Medical Secretary Professional Conduct

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Questions and Answers

What is an effect of having a doctor and assistant who are married or related in the office?

It fosters trust among patients.

It eliminates the need for formal titles.

It enhances the professionalism of the office.

It can cause gossip and jealousies. (correct)

How should a doctor be referred to in a professional setting?

By his full title and name. (correct)

By his first name.

As 'Doctor'.

By his last name only.

What is a sign of maturity for a medical secretary?

Defending her previous methods.

Recognizing one's limitations. (correct)

Showing emotional reactions to feedback.

Refusing to accept criticism.

What is the implication of professional secrecy for a doctor's assistant?

She must keep all personal information confidential. Signup and view all the answers

What is an inappropriate reaction for a medical secretary upon receiving criticism?

Demonstrating tears or sulks. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following enhances the professional atmosphere in a medical office?

Using the doctor's name and title Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of a medical secretary's role is emphasized in maintaining a professional demeanor?

Playing the role of a hostess. Signup and view all the answers

What could happen to a doctor if they divulge patient information without authorization?

They could be prosecuted under the law. Signup and view all the answers

What should a medical secretary prioritize during office hours?

Professionalism and appropriateness Signup and view all the answers

Which habit is considered unbecoming for a medical secretary?

Chewing gum Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important for a medical secretary to minimize personal phone calls?

To keep the phone line open for emergencies Signup and view all the answers

What impression does smoking in the office create?

An unprofessional impression Signup and view all the answers

What qualities should a medical secretary exhibit when interacting with patients?

Warmth, interest, and understanding Signup and view all the answers

What should a secretary avoid doing during office hours to maintain professionalism?

Using the telephone for personal calls Signup and view all the answers

What might lead a secretary to have irregular hours?

Patient emergencies and doctor's schedule changes Signup and view all the answers

Which action would be considered unprofessional for a medical secretary?

Smoking in the waiting area Signup and view all the answers

What should a secretary never disclose about a patient?

Patient's personal history Signup and view all the answers

If a patient wants more information about their condition, what should they do?

Consult with the doctor directly Signup and view all the answers

Why might a doctor choose not to fully inform a patient about their condition?

To prevent unnecessary anxiety Signup and view all the answers

What is important for a secretary to do if friends or family inquire about a patient's condition?

Refuse to give information tactfully Signup and view all the answers

How should medical documents be handled to ensure privacy?

They should be stored in a locked filing cabinet Signup and view all the answers

What might happen if a patient is fully informed about their diagnosis?

They could interfere with their treatment Signup and view all the answers

Why is confidentiality in a medical setting important?

To protect patient trust and privacy Signup and view all the answers

What might a patient mistakenly do if they are informed about their serious condition?

Research home remedies Signup and view all the answers

What should be avoided during telephone calls to patients in a shared space?

Mentioning the name of the caller Signup and view all the answers

Why is discretion particularly important in certain medical offices?

Due to the sensitive nature of certain health conditions Signup and view all the answers

What is suggested about the medical secretary's handling of patient names?

She should forget them after office hours Signup and view all the answers

What is a psychological advantage of a medical secretary wearing a uniform?

It instills confidence in patients Signup and view all the answers

What should never be shared, according to confidentiality protocols?

Patient information, even without names Signup and view all the answers

In what scenario might a patient be especially concerned about privacy?

When consulting for a chronic illness Signup and view all the answers

What is one way a medical secretary can maintain confidentiality outside the office?

By avoiding any conversation about patients Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a responsibility of a medical secretary regarding patient interactions?

Ensuring patient identities remain confidential Signup and view all the answers

What benefit does a medical secretary primarily enjoy in terms of financial compensation?

Salary among the top bracket for secretaries Signup and view all the answers

What is a requirement under the Keogh Act for a doctor to make tax-exempt contributions to a retirement fund?

The doctor must cover full-time employees who have been with him for three years Signup and view all the answers

What significant historical figure is known as the 'Father of Medicine'?

Hippocrates Signup and view all the answers

Which principle is NOT part of the Hippocratic Oath?

To consider monetary gain as a priority Signup and view all the answers

What type of guidelines does the field of medicine adhere to?

A code of ethics established by its practitioners Signup and view all the answers

What was a significant impact of the Hippocratic Oath on medicine?

It established a framework for ethical medical practice. Signup and view all the answers

Under what condition can