What to have ready for the call.
Before contacting a clinic, note when the pain began, what makes walking or standing harder, any recent injury or activity change, and any fever, redness, warmth, numbness, or tingling. Have a current medication and allergy list available.
A callback request is not a diagnosis, prescription, referral, laboratory requisition, document, payment, or confirmed appointment. The clinic reviews the concern and may recommend another setting.
When an examination, testing, or another setting may be needed.
This guide cannot decide whether it is safe to wait or which care setting is right for an individual concern. Some concerns need an in-person examination, testing, or another setting. If you are unsure where to go, contact an appropriate in-person healthcare professional or care setting for individual guidance. Use prompt in-person care if you are concerned about worsening symptoms.
Know when not to wait.
Call 911 for a medical emergency or immediate danger. Seek prompt in-person assessment for fever, redness, warmth, inability to bear weight, numbness, tingling, or persistent pain rather than waiting for a virtual conversation.
Virtual care is not appropriate for every concern. If your symptoms are severe, rapidly worsening, or may be an emergency, use emergency services or immediate in-person care instead of waiting for a callback.
Common questions about heel pain.
What should I prepare before contacting a clinic?
Record when the pain started, what affects walking or standing, recent injury or activity changes, and relevant symptoms. Keep your medication and allergy list nearby.
Where can I read the source information?
The primary source is MyHealth Alberta’s Heel Pain: Care Instructions. A second MyHealth Alberta source covers plantar fasciitis care instructions.
Can a virtual conversation address my concern?
The clinic decides whether a virtual conversation or another setting may fit after reviewing the information you provide.
What concerns need prompt in-person assessment?
Fever, redness, warmth, inability to bear weight, numbness, tingling, or persistent pain need prompt in-person assessment. Call 911 for a medical emergency or immediate danger.
Can I request a specific next step?
You may explain what you are seeking, but the clinic determines what can be addressed and whether another care setting is appropriate.
Non-emergency request
Request a doctor call today.
For people physically in Alberta with a valid Alberta Health Care card. After a completed form submitted between 8 AM and 10 PM Mountain Time, a doctor usually calls back within 60 minutes. This is not a guaranteed callback, appointment, or live wait time. Requests submitted outside that window are reviewed by the clinic, but do not have a 60-minute or same-day callback promise. If your concern cannot wait, use appropriate in-person care; call 911 for a possible emergency.