Tara's Medical Assistant Story
My friend Tara is very enthusiastic about her new job and duties as a medical assistant.
Tara works for a doctor who has a case that is going into court. She is confident about appearing in court to represent Dr. Roberts and discuss the contents of the medical record of the patient suing his surgeon. Dr. Roberts is not a party to the lawsuit but has a physician-patient relationship with the patient just the same. As a medical assistant, Tara knew the patient as well.
An offer existed, as well as the acceptance of that offer. The relationship was based on legal subject matter, and the physician and the patient had the legal capacity to enter into a contract.
Consideration existed as well, because the patient paid for services and the physician treated the patient. Both received something of value. Medical assistant friends, Sarah and Tammy, would like to accompany Tara to the court proceedings to watch and learn.
Even if a patient does not pay for treatment, a contract still exists. The physician may elect to terminate the physician-patient relationship if the patient does not pay, but the trust that the patient places in the physician can be considered a thing of value. Patients should understand their role in their treatment, and their responsibilities to the physician. Often this information is communicated in the patient policy brochure or may be verbally discussed with the patient.
Medical Assistant Programs
Physicians are not required to accept all patients; for instance, not all physicians deliver babies. Some physicians do not treat patients with worker’s compensation claims. The physician does have the right to see the types of patients he or she wishes and is competent to treat but should never discriminate on the basis of race, sex, or any other protected status. 
Please let us know your experiences as a Medical Assistant.
We always want to hear from our readers and medical assistant friends!
| 
