There are many reasons to visit the doctor, from getting a physical to getting checked when you’re not feeling well.
Of course, to see the doctor, other activities in your life may be put on hold or missed completely, which can potentially cause a problem with work or school. Luckily, there is an easy way to answer everyone’s questions and get the time off you may need to rest and recover: a doctor’s note.
Obtaining a real doctor’s note will not only provide either your boss or school administrators a reason for your absence but can also help you secure the time off you need while allowing everyone involved to properly prepare for your absence.
In this article, we’ll cover exactly why a doctor’s note is important and an example of what one may look like so you know what to expect.
How to Get One
Getting your doctor to write you a doctor’s note is a simple process. All you need to do is let the receptionist know that you will need one, who will be receiving it (i.e., you or your child’s school or workplace), and what all needs to be included in it.
You can always review your company’s policy or email someone from the management team so you know what your doctor’s note needs to include. Once you’re sent back to the doctor, and their examination has finished, make sure to get the note from them.
Be sure to read it before you leave to ensure that all of the necessary information is included. It will be much easier to get a correction or elaboration before you leave than it will be to do so later.
How it Looks
A doctor’s note’s overall look and appearance can vary based on what information the note needs to contain.
They will typically include the patient’s name, the doctor’s name, the visit date, the date the patient can return to work or school, and the doctor’s contact information. School doctor’s notes may also contain information about the student’s temperature, who diagnosed the issue, what medications were given to them while they were in the office, and whether or not they needed to be sent home.
As you can see, while some details appear no matter what type of note you get, the specifics can change depending on where the note was obtained and who will receive it. If you would like to know what it will look like before you receive it, you can ask your doctor for an example of one they’ve written, though they will likely only have the template they’ll fill out to show you.
What to do With it
Now that you have your doctor’s note, what do you do with it? This depends on where it needs to go and company policy, so if your child has to be taken to the doctor because they aren’t feeling well, then you’ll need to call the school and inform them of your child’s absence.
You’ll then need to take any doctor’s advice and your child’s health before deciding what to do with the doctor’s note. If the child is well enough to go to school the next day, then you can have them collect the schoolwork they missed and deliver the note when they return.
If they’re too sick or the doctor recommends they stay home for a few more days, then you’ll have to deliver the note and collect any missed work yourself. You’ll also have to deliver your note, notify the school and professors, and collect missed work on your own if you’re in college and you need to take some time off due to an illness.
Make sure to call your employer and inform them of your absence and ask about what information your doctor’s note needs. The Human Resources or HR department of your workplace should have this information. Ensure you know where to send your doctor’s note before you end the call or email discussion to avoid any confusion in the future.
In summary, obtaining a doctor’s note will help excuse your absence and allow you to take the required recovery time before returning to school or work. It will contain all of the basic information your boss needs to know, allowing them to prepare for your absence.
Now that you understand the importance of having doctor’s notes, be sure to ask for a doctor’s note during your next appointment. It may save you a headache or two.
