To support the communication skills of Filipino healthcare workers, OET, the global leader in English language testing for healthcare, hosted a media roundtable today in Manila. The roundtable discussed the transformative role of English proficiency in advancing healthcare outcomes and professional mobility.
Titled “Raising the Standard: English Proficiency in Healthcare for Better Patient Outcomes,” the event convened journalists from key Philippine media outlets to engage in a timely conversation about the future of healthcare communication, how OET supports both local and global workforce needs, and its growing presence in the country’s education and healthcare sectors.
“OET is more than an English test, it’s a healthcare communication solution,” said Jaime Cortes, CEO of OET. “We are proud to support Filipino healthcare professionals who are leading the way in global care delivery. Our work here in the Philippines is grounded in a clear purpose: to help healthcare workers communicate with clarity, empathy, and confidence—whether they’re serving patients at home or abroad.”
“Thousands of Filipino healthcare professionals have already sat the OET test, accelerating their careers and unlocking international opportunities in leading healthcare systems around the world,” added Cortes.
Unlike general academic English tests, OET is purpose-built for 12 healthcare professions, using real-world clinical scenarios such as patient consultations, medical documentation, and professional handovers. By aligning testing with day-to-day tasks, OET empowers candidates to succeed in both high-stakes assessments and high-pressure clinical environments.
“OET is not just about passing a test, it’s about preparing healthcare professionals for the real world,” said Dr. Gad Lim, OET’s Director of Assessment and Learning. “Our research shows that candidates who train using real clinical communication scenarios feel more prepared, less anxious, and ultimately more confident in the workplace. That’s the value OET brings.”
With Filipino healthcare workers making up a significant portion of the global workforce, OET is increasingly seen as a trusted tool for enabling career advancement while also supporting safer and more effective healthcare delivery. The roundtable emphasized that English proficiency is not just a requirement for migration, but a critical skill for local patient safety, teamwork, and quality care, especially in multilingual and multicultural settings.
The event also featured May Parsons, the Filipino-British nurse globally recognized for administering the world’s first COVID-19 vaccine outside clinical trials. Sharing her personal story, Parsons reflected on the value of communication in building trust with patients and teams:
“When I migrated to the UK, it wasn’t the clinical work that challenged me—it was how I communicated with patients in distress or explained procedures to families,” Parsons shared. “If OET had been available to me back then, I would have felt more prepared. OET doesn’t just test your English, it prepares you for the real human moments of care.”
Building Local Relevance and Global Mobility
As OET continues to grow its footprint in the Philippines, the organization is working with educational institutions, hospitals, and professional associations to integrate OET-aligned training into existing curricula and workplace development programs.
Recent partnerships with universities aim to embed English for healthcare communication as part of student learning outcomes, while collaborations with hospital networks explore using OET as a standard for career progression and quality assurance.
“Our vision is for English proficiency to be seen not just as a requirement but as a career enabler, a patient safety tool, and a hallmark of quality,” Cortes added. “That’s why we’re investing in local partnerships, localized learning support, and greater access for Filipino healthcare workers who deserve globally recognized pathways.”
The roundtable ended with an open forum, where media participants explored OET’s expanding role in healthcare workforce development, local upskilling, and access to international certification.
About OET
OET is the global leader in English language testing for healthcare. We empower internationally trained healthcare professionals to communicate effectively in healthcare settings.
Every month, we support tens of thousands of healthcare professionals from over 100 countries, who dream of taking their career further. We help them take their next step—whether they’re looking to expand their horizons or to advance their careers right where they are.
Our test is recognized by 450+ organizations worldwide, including for migration and licensing in Australia, New Zealand, the US, the UK, and more.
Unlike other general or academic English tests, OET was developed specifically for 12 healthcare professions. We’ve worked with healthcare experts to design a test that includes real workplace tasks and medical vocabulary, so healthcare professionals can feel confident they’re selecting an English test that’s relevant to their global healthcare career.
