This article was co-authored by Tami Claytor and by wikiHow staff writer, Maryana Lucia Vestic, MFA, M.Phil.. Tami Claytor is an Etiquette Coach, Image Consultant, and the Owner of Always Appropriate Image and Etiquette Consulting in New York, New York. With over 20 years of experience, Tami specializes in teaching etiquette classes to individuals, students, companies, and community organizations. Tami has spent decades studying cultures through her extensive travels across five continents and has created cultural diversity workshops to promote social justice and cross-cultural awareness. She holds a BA in Economics with a concentration in International Relations from Clark University. Tami studied at the Ophelia DeVore School of Charm and the Fashion Institute of Technology, where she earned her Image Consultant Certification.
There are 9 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.
This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources.
This article has been viewed 26,485 times.
Feeling appreciation for your doctor, nurse, or healthcare team? Find the most authentic examples for writing a thank you note to a doctor below, including notes focused on nursing, pediatrics, long-term illness, and surgery. Find out how to write a heartfelt thank you note to those in healthcare who make the most difference in your life.
Steps
How to Write a Thank You Note to Doctors and Nurses
-
1Be specific when thanking the doctor for their care and attention. Mention your health situation and how the doctor treated you. When writing a letter of appreciation, include your name, dates, and other information about where the treatment occurred. Doctors deal with a lot of patients, so it’s helpful to remind them of your particular set of circumstances.[12]
- Etiquette coach Tami Claytor believes that you should "always say thank you first. Whatever the gesture is, be very specific and say thank you for X, Y, and Z." Claytor recommends “starting with nice stationery or a card.” That way, “It feels like you’re getting a little present in the mail.”[13]
- Handwriting a thank you doctor message is a nice way to add some human touch to your letter of gratitude. Claytor also notes to “make sure that your handwriting is legible.”[14]
- Unless you share a friendship with your doctor, it’s best to address doctors in a letter by their title (“Dr.”), followed by their full name.
-
2Share how the care you received had a big impact on your life. If the doctor treated an illness, let them know how much your newfound health means to you. If they helped you through a difficult time, let them know the good impression it left on you. If you’re recovering from an injury or surgery, explain how much better your life is after being in their care.
-
3Be warm and sincere when thanking the doctor for their kindness. You don’t have to impress your doctor with formal language or complicated phrasing. Your genuine words of thanks are all they need to know how important they are. Share your heartfelt feelings about your experience so they understand the difference their care made.
-
4Keep your message brief and to the point when expressing thanks. Doctors are busy people and may not have time to follow a long, drawn-out story with unrelated facts. Stick to the main details of your situation and how the doctor helped you. Make an impression with succinct, thoughtful words that show your gratitude without unnecessary details.
-
5Re-emphasize your appreciation with a warm closing. Before signing your letter, re-state how much the doctor’s treatment and care mean to you. Take this moment to wish them well and ensure they understand how special they are. Sign your letter and offer your contact information if you’d like the doctor to reply to your note.
Expert Q&A
Tips
References
- ↑ https://thankfulwave.com/short-thank-you-doctor-messages/
- ↑ https://msgwords.com/thank-you-messages-for-hospital-staff/
- ↑ https://www.caringbridge.org/resources/thank-you-messages-for-nurses
- ↑ https://thankfulwave.com/short-thank-you-doctor-messages/
- ↑ https://thankfulwave.com/short-thank-you-doctor-messages/
- ↑ https://clearreplying.com/thank-you-doctor-messages/#Thank-You_Messages_For_Pediatric_Care
- ↑ https://msgwords.com/thank-you-messages-for-hospital-staff/
- ↑ https://happilylover.com/thank-you-doctor/
- ↑ https://thankfulwave.com/short-thank-you-doctor-messages/
- ↑ https://happilylover.com/thank-you-doctor/
- ↑ https://www.caringbridge.org/resources/thank-you-messages-for-nurses
- ↑ https://onecancerplace.org/newsroom/how-to-thank-your-doctor-or-nurse-thank-you-card-downloads
- ↑ Tami Claytor. Etiquette Coach. Expert Interview
- ↑ Tami Claytor. Etiquette Coach. Expert Interview
- ↑ https://myhappythanks.com/blogs/guides/doctor-thank-you-note-examples
- ↑ https://simplynoted.com/blogs/news/25-ways-end-thank-you-letter-card

















