Successful MAs Know How to Collaborate with Physicians

Posted On July 7,2020

The majority of medical assistants work alongside physicians, mainly in outpatient or ambulatory care facilities, such as medical clinics. It’s not uncommon for a medical assistant to feel a little anxious over the thought of working and collaborating so closely with a physician, especially when first starting out in their career.

If you’re a new medical assistant, or are thinking of becoming a medical assistant in the near future, here are some helpful tips on how to effectively collaborate with the physician in order to ensure your success as an MA, as well as to help calm those new MA jitters:

Remember, You’re Both Human

For some individuals, working and interacting with a physician might seem a little intimidating, as physicians are highly educated and skilled professionals. However, they’re also normal people, just like you and me, so instead of being shy, make an effort to get to know them better.

It is possible to maintain professionalism in the workplace while also getting to know the physician on a more personal level. For example, it’s okay to ask them a few questions about their favorite hobbies or interests, or where they studied to try and find some areas of common interests.

Become an Active Listener

As a medical assistant, you will receive a high volume of information throughout the day, making it easy to tune some of it out. Making a conscious effort to practice active learning so you can collaborate more effectively with physicians. To practice active learning, pay close attention and give the person who’s talking your undivided attention. Acknowledge that you got the message by showing them that you’re listening, either by using body language or gestures to show that you’re engaged. You can also provide feedback, defer any judgements of the information, and then know how to respond appropriately.

Set the Stage for Success

It’s also important to think of your role as a medical assistant like you’re setting up your physician for success. While you may play a vital role in helping to make the office run smoothly, the doctor is the one who has to diagnose and treat the patient. This means that you should help set them up for success whenever possible by gathering information on symptoms of patients and making the patients feel more comfortable or keeping up with administrative tasks so the office runs more efficiently. The longer you work with a particular physician, the easier it will become to anticipate their needs and provide even more assistance or support.

Have Confidence and Speak Up

One way to gain success and respect as an MA is to have confidence in yourself, and don’t be afraid to speak up, especially when you encounter an error. Medical errors can have devastating effects, so if you notice a mistake regarding a prescription, charting, or other documentation, it’s important that you speak up so something important isn’t overlooked. While speaking up and being confident in your decisions may seem straightforward, it shows the physician that you’re acting in the patient’s best interest and that you are also paying close attention to detail and ensuring quality care.

Be Self-Sufficient

Physicians are busy people and don’t have much time for interruptions, so it’s important to be as self-sufficient as possible. That doesn’t mean you can’t ask them any questions if you don’t understand something, but if you’re in constant need of the physician’s help, then you’re slowing down the office.

Maintain a Positive Attitude

Tensions can run high in medical facilities, so a good attitude is always welcome in a doctor’s office. Having a good disposition in the workplace helps the overall morale in the office, and how you interact with other staff members is important to the physician you work with. Be helpful and kind, and make yourself an asset to the practice and you’ll be a talented team player that others will look up to. We can help you get there. Contact our admissions office for information about our upcoming classes. We offer flexible schedules and prepare you for a successful career in healthcare. And best of all there isn’t a waitlist for our programs.