的是，由于技术原因，工作场所护士所需的写作数量和性质存在差异。鉴于医疗保健工作场所的技术进步，本文最后讨论了与适当的写作结构相关的杰出研究。由于技术的原因，工作场所护士所需的写作数量和性质存在差异。鉴于医疗保健工作场所的技术进步，本文最后讨论了与适当的写作结构相关的杰出研究。由于技术的原因，工作场所护士所需的写作数量和性质存在差异。鉴于医疗保健工作场所的技术进步，本文最后讨论了与适当的写作结构相关的杰出研究。