Medical Assisting In a Pandemic: Lessons Learned And Future Outlook

The COVID-19 pandemic imposed mixed challenges on the healthcare domain, to which all medical assistants contributed valuable contributions to help mitigate the situation. From new responsibilities to changing guidelines, medical assistants were on the front line to ensure patients received much-needed care. As the pandemic is put into retrospect, some valuable lessons must be learned and referenced for insight into the future of medical assisting.

Lessons Learned During the Pandemic

Adaptability Ensures Success

One of the big lessons learned through the pandemic was flexibility. Medical assistants quickly had to adapt and adjust to changes associated with enhanced infection control measures, telehealth services, and other pandemic-related demands on PPE. Changes like these require the medical assistant to be flexible and willing to learn new skills on the job.

The Importance of Communication

During the COVID-19 pandemic, clear communication was essential. Medical assistants needed to explain mask-wearing and social distancing to all the patients, including why such guidelines were in order. They also had to communicate well with other members of their teams so that they could coordinate patient care and update everyone on changes in conditions.

Good communication in healthcare came into sharp focus during the pandemic. It required clear, compassionate communication to alleviate anxiety among patients and put one another on the same page.

The Power of Teamwork

Teamwork was another great lesson brought along with the pandemic. Medical assistants had to be asked to work with doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals to manage the workload so the patients would receive comprehensive care. Working well with others was essential in conducting timely and precise patient care.

An  AAMA survey also showed that 80 percent of medical assistants reported that their teamwork skills improved during the pandemic because they depended on their coworkers unlike ever before. This theme of teamwork will carry into the future under healthcare.

Future Outlook Medical Assisting

Continued Emphasis on Infection Control

The pandemic made infection control practices a hot topic, and they will continue to be an area of concern. Medical assistants must stay current with the latest guidelines and best practices regarding preventing the spread of infection in healthcare. This may include ongoing training in using PPE, hand hygiene, and proper sterilization techniques.

Growth in Telehealth Services

Telehealth services have grown significantly amidst the pandemic and will likely continue to grow well into the future. Medical assistants will largely support this new development in telehealth, especially in terms of helping to schedule virtual appointments, setting up the technology involved, and ensuring that patients have what they need for successful virtual visits. This shift to telehealth could require MAs to be comfortable using technology and to be able to troubleshoot common problems.

Additional Responsibilities and Roles

As the pandemic has shown, medical assistants can assume a wide range of responsibilities, likely to mean increased roles in the future. It is also anticipated that many more clinical duties, such as administering vaccinations or completing minor procedures, will involve patient education and care coordination. According to a study, employment of medical assistants is projected to grow 18% from 2020 to 2030, much faster than the average for all occupations. Such growth in this profession emanates from the greater demand for healthcare services and significant boosts in medical assistants’ roles across various settings.

Conclusion

The COVID-19 pandemic indeed gave a glimpse into how vital this role is within the general realm of healthcare. The lessons learned in communication and teamwork during some of the most challenging times in human history will continue to shape the direction of medical assistance throughout the future. 
As the role of medical assistants continues to evolve, so does the opportunity for new roles and responsibilities, with ever more integration into the healthcare team. If you are one of those looking to be a medical assistant, Northwest Career College is the place for you. Our premier program takes your interest and arms you with the finest training in pursuit of a successful career as a medical assistant.