Suffering from 'White Coat Syndrome'?

Medical Assistants Ease Patients’ Minds

Your heart races, your palms sweat and your mouth feels dry. Why does a simple trip to the doctor’s office stress you so much? You may have patient anxiety, more commonly known as “white coat syndrome,” and there are volumes of books and legions of Web sites devoted to the topic.

The fact is when it comes to visiting the doctor, anxiety-induced symptoms can range from mild fear to a full-blown clinical phobia. Is it the medicinal smell? The stark white walls? The long wait? A bad previous experience? Perhaps it’s the fear of finding out something you really don’t want to know. For some people, it’s all of these things.

Medical Assistants Can Make or Break a Patient`s Office Visit

Who do you turn to for help in easing the anxiety of a doctor’s visit? It turns out, there’s probably already someone working right there in your doctor’s office who can help you feel more comfortable about your visit -- the medical assistant. The medical assistant is not only trained to handle both administrative and clinical duties, but is also someone who can make or break a patient’s office experience.

Humor is an important tool medical assistants use to help anxious patients. A patient with breast cancer, for instance, felt that her interactions and running jokes with the doctor’s office staff made her experience much more pleasant, according to Donna Patterson, former certified medical assistant. “We never treated people like sick patients, but rather like human beings. That’s what kept people going,” says Patterson, now the curriculum manager for the medical assisting program at Corinthian Colleges, which owns and operates Everest College and Everest University.

“Compassion and empathy, along with a well-placed joke or humorous comment, let patients know you’re not walking on eggshells just because they’re sick, but are merely treating them like any other patient,” she says.

Ellen McKinely, CMA, an instructor at Everest Institute in Norcross, Ga., agrees. “A medical assistant uses good eye contact and body language to show the patient he’s important and taken seriously.”

What Is Medical Assisting?

Medical assisting is a booming field, projected to grow by 27 percent or more through 2014, according to the U.S. Department of Labor -- growth that is largely due to the increase in the number of group practices, clinics and other health care facilities that need a high proportion of support personnel.

Because the medical assistant is often the first person a patient meets in a medical office, the way the medical assistant speaks, smiles or expresses himself affects the patient, according to Chris Spray, medical assisting instructor at Everest College’s Reseda, Calif., campus. “A medical assistant can recognize patient anxiety just by observing body language,” she says.

In some situations patients actually feel more comfortable talking to a medical assistant or RN than the doctor. Today, as doctors’ patient loads become heavier, that sense of comfort with the medical assistant or RN becomes even more important.

Medical Assistants Play a Vital Role in the Healing Process

“The patient load for the average doctor has increased tremendously over the last 20 years, making it physically impossible for the doctor to spend time reassuring anxious patients,” says Dr. Fred Valdes, medical program director for Everest University in Pompano Beach, Fla. “In today’s typical medical practice, the role of `comforter` has been assumed by the medical assistant, who can establish a personal touch which is so much a part of the healing process.”

“Medical assistants also help minimize frustration and anxiety by processing such paperwork as insurance forms and test results,” says Debra Lynn Penman, Doctor of Chiropractic, a program chairperson at Everest College’s City of Industry,Calif.,campus.

Doctors’ offices are working on other ways to make visits more pleasant, as well. Penman, who previously ran a chiropractic office, notes that white walls are the worst thing for anxious patients. “The office needs to be warm and inviting with walls painted in colors like peach, soft yellow or light tan with contrasting-colored furniture.”

Penman adds that keeping kids busy is important too, especially when mom and dad are talking to the office staff. “At my office, we even had several hand-held video games for adults and older children. Remember, the longer that a person has to stare at the same four walls, the more anxious they are going to get.”

From a little nervousness to increased blood pressure, nearly everyone visiting the doctor experiences some anxiety. A medical assistant can help to allay that anxiety through calming words and actions and patients should seek out these individuals on every trip to the doctor`s office.

