Important: This article is general information, not medical advice. Virtual care is not appropriate for every concern. For a medical emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.
An online request is not a note
An online request can be a way to start a conversation about a non-emergency health concern. It does not itself confirm that a clinician can assess the concern virtually or that any documentation can accurately be provided.
CPSA says virtual care must meet the same professional and legal standards as in-person care. A clinician needs enough information to decide whether a virtual conversation, in-person assessment, or another setting is appropriate.
The requesting organization’s rules still matter
A workplace, school, insurer, benefit plan, or leave program may have its own current requirements. Alberta employment standards also use different documentation rules for different types of leave.
For example, Alberta’s personal and family responsibility leave does not require a medical certificate by legislation, while long-term illness and injury leave has specified certificate requirements for eligible employees.
Keep workplace medical information limited
Alberta Human Rights Commission guidance says medical information should be limited to what is reasonably necessary for the absence, return-to-work, restrictions, or accommodation context. A diagnosis is generally not required except in limited circumstances.
That guidance does not decide an individual workplace dispute or what a particular school will accept. Review the relevant policy and ask the appropriate organization about its process.
Start with an accurate request boundary
For a non-emergency health concern, an AlbertaMD public request starts clinic review. The clinic reviews the request and contacts the person about the next step. It does not confirm an appointment, callback time, virtual visit, sick note, certificate, prescription, coverage, fee, or any other outcome.
For a medical emergency, call 911 or seek immediate emergency assessment instead of waiting for a documentation question or an online request.
Common patient questions.
Ready to start? For an eligible non-emergency concern, start your visit form when you are ready; the clinic reviews each request. Call 911 for an emergency or seek prompt professional assessment when a concern cannot wait.
Can an online request guarantee a doctor’s note?
No. A clinician decides whether there is enough information for an appropriate assessment and what documentation, if any, can accurately be provided.
Do Alberta employers always require an online doctor’s note?
No. Documentation depends on the leave type, workplace policy, agreement, and circumstances. Alberta law does not create one universal rule for every absence.
Should I put a form or health details in the public request?
No. The public request is not a place for identity numbers, files, or private clinical details. Keep private details for the clinic’s approved workflow if the clinic requests them.
Continue with related Alberta guides.
These patient guides add context on virtual care, care navigation, and next-step preparation.
Learn more from Alberta resources.
These public resources offer additional context on virtual-care preparation, safety, and professional standards.
Ready to see a doctor?
Request a doctor call today.
For non-emergency health concerns only. For requests submitted during open hours, the clinic reviews each request and contacts you about the next step.