What components of a patient's visit do a medical assistant (MA), medical student (MS), and physician (MD) respectively cover?

Medical Advisory BoardAll articles are reviewed for accuracy by our Medical Advisory Board
Article Review Status
Submitted
Under Review
Approved

Last updated: May 10, 2025 • View editorial policy

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.

Related Questions

What is the appropriate treatment for a 48-year-old patient with a hand skin infection caused by Methicillin (Oxacillin) Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Beta Hemolytic Streptococcus Group G, who has been previously treated with Bactrim (Sulfamethoxazole/Trimethoprim), Keflex (Cephalexin), and Clindamycin?
What is the treatment for a 55-year-old male with a computed tomography (CT) scan of the face showing a 3mm periosteal abscess with cellulitis?
What is the next step in managing a 72-year-old man with a prosthetic joint infection due to Staphylococcus aureus, susceptible to all drugs except penicillin, after one-stage revision of the left knee?
What is the best empiric antibiotic therapy for a 21-month-old girl with suspected epiglottitis (inflammation of the epiglottis), presenting with dysphagia (difficulty swallowing), tachypnea (rapid breathing), tachycardia (rapid heart rate), fever, stridor, and impending respiratory failure?
What is the appropriate management for a 17-year-old male presenting with a 1 cm flap laceration over the palmar surface of the proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint of his left third finger, sustained 23 hours prior, with continued oozing, and whose Tetanus (tetanus toxoid) status was updated today?
What is the diagnosis for a 91-year-old female with a history of arrhythmia (atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter), severe multifocal white matter disease, diffuse brain volume loss, and complete opacification of the left maxillary sinus, presenting with recurrent dizziness, syncope, leg weakness, and recent cognitive decline, including memory loss and confusion?
What is the differential diagnosis for a 5-year-old patient presenting with intermittent fevers, moderate to mild lethargy, and malaise, with a history of influenza B (Influenza B virus) with superimposed pneumonia treated with Tamiflu (oseltamivir) and azithromycin, and a recent upper respiratory viral infection, now experiencing right hip pain and abnormal bloodwork results including leukopenia (white blood cell count of 6.7), mild anemia (hemoglobin 11.1), and thrombocytopenia is not present but mild anisocytosis may be present (RBC’s 4.02) and mild microcytic hypochromic anemia (Hct 33 is low but the value provided is 13 which may indicate a severe normocytic normochromic anemia)?
What are the best treatments for Post-Acute COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease 2019) Syndrome-related fatigue?
Does a patient with a history of breast cancer automatically qualify as high risk after treatment, and are yearly mammograms (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) alternating with yearly Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) recommended?
What is the differential diagnosis for a 5-year-old patient presenting with intermittent fevers, moderate to mild lethargy, and malaise, with a history of influenza B (Influenza B virus) with superimposed pneumonia treated with Tamiflu (oseltamivir) and azithromycin, and a recent upper respiratory viral infection, now experiencing right hip pain, with laboratory results showing a normal white blood cell count, mild anemia, and normal inflammatory markers?
What is the differential diagnosis for a 5-year-old patient presenting with intermittent low-grade fevers, moderate to mild lethargy, and malaise, with a history of influenza B (Influenza B virus) with superimposed pneumonia treated with Tamiflu (oseltamivir) and azithromycin, and a recent upper respiratory viral infection, now experiencing right hip pain and abnormal laboratory results including mild anemia (hemoglobin 11.1), normal white blood cell count, and low erythrocyte sedimentation rate?

Professional Medical Disclaimer

This information is intended for healthcare professionals. Any medical decision-making should rely on clinical judgment and independently verified information. The content provided herein does not replace professional discretion and should be considered supplementary to established clinical guidelines. Healthcare providers should verify all information against primary literature and current practice standards before application in patient care. Dr.Oracle assumes no liability for clinical decisions based on this content.