From the Guidelines
In a typical patient visit, medical assistants, medical students, and physicians have distinct responsibilities, with medical assistants handling initial intake and basic procedures, medical students conducting thorough histories and physical examinations, and physicians ultimately responsible for medical decision-making and oversight. The medical assistant's role typically includes taking vital signs, documenting the chief complaint, reviewing medications, and preparing the patient for examination 1. They may also perform basic procedures like vaccinations or blood draws. Medical students, on the other hand, conduct a more thorough history and physical examination, formulating an initial assessment and plan which they present to the supervising physician 2. They may also assist with procedures and provide patient education. Physicians are ultimately responsible for the entire visit, reviewing the information gathered, conducting focused examinations, making definitive diagnoses, creating treatment plans, prescribing medications, ordering tests, and communicating complex information to patients 1. This tiered approach allows for comprehensive care while maximizing efficiency, with the physician focusing on medical decision-making while assistants and students handle appropriate preliminary and supportive tasks. The physician maintains oversight and responsibility for all aspects of care, ensuring quality while allowing team members to work within their scope of practice. Some key principles guiding the organization and function of clinical care teams include:
- Assignment of specific clinical and coordination responsibilities for a patient's care within a collaborative and multidisciplinary clinical care team should be based on what is in that patient's best interest 1
- Dynamic teams must have the flexibility to determine the roles and responsibilities expected of them based on shared goals and needs of the patient 2
- Clinicians within a clinical care team should be permitted to practice to the full extent of their training, skills, and experience and within the limitations of their professional licenses as determined by state licensure and demonstrated competencies 1.
From the Research
Components of a Patient's Visit
The provided studies do not directly address the components of a patient's visit covered by a medical assistant, medical student, and physician. However, we can break down the general responsibilities of each role:
- Medical Assistant:
- Taking vital signs and medical history
- Preparing patients for exams and procedures
- Assisting with administrative tasks
- Providing patient education and support
- Medical Student:
- Conducting patient interviews and physical exams under supervision
- Developing and presenting patient cases to healthcare teams
- Participating in rounds and discussions about patient care
- Learning and applying medical knowledge and skills
- Physician:
- Diagnosing and treating medical conditions
- Ordering and interpreting diagnostic tests
- Developing and implementing treatment plans
- Providing patient education and counseling
Limitations of the Provided Studies
The studies provided focus on antimicrobial therapies, antibiotic prescription patterns, and the management of specific medical conditions, such as Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia and uncomplicated urinary tract infections 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. They do not provide information on the specific roles and responsibilities of medical assistants, medical students, and physicians during a patient's visit.