To learn more about a career as a medical assistant, visit Everest College. (Courtesy of ARAcontent)

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Everest College

Campus

Develop the skills to succeed in today's highly competitive business environment. Everest College can prepare you for a rewarding career in some of today's hottest fields.

Programs:

• Diploma - Medical Assistant
• Diploma - Dental Assistant
• Diploma - Pharmacy Technician

Campus Locations:

Reseda
San Jose
Los Angeles
Alhambra
LA Puente
Gardena
Ontario
San Francisco
Torrance
Anaheim
San Bernardino
Hayward
Santa Ana

Kaplan College - KHE

Campus

Don't wait another day to take the next step forward in your career. Kaplan College can give you the real-world knowledge and skills you need to succeed in your chosen field.

Programs:

• Diploma: Medical Assistant
• Diploma: Nurse Assistant Training Program
• Diploma: Patient Care Assistant/Technician

Campus Locations:

Riverside
San Diego
Chula Vista
Stockton
Bakersfield
Vista
Salida

Platt College

Campus

Turn your talents into a career. Nationally recognized and accredited Platt College offers degree programs in Graphic Design, Multimedia, IT Networking and Paralegal.

Programs:

• Medical Assisting
• Respiratory Therapy Associate of Science

Campus Locations:

Alhambra
Ontario
Riverside

American Career College

Campus

American Career College (ACC) offers hands-on training that will prepare students for careers in the healthcare industry at three campuses in Los Angeles, Ontario, and Orange County, California. ACC's programs combine classroom lectures and hands-on training to prepare students for a Diploma or Associate of Occupational Science degree.

Programs:

• Medical Assistant
• Associate of Occupational Science in Respiratory Therapy
• Dental Assistant

Campus Locations:

Los Angeles
Ontario
Anaheim

Heald College

Campus

Heald College offers 18-month associate degree programs that will prepare you for a career in Business, Technology, or Healthcare. Small class sizes, hands-on instruction.

Programs:

• Medical Assisting
• Dental Assisting

Campus Locations:

Roseville
Salinas
Hayward
Stockton
Rancho Cordova
San Francisco
Concord
Salida
Milpitas
Fresno

Carrington College California

Campus

Carrington College California offers the programs you need to begin a career in healthcare. Choose from Healthcare, Massage Therapy, Dental Assisting, Pharmacy Technology, or Veterinary Services.

Programs:

• Certificate in Medical Assisting
• AS in Medical Assisting
• AS in Dental Assisting

Campus Locations:

Emeryville
Antioch
Sacramento
Citrus Heights
San Jose
Pleasant Hill
Stockton
San Leandro

Career Colleges of America

Campus

Get your career started with Career Colleges of America. We have four campuses in the Los Angeles area offering a wide variety of allied health training programs.

Programs:

• Medical Assistant
• Home Health Aide
• Nurse Assistant

Campus Locations:

Los Angeles
South Gate
San Bernardino
Gardena

Santa Barbara Business College

Campus

California is home to beautiful landscapes, a diverse population and countless things to do. Santa Barbara Business College is a California technical school that helps people just like you learn skills for their career. After all, without a good career, it can be difficult to enjoy all the wonderful things California has to offer.

SBBCollege is accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools. For information on graduation rates, median debt of graduates who completed these programs and other important information, visit http://www.sbbcollege.edu/consumerinformation/disclosures.php. SBBCollege offers financial aid to those who qualify.

Programs:

• Medical Assisting Diploma
• Medical Assisting Associate

Campus Locations:

Santa Barbara
Ventura
Santa Maria
Rancho Mirage

UEI College

Campus

UEI College can give you the real world medical, business, and technology skills you need to start a rewarding career. Let us know how we can assist you with your personal growth by helping you train for your perfect career.

Programs:

• Medical Assistant
• Dental Assistant
• Pharmacy Technician

Campus Locations:

Bakersfield
Stockton
Riverside
Fresno
Gardena
Anaheim
San Marcos

Empire College

Campus

Empire College, located in Santa Rosa, California, can give you the career training you need to launch or advance your career in the Business, Law, Technology, or Medical fields.

Programs:

• Medical Assisting

Campus Locations:

Santa Rosa

Milan Institute

Campus

Successful careers begin at the Milan Institute. We offer quality hands-on training, experienced faculty and a staff committed to helping you realize your goals.

Programs:

• Medical Assisting
• Registered Dental Assistant
• Administrative Medical Assistant

Campus Locations:

Bakersfield
Visalia
Indio
Clovis

Intercoast Colleges

Campus

Get your career started with Intercoast Colleges. We offer a number of certificate programs in a variety of fields, including medical, allied health, massage therapy, nursing, and electrical training.

Programs:

• Medical Assistant

Campus Locations:

Elk Grove
Fairfield
West Covina
Orange

Charter College

Campus

You can prepare for a new career with help from Charter College. Our accelerated Bachelors Degree, Associates Degree, and Certificate programs are designed to help you complete your education as quickly as possible. We offer year-round classes and flexible scheduling - study anytime from anywhere. We provide students not only with the technical skills necessary for success, but also job search and placement assistance so you can find new opportunities after graduation.

Programs:

• Diploma - Medical Assistant
• Certificate - Medical Assistant
• Diploma - Dental Assistant

Campus Locations:

Lancaster
Oxnard
Canyon Country
Long Beach

Institute of Technology

Campus

You can get started on a new career with Institute of Technology. We offer diploma and associate degree programs for careers in the culinary, technical, medical, business, and legal fields.

For more information about our graduation rates, the median debt of students who completed the program, and other important information, please visit our website at www.it-colleges.edu/disclosure

Programs:

• Medical Billing/Coding Specialist
• Professional Medical Assistant
• Pharmacy Technician

Campus Locations:

Stockton
Modesto
Redding
Clovis
Citrus Heights

WyoTech

Campus

The career-focused programs at WyoTech can give you the hands-on training you need to succeed. Program areas includemechanics, technician training, and technology.

Programs:

• Medical Assistant

Campus Locations:

Long Beach

Mayfield College

Campus

Give your career a boost with an education from Mayfield College. Our academic programs include medical front office, computer support technician, and general office management.

Programs:

• Medical Assistant

Campus Locations:

Cathedral City

California College San Diego

Campus

California College San Diego (CCSD) offers degree programs in Medical Specialties, Respiratory Therapy, Healthcare Administration, Business Management and Accounting, Computer Technology and Networking, Computer Programming, and Computer Science. Online programs are offered by our affiliated college, Stevens-Henager College, Salt Lake City/Murray.

Programs:

• Bachelor Science in Respiratory Therapy
• Associate of Science in Respiratory Therapy

Campus Locations:

San Diego
San Marcos

Summit College

Campus

Get your career started with an education from Summit College. We offer programs in legal office assisting, licensed vocational nursing, office administration, administrative and clinical medical assisting, medical billing and coding, dental assisting, and accounting assisting.

Programs:

• Dental Assistant
• Optical Dispensing Technician

Campus Locations:

Anaheim
Colton

Penn Foster Schools

Campus

Penn Foster offers affordable, self-paced career-focused distance education programs in fields like business, criminal justice, health services, technology, engineering, paralegal studies and more.

Programs:

• Dental Assistant
• Optician
• Pharmacy Technician

Campus Locations:

Scranton

Stratford Career Institute

Online

Stratford Career Institute can help you earn your diploma from home in as little as six months, thanks to their proven study methods.

Programs:

• Health Care Aide
• Dental Assistant
• Pharmacist's Assistant

Ashworth College

Campus

Get the hands-on training and skills it takes to succeed with Ashworth College, a respected, worldwide leader in distance education. Study at the times and places most convenient for you.

Programs:

• Medical Office Assisting

Campus Locations:

Norcross

Keiser University

Campus

Keiser University eCampus Online offers degrees in fields that are in high demand and provides job placement assistance to all its students and alumni.

Programs:

• Medical Assisting, AS

Campus Locations:

Fort Lauderdale