After the Appointment: Follow-Ups, Referrals, Notes, and Results

A lot of people think the visit ends when they walk out of the exam room — but the follow-up phase is often where things get stuck. You may need to book a follow-up, get a referral to a specialist, request a doctor's note for your school or workplace, check lab results, or organize your records to take home before you leave the country. Each one needs different English.

This article teaches English communication and written templates for follow-up care. It is not medical diagnosis, prescription, or legal advice. Discuss any health concern with a qualified doctor. For emergencies, call your local emergency services immediately.

This guide is split into 5 follow-up scenarios. For each one, you get both a phone-call version and an email template.

The Five Follow-Up Scenarios

1. Follow-up appointment — scheduling a return visit
2. Referral to a specialist — getting routed to specialty care
3. Doctor's note / medical certificate — paperwork for school, work, or insurance
4. Lab / imaging results — bloodwork and imaging reports
5. Records request / portability — getting a copy of your records to take home

Core Vocabulary

Must-Know Phrases (All Five Scenarios)

Follow-up

1. "I'd like to schedule a follow-up with Dr. [Name]."
2. "The doctor said I should come back in two weeks for a recheck."
3. "What's the earliest follow-up appointment you have?"

Referral

4. "I'd like a referral to a [specialty], please."
5. "Does my insurance require a referral before I see a specialist?"
6. "Can you send the referral electronically, or do I need to bring a paper copy?"

Doctor's note

7. "Could I get a doctor's note for [school / work / insurance], please?"
8. "My note needs to mention the dates I was unable to [attend class / work]."
9. "Could you specify [date range] on the note?"

Results

10. "When can I expect the lab results?"
11. "Will you call me, or should I check the patient portal?"
12. "Could you go through the results with me when they're ready?"

Records request

13. "I'd like to request a copy of my medical records."
14. "Could the records be in English so I can share them with my doctor at home?"
15. "Is there a fee for the records request?"

Awkward vs Natural Phrasing

Situational Dialogue 1: Booking a Follow-Up + Asking for a Note

You: Hi, I'd like to schedule a follow-up with Dr. Patel. He said I should come back in about two weeks.

Receptionist: Sure. Could I have your name and date of birth?

You: Lin Ming-yi, January 5th, 1995.

Receptionist: I see you in the system. Two weeks from today is the 24th. I have Monday at 11 or Wednesday at 4.

You: Wednesday at 4 works. One more thing — could I get a doctor's note for school covering the dates I was sick?

Receptionist: Sure. Could you tell me what dates the note needs to cover?

You: I missed class on the 8th, 9th, and 10th. Could the note say I was advised to rest during those days?

Receptionist: No problem. We'll have it ready when you come in for the follow-up. Or, I can email it to you in the next couple of days. Which is easier?

You: Email is great. Thanks.

Situational Dialogue 2: Requesting a Referral

You: Hi, I saw Dr. Patel last week, and he suggested I see a dermatologist about a skin issue. Could you help me with the referral?

Receptionist: Yes. Do you have a specific dermatologist in mind, or would you like a recommendation in our network?

You: A recommendation would be great. My insurance is [BLANK]. Could you make sure the dermatologist is in-network?

Receptionist: Of course. I'll send the referral to Dr. Chen at [Clinic Name]. They'll contact you to schedule. Should take 1–2 business days.

You: Perfect. Should I do anything to follow up if I don't hear from them?

Receptionist: If you don't hear from them by Thursday, give us a call.

Email Templates

Email 1: Requesting a Doctor's Note

Subject: Request for a doctor's note — Lin Ming-yi (DOB 1995-01-05)

Hello,

I was seen by Dr. Patel on May 8 for a sore throat and fever. Could I please request a doctor's note covering the days I was unable to attend class (May 8 to May 10)?

The note will be submitted to my school. If a specific format is required, I'm happy to provide a template.

Thank you very much for your help.

Best regards,
Lin Ming-yi
Date of birth: 1995-01-05
Phone: __________

Email 2: Requesting Medical Records to Take Home

Subject: Records request — Lin Ming-yi (DOB 1995-01-05)

Hello,

I'm visiting from another country, and I'd like to request a copy of the records from my visit on May 8 so I can share them with my primary care doctor at home.

Specifically, I'd appreciate:
- Visit summary
- Diagnosis (if any)
- Prescriptions and dosage
- Lab or imaging results

If possible, I'd prefer the records in English. Could you let me know:
1. The fee, if any
2. Whether I need to sign a release form
3. The expected turnaround time

I can be reached at [phone / email].

Thank you,
Lin Ming-yi

Email 3: Asking About Lab Results

Subject: Lab results inquiry — Lin Ming-yi (visit date May 8)

Hello,

I'm following up on the bloodwork I had at my visit on May 8. Could you let me know:
- Whether the results are in
- How I can access them (portal, phone call, email)
- Whether I need to schedule a brief call with the doctor to go over them

Thank you,
Lin Ming-yi
DOB: 1995-01-05

Replaceable Sentence Templates

1. "I'd like to schedule a [BLANK]."
   • …a follow-up.
   • …a recheck.
   • …an annual physical.
2. "Could I get a [BLANK] for [BLANK]?"
   • Could I get a doctor's note for my school?
   • Could I get a referral for an orthopedist?
3. "My [document] needs to mention [BLANK]."
   • My note needs to mention the dates I missed work.
4. "Could you send the [BLANK] to [BLANK]?"
   • Could you send the records to my email?
5. "Is there a fee for [BLANK]?"
   • Is there a fee for a records request?

Practice

Rewrite each scenario so it sounds natural to a receptionist or doctor.

1. Ask to book a follow-up two weeks out.
2. You need a doctor's note for your insurance — ask them to include the dates you were off.
3. Ask whether your insurance needs a referral to see a dermatologist.
4. Ask when the lab results will be ready and how to check them.
5. Ask for a copy of your medical records in English to bring home.

Reference Answers

1. I'd like to schedule a follow-up in two weeks.
2. I need a doctor's note for my insurance. Could it include the dates I was off?
3. Does my insurance require a referral before I see a dermatologist?
4. When will the lab results be ready, and how can I check them?
5. I'd like to request a copy of my medical records in English to bring home.

Copyable Pre-Departure Summary

At the end of your visit, pull out this checklist and go through it before you leave the room.

Before I leave the clinic checklist
[ ] Did the doctor want me to come back? When? — "Do I need a follow-up?"
[ ] Do I need to see a specialist? Will you send a referral? — "Do I need a referral?"
[ ] Do I need a doctor's note for school / work / insurance? — "Could I get a doctor's note?"
[ ] Are there any test results coming? How will I get them? — "How will I receive the results?"
[ ] How do I take the medication? — "Could you write down the dosage?"
[ ] What should I watch for? When should I come back sooner? — "What symptoms mean I should come back right away?"
[ ] Where can I pick up the medication? — "Where's the nearest pharmacy?"

Records portability (before leaving the country)
[ ] Visit summary in English
[ ] Diagnosis + ICD code if available
[ ] Prescriptions with generic names + dosages
[ ] Lab / imaging results
[ ] Doctor's contact info for follow-up questions

Related Reading

• Booking the appointment: Booking a Doctor's Appointment in English: Schedule, Reschedule, Cancel, and Walk-In
• When you can't follow what's said: What to Do When You Can't Follow the Doctor: Ask Them to Slow Down, Repeat, or Write It Down

Reminder: This article teaches English communication for follow-up care only. It is not medical diagnosis, prescription, or legal advice. Discuss medical decisions with a doctor you trust. For urgent symptoms, call your local emergency services immediately.