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.
Post-secondary rules differ by institution and course
University and college absence, deferral, extension, and course-interruption processes are not one Alberta-wide system. Read the course outline and contact the instructor, faculty, or academic office as soon as reasonably possible.
The University of Alberta and University of Calgary publish different official illness processes. Their examples show why students should use their own institution’s current policy rather than assume another school’s rule applies.
A medical note is not an automatic academic outcome
UAlberta says a medical note cannot be required for certain missed work or examinations, and UCalgary says a medical note cannot be required for an in-course assessment absence. Both pages make clear that institutional processes and decisions still apply.
A document does not automatically create an excused absence, deferral, extension, or accommodation. Check the relevant deadline and decision process with the institution.
Disability accommodation is a separate process
Alberta Human Rights Commission guidance describes accommodation as a cooperative process. Supporting information may focus on functional limitations and the accommodation needed rather than a specific diagnosis.
This is not legal advice or a decision about an individual accommodation. Students should contact the appropriate accessibility or disability service at their institution for current requirements.
Keep clinic review and school decisions separate
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.
Do Alberta university students always need a sick note?
No. Institution, faculty, course, and assessment rules differ. Use the current policy and contact the appropriate school office promptly.
Does a sick note guarantee an extension or deferred exam?
No. A document does not guarantee an academic outcome. The institution’s process and decision-maker determine the next step.
Does accommodation always require a diagnosis?
No. Alberta Human Rights Commission guidance describes functional limitations and needed accommodation as relevant information; a diagnosis is generally not the focus.
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.