Why are Medical Assistants Essential?

There are many key players in the healthcare setting, specifically in a clinical office, but one often under-recognized MVP is the Medical Assistant (MA). With a wide range of skills, Medical Assistants can aid providers in nearly all aspects of patient care. For example, MAs who exhibit compassion and empathy towards patients can ask difficult questions and empower their patients to take an active role in their own healthcare. Medical Assistants may also provide high-quality care via resourcefulness, certified skills, and problem-solving abilities, which can help an office run well. 

Utilizing Medical Assistants well also helps improve the efficiency of the office. Due to their laboratory, clinical, and administrative training, MAs can juggle many office demands. Phlebotomy, for example, is a valuable asset to the medical office, removing a barrier to care that is common in off-site labs. Lab work can take time and often requires a designated employee to fill the Laboratory Tech or Phlebotomist role. However, because many MAs are trained in the laboratory setting and certified in phlebotomy, they can perform venipunctures and then handle patient specimens as they are transferred to a lab for processing, a vital step in patient care. Some are even able to start intravenous (IV) lines. In addition to benefitting the office and patients, these skills also help the MA stand out when applying for jobs and negotiating a salary as they prove a more versatile and valuable candidate.¹ 

As their value is increasingly recognized, the role of the MA has continued to expand. For example, because the MA is typically the first person patients see and build rapport with, they often act as a liaison between the provider and patient.^2,3 MAs are also commonly used as co-caregivers who work with the providers, helping maintain contact before, after, and between patient visits to the office. Furthermore, Medical Assistants are beginning to take on the role of Care Coordinators in larger clinics, assisting with patient follow-up, especially as medical offices adopt and add chronic care programs to their list of patient services. This means they may help with any scheduling needed by the provider, follow up with patients to check the progress of referral completion, or assist the patient if there is trouble accessing the recommended care. This hands-on care ensures patients feel well cared for, further builds rapport, and ultimately allows the office to run smoothly, which is especially important when patients face difficult diagnoses or have chronic conditions.^3,4 Being a kind, familiar face is a simple, albeit powerful, role the MA can play in patient care.

Finally, MAs are frequently asked to provide patient education and be available if the patient has any questions about the visit, ultimately closing information gaps for many patients who do not understand the medical terminology used during their visit.

With their flexibility and versatile skill sets, the Medical Assistant plays an essential role in the functionality and quality of care a medical office provides.

 

References

1. NurseJournal.org (2023, February 9). 5 Things Medical Assistants Learn On The Job. NurseJournal. Retrieved January 29, 2024, from https://nursejournal.org/articles/things-medical-assistants-learn-on-the-job/
2. Toledo Nursing School (2022, January 20). How Important are Medical Assistants in Healthcare? Retrieved January 29, 2024, from https://info.athenacareers.edu/blog/how-important-are-medical-assistants-in-healthcare
3. National Library of Medicine (2021, November 29). An Expanded Role for the Medical Assistant in Primary Care: Evaluating a Training Pilot. National Center for Biotechnology Information. Retrieved January 29, 2024, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8784025/
4. American Association of Medical Assistants (n.d.). What Is a Medical Assistant? AAMA. Retrieved January 29, 2024, from https://www.aama-ntl.org/medical-assisting/what-is-a-medical-assistant