Questions Medical Assistants Ask Patients

This blog post will answer some of the questions that Medical assistants ask patients. By the end of this post, you will know how to better communicate with your medical assistant

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Questions about medical history

When you arrive for your appointment, the medical assistant will likely ask you several questions about your medical history. This information helps the provider understand your overall health and any risk factors you may have for certain conditions. Be prepared to answer questions about:

-Chronic conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease, arthritis or cancer
-Infectious diseases, such as hepatitis or HIV
–mental health conditions, such as depression or anxiety
-Allergies to medication or other substances
-Surgeries or other procedures you have had
-Previous hospitalizations

Questions about current medications

Asking patients about what medications they are currently taking is an important part of any medical assistant’s job. This information helps the medical assistant understand the patient’s overall health status and identify any potential drug interactions.

There are a few key questions that medical assistants should ask patients about their medications:

-What medications are you currently taking?
-How frequently do you take each medication?
-What is the dosage of each medication?
-Have you noticed any changes in your health since starting these medications?
-Do you have any allergies or sensitivities to medications?
Asking these questions will help the medical assistant get a comprehensive overview of the patient’s medication history and their current health status. This information can be vital in providing the best possible care to the patient.

Questions about current symptoms

As a medical assistant, you will be responsible for asking patients about their current symptoms. This information will help the doctor determine what is wrong and how to treat it. Here are some common questions that you may ask:

-What are your current symptoms?
-When did these symptoms begin?
-How long have you had these symptoms?
-Do these symptoms come and go, or are they constant?
-What makes the symptoms better or worse?
-How severe are the symptoms?

Questions about lifestyle choices

· Do you smoke? If so, how many cigarettes a day?
· Have you ever smoked? If so, when did you quit?
· Do you drink alcohol? If so, how many drinks a week?
· What type of work do you do?
· Do you have any hobbies that involve physical activity (such as running, biking, or playing sports)?

Questions about family medical history

Questions about family medical history are important for medical assistants to ask patients in order to provide the best possible care. Family medical history can provide valuable information about a patient’s risk for certain diseases and conditions. It can also help medical assistants understand a patient’s overall health status and make treatment recommendations.

Some common questions medical assistants ask patients about their family medical history include:
-Do you have any family members with chronic illnesses or conditions?
-Do you have any family members with allergies?
-Do you have any family members with mental health conditions?
-Do you have any family members who have had cancer?
-Do you have any family members who have had heart disease?
-Do you have any family members who have had strokes?

Questions about recent hospitalizations or surgeries

In order to gain a better understanding of your medical history and current health, your medical assistant may ask you about any recent hospitalizations or surgeries. They may also ask about your current medications, any allergies you have, and your family medical history. Answering these questions truthfully and completely will help your medical assistant provide you with the best possible care.

Questions about allergies

Questions about allergies
-Do you have any allergies?
-Do you have any drug allergies?
-Do you have any food allergies?
-Do you have any environmental allergies?

Questions about Home Medical care

Questions Medical Assistants Ask Patients

1. What Home Medical Care do you currently receive?
2. Who provides this care for you?
3. How often do you see your doctor?
4. Have you been to the hospital recently? If so, why?
5. Do you have any upcoming medical appointments?
6. Do you have any medical conditions that require special attention?
7. Are you taking any medications? If so, what are they for?
8. Do you have any allergies to medications or other substances?
9. What over-the-counter medications do you take regularly?

Questions about work or school

How long have you been working/attending school?
Do you like your work/school?
What is your job/position?
What does your job/course of study entail?
Have you ever been fired from a job?

Questions about insurance

In order to get started, medical assistants will need to know what type of insurance the patient has. This is important because it will affect what types of tests and procedures the patient will be able to have covered. The patient’s insurance information will also be used to determine how much the patient will be responsible for paying out of pocket.

Some questions medical assistants may ask about insurance include:
-What type of insurance do you have?
-Do you have coverage for pre-existing conditions?
-Do you have coverage for vision or dental?
-Do you have a copayment or deductible?
-When does your coverage start and end?