UCSD Student Health Services: MEDICAL EXCUSE POLICY
Student Health Services averages over 55,000 patient encounters each year. This high utilization is expected to continue and may impact access to care unless some types of visits are limited. UCSD Student Health Service recognizes that students are often unsure about when they should come in for care, and we encourage anyone with mild illness or injury to access our on-line self assessments http://studenthealth.ucsd.edu/ . Students can also call (858) 534-3302 and ask to speak with a triage nurse if they would like assistance in determining how to best care for their illness or injury.
In an effort to maintain sufficient availability of Same Day appointments and Urgent Care visits for those whose illness requires medical intervention, we will no longer provide “medical excuses” except under extreme circumstances (i.e. severe, prolonged illness that necessitates dropping a class or obtaining specific accommodations for class/lab participation, test taking or make-up). Many common illnesses and injuries do not require care by a medical professional. For example, sore throat, cold symptoms, or mild gastrointestinal illnesses are often best treated by rest and self-care at home.
We appreciate your cooperation in implementing this policy. Please contact Dr. Regina Fleming at rfleming@ucsd.edu if you have any questions or concerns.
