Chapter One: The Medical Assistant, Health Care Team, and Medical Environment Flashcards
accreditation
a process in which an educational institution or program establishes credibility or legitimacy by complying with predetermined standards
Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES)
an accrediting body that provides programmatic accreditation for medical assisting and other health care programs
acupuncture
involves the insertion of needles at various points in the body to treat disease or relieve pain
administrative skills
skills that help to manage the business affairs of a medical practice and include two categories - administrative procedures and practice finances
advocate
one who assists the patient or acts on the patients behalf
American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC)
an organization that promotes professionalism and encourages and supports education, networking, and certification in the medical billing and coding areas
American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA)
a professional organization for medical assistants that certifies medical assistants and provides continuing education opportunities
American Medical Technologists (AMT)
a professional organization that provides credentialing opportunities for medical assistants and continuing education opportunities
ayurvedic medicine
traditional healing system of India that addresses mental and spiritual well-being and physical health. Ayurveda identifies three types of energies that are present in all things: vata, pitta, and kapha, and believes that imbalances in any of these areas can cause disease
biofeedback
a method that enables a person, usually with the help of electronic equipment, to learn to control otherwise involuntary bodily functions
Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA)
credential given by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) after eligible candidates pass the certification exam
Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA)
credential given by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) after eligible candidates pass the certification exam
Certified Medical Assistant, CMA (AAMA)
the credential given by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) to eligible candidates that pass the CMA (AAMA) examination
clinical skills
these are skills that are an extension of the provider’s responsibilities and can be divided into fundamental practices, diagnostic procedures, and patient care
Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)
an accrediting body that provides programmatic accreditation for medical assisting and other health care programs
complementary alternative medicine (CAM)
treatments used in addition to traditional care of therapies
doctors of osteopathic medicine (DOs)
a doctor licensed by the state to practice medicine. These practitioners place special emphasis on the body’s musculoskeletal and nervous systems, preventive medicine, holistic patient care, and patient education
doctors of medicine (MDs)
an individual who has met all the requirements in the state to become licensed as a medical doctor
doctorates
persons who hold doctoral degrees have attained advanced knowledge through higher education in disciplines such as nursing, mathematics, education, chemistry, philosophy, and so on and have the right to be addressed as doctor
epidemics
a disease affecting large numbers of individuals in a population
general skills
the skills that are necessary regardless of whether one is working in a clinical or administrative capacity. They include legal functions, communication skills, the ability to deliver education, and operational functions
generalists
medical assistants work as a generalists when they perform both clinical and administrative duties in addition to general responsibilities
Hippocratic oath
an oath historically taken by new physicians, requiring them to swear to uphold specific ethical standards. It is considered a rite of passage for practitioners of medicine in many countries. A new modernized version is mostly used nowadays.
homeopathy
a 200-year-old system of medicine based on the Law of Similars. This means that if a dose of a substance can cause a symptom, that same substance in miniscule amounts can cure the symptom
hospitalist
works with patients admitted to the hospital. These individuals work in many different departments and reduce the load of hospital visits for the primary care provider and specialist
magnet therapy
a therapy that involves placing small magnets close to the skin in order to correct an imbalance
medical assistant
an integral member of the health care delivery team, qualified by education and experience to work in the administrative office, the examining room, and the physician office laboratory
Medical billers
creates a billing statement listing all charges the patient has incurred for services rendered and sends the bill to the patient, insurance company, or attorney
Medical coders
uses an alphanumeric coding system for all diagnoses and all procedures in a manner that results in the maximum reimbursement for the provider and in fewer fees billed to the patient
Medical Office Managers
supervises members of the medical office staff, coordinates schedules, performs human resource functions, and oversees the daily operations of the office
midlevel practitioners
a health care provider such as a nurse practitioner or physician’s assistant. They are able to examine patients, order diagnostic tests, and prescribe certain types of medications. Activities for midlevel practitioners are usually directed and/or dictated by a supervising physician
Multi-provider clinics
group practice, which consists of three or more physicians who share a facility for the purpose of practicing medicine
National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT)
a national certifying organization that certifies medical assistants and other health care professionals after successful completion of a certification exam
National Certified Medical Assistant (NCMA)
the credential given by the National Center for Competency Testing to successful candidates that pass the NCMA exam
National Certified Medical Office Assistant (NCMOA)
the credential given by the National Center for Competency Testing to successful candidates that pass the NCMOA exam
National Healthcareer Association (NHA)
NHA provides products and services to health care professionals, including continuing education, program development, career and networking services, as well as 10 certification exams for several allied health care area, including Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) and Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA)
naturopathy
a multidisciplinary approach to health care based on the belief that the body has power to heal itself. Treatment is based on assessment of the correct diet, rest, relaxation, exercise, fresh air, clean water, and sunlight the patient is receiving
nurse anesthetist
an RN that is certified to administer anesthesia
nurse midwife
a professional RN who has had extensive training and experience in labor and delivery
nurse practitioners (NPs)
a midlevel practitioner that is able to examine patients, order diagnostic tests, and prescribe certain types of medications. Usually supervised by a physician but may work independently in some states
partnership
two or more physicians that have a legal agreement to share in the total business operation of the practice
Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH)
a team-based model of care led by a personal physician to provides continuous and coordinated care throughout a patient’s lifetime to maximize health outcomes
patient navigator
explaining insurance policy information, financial information, taking complaints from patients and helping patients understand their medical rights
Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act
a bill passed in 2010 intended to expand access to health insurance, provide additional consumer protections, and reduce costs of health care
phlebotomists
health care workers who specialize in obtaining blood samples
physician assistant (PAs)
midlevel practitioners who are able to examine patients, order diagnostic tests; and prescribe certain types of medications. usually supervised by a physician
placebo effect
refers to the fact that some people respond favorably to a known ineffective treatment because they believe it is working
provider
(1) the person that oversees the patient’s health care; often a physician, physician’s assistant, or nurse practitioner.
(2) an individual licensed to examine, diagnose, and prescribe treatment to patients seeking assistance
reciprocity
a physician who has been licensed in one state and wishes to move to another state may be granted a license by reciprocity if it is determined that the original licensure requirements are equal to or more stringent than the requirements of the new state
Registered Medical Assistant, RMA (AMT)
the credential the American Medical Technologists (AMT) issues to eligible candidates who successfully pass the RMA examination
revocation
temporary or permanent suspension of a license
scope of practice
principles of self-boundaries of the profession
scribe
a person who documents by hand or enters data into the EHR as a profession and helps providers keep track of records
solo practice
when an individual provider/physician makes all the decisions for the practice
tact
having the ability to perceive a situation and knowing the right thing to say or do. Tact is especially difficult and important when dealing with ill people
Urgent care centers
ambulatory care centers that take care of patients with acute illness or injury and those with minor emergencies. Used quite often when patients can’t get in to see their own provider
