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)

Train To Become A Medical Assistant

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Explore accredited Medical Assisting schools and request additional information about requirements, tuition, financial aid, and start dates directly from schools offering programs that match your interests:
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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

Independence University

Campus

You can advance your career 24/7 with online education at Independence University, your proven partner with over 30 years of experience in delivering quality distance education right to our students. Our programs are designed to allow you to continue working and earning as you pursue your online degree.

From associate's and bachelor's to master's degrees in health education and business, with Independence University you can achieve greater success through distance learning programs that suit your busy schedule, with experienced, student-oriented staff to assist you throughout your distance education.

Programs:

• AS - Occupational Studies in Medical Specialties
• BS - Completion in Respiratory Care with Clinical Practice Concentration
• BS - Completion in Respiratory Care with Management Concentration

Campus Locations:

Salt Lake City

Westwood College

Campus

Westwood College is an institution of higher learning dedicated to providing quality, career-focused undergraduate and graduate programs that prepare students with the knowledge, skills, and credentials needed to launch, enhance, or change careers. The College offers broad access to education and serves a diverse, multicultural body of students in an environment that promotes pride, respect, and teamwork. The College's programs are designed to empower students to pursue their individual career goals.

Programs:

• Diploma - Medical Assisting
• Associate Degree - Medical Assisting
• Associate Degree - Medical Assisting I

Campus Locations:

Denver
Torrance
Annandale
Calumet City
Arlington
Chicago
Atlanta
Woodridge
Los Angeles

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:

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

Institute of Business & Medical Careers

Campus

Get your career started at Institute of Business & Medical Careers. We offer certificate and degree programs in business, health care, legal, and massage. Finish your education in 19 months or less!

Programs:

• Medical Assistant
• Pharmacy Technician

Campus Locations:

Greeley
Longmont
Cheyenne
Fort Collins

Health Training Center

Campus

Advance your career with Health Training Center. We offer accelerated certificate programs for careers in the medical field, including medical assisting, medical billing and coding, pharmacy technician, EKG technician, phlebotomy, and more.

Programs:

• Medical Assistant
• New! CNA Upgrade to Patient Care Technician (PCT)
• Pharmacy Technician

Campus Locations:

North Attleboro
Chelmsford
Framingham
Lynn
Worcester
Stoughton
Cambridge

Keiser University Campus

Campus

Keiser University offers accredited degree programs in today's high-demand careers: Healthcare, Technology, Paralegal, Business, Nursing and Legal Studies.

Programs:

• Medical Assisting, AS
• Occupational Therapy Assistant, AS
• Respiratory Therapy, AS

Campus Locations:

Fort Myers
Lakeland
Sarasota
Orlando
Hollywood
Port Saint Lucie
Tampa
West Palm Beach
Daytona Beach
Melbourne
Fort Lauderdale
Tallahassee
Jacksonville
Miami

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: Patient Care Technician
• Diploma: Medical Assistant
• Diploma: Pharmacy Technician

Campus Locations:

Beaumont
Midland
Phoenix
Indianapolis
Arlington
Bakersfield
Charlotte
Dayton
San Antonio
Laredo
Columbus
Corpus Christi
Las Vegas
Mcallen
Stockton
Fort Worth
Lubbock
Clovis
El Paso

Fortis Institute

Campus

Looking to prepare for your dream career? Fortis Institute can give you the skills and training you need to succeed in the fast-growing and high-demand healthcare field. * Programs vary by location * Please contact each individual campus for accreditation information * Fortis Institute - Indianapolis advertising code is AC-0163.

Programs:

• Medical Assistant
• Medical Assisting

Campus Locations:

Scranton
Winter Park
Lawrence Township
Salt Lake City
Windsor Mill
Ravenna
Birmingham
Largo
Baton Rouge
Dothan
Mulberry
Columbia
Indianapolis
Smyrna
Towson
Mobile
Phoenix
Dayton
Montgomery
Wayne
Hyattsville
Cookeville
Westerville
Houston
Cincinnati
Richmond
Houston
Cuyahoga Falls
Orange Park
Foley
Nashville
Grand Prairie
Kingston
Erie
Miami
Tampa
Pensacola

American Career Institute

Campus

There's no better time than right now to become a medical professional, and American Career Institute can help launch your career. Free job placement assistance for graduates.

Programs:

• Medical Assisting
• Dental Assisting

Campus Locations:

Columbia
Silver Spring
Framingham
Springfield
Braintree
Cambridge
Woburn

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:

• Associate of Applied Science - Medical Assisting
• Diploma - Medical Assisting
• Diploma - Pharmacy Technician

Campus Locations:

Newport News
Los Angeles
Willowbrook
Alhambra
Earth City
LA Puente
Renton
Salt Lake City
Santa Ana
Henderson
Springfield
Vancouver
Hayward
Ontario
Milwaukee
Mc Lean
Colorado Springs
Reseda
Chesapeake
Denver
San Jose
Torrance
Kansas City
Anaheim
Tacoma
Gardena
Everett
Portland
Arlington
Aurora
Fort Worth
San Bernardino
Atlanta
Dallas
Seattle
Bedford Park
Bremerton
San Francisco
Melrose Park

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
• Pharmacy Technician
• Optical Dispensing

Campus Locations:

Los Angeles
Anaheim
Ontario

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:

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

Campus Locations:

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

Dover Business College

Campus

Launch a business, healthcare, or technology career with Dover Business College. Train with the most current technology programs at one of our two (Dover and Paramus, New Jersey) campuses.

Programs:

• Medical Assistant
• Patient Care Technician

Campus Locations:

Clifton
Dover

Northwestern College

Campus

Training for a successful future is easier than you may think! Northwestern College offers flexible career training to fit your busy schedule. Earning your certificate or degree will put you in a position to increase your earning potential and advance into the career you've always wanted!

Programs:

• Medical Assisting

Campus Locations:

Bridgeview
Naperville
Chicago