What to have ready for the call.
Note when and how the burn happened, the body area involved, how it looks and feels now, changes over time, relevant medicines or allergies, health conditions, and questions for a clinician.
A callback request gives the clinic a starting point to review the concern. Diagnosis, prescriptions, referrals, laboratory requisitions, documents, payment, and next steps depend on that review; another setting may be recommended.
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 or seek emergency care for a possible life-threatening emergency, trouble breathing, burns affecting the face, hands, genitals, or airway, electrical or chemical exposure, severe pain, or another rapidly worsening concern. Do not wait for a callback request.
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 minor burns.
Can I use an online request for a minor burn in Alberta?
An online request can give the clinic information to review, but it does not diagnose a burn, assess its severity, confirm a virtual visit, or promise treatment. The clinic may recommend a different care setting.
What details should I prepare for a possible minor burn?
A clear timeline, how the burn happened, body area involved, changes over time, pain, relevant medicines or allergies, health conditions, and questions for a clinician can make a review more useful.
When should I not wait for an online request?
Use immediate in-person or emergency care for severe or rapidly worsening symptoms, a possible life-threatening emergency, trouble breathing, burns affecting the face, hands, genitals, or airway, electrical or chemical exposure, or another serious concern. Call 911 for an emergency.
Where can I find official Alberta burn information?
MyHealth Alberta provides current public information about burns. It does not assess an individual burn or replace appropriate in-person care, urgent care, emergency care, or an appropriate clinical assessment.
What should I do if I am unsure whether a minor burn can wait for an online request?
Contact an appropriate in-person healthcare professional or care setting for individual guidance, and use 911 or emergency care for a possible emergency or trouble breathing. The clinic decides whether a virtual conversation or another care setting may fit.
Virtual-care discovery
Calgary and Edmonton virtual-care questions.
This Alberta-wide guide can help you prepare for a clinic-reviewed virtual-care request from home. If another care setting may help, the clinic guides the next step.
Can I use this minor-burn guide in Calgary?
This Alberta-wide guide can help you prepare for a clinic-reviewed virtual-care request from home. If another care setting may help, the clinic guides the next step.
Can I use this minor-burn guide in Edmonton?
This Alberta-wide guide can help you prepare for a clinic-reviewed virtual-care request from home. If another care setting may help, the clinic guides the next step.
Non-emergency request
Request a doctor call today.
For people physically in Alberta with a valid Alberta Health Care card. For requests submitted during open hours, the clinic reviews the request and contacts you about the next step. AlbertaMD operates daily from 8:00am to 10:00pm Mountain Time. For a possible emergency, call 911 rather than waiting for an online request. If your concern cannot wait, use appropriate in-person care; call 911 for a possible emergency.