Sep 14, 2024  
2021-2022 Catalog 
    
2021-2022 Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

MA 117 - Medical Administrative Practice I


Credit Hours: 2

A study of medical office communications with a focus on written correspondence, telephone documentation, cultural diversity, verbal & non-verbal messages, therapeutic communication strategies, meeting agenda and minutes preparation, patient education resources, conference travel itineraries, and the processing of incoming and outgoing mail. A direct writing style for a specific purpose will be emphasized. Use of proper medical terminology, abbreviations, acronyms, eponyms, and sound-alike words will be integrated into sentence structure and proofreading. Use of library reference materials, internet and online databases will be used to conduct medical research on a disease prevention topic of interest. The impact of technologies on oral and written communication will be addressed.

Course Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

  • Apply non-verbal communication skills by reading/using body language and recognizing barriers to communication
  • Demonstrate active listening, reflection, restatement, and clarification therapeutic techniques to obtain a patient history
  • Write correspondence with the purpose to inform/persuade, promote goodwill, and/or educate the patient in a medical office environment
  • Create and format a community resources directory and a patient education pamphlet referencing library materials, and/or online databases to clarify medical terminology, abbreviations, eponyms, and acronyms used in medical correspondence
  • Apply professional telephone techniques used in a medical office including directing, prioritizing, and documenting calls
  • Participate in a mock staff meeting; prepare minutes and an agenda
  • Create a travel itinerary for a national medical conference
  • Learn techniques for processing incoming and outgoing mail in medical offices
  • Explain the purpose of routine maintenance of administrative equipment
  • Demonstrate behavior consistent with acceptable professional conduct standards such as appearance, quality of work, human relation skills, and reading skills
  • Effectively manage time to complete required assignments


Prerequisites: Completion of all developmental English courses.
F/S (N)

This course is required for the Medical Assisting AAS Degree and 100% of the Psychomotor and Affective competencies need to be passed.

Reminder: Students must obtain a minimum grade of C to pass the course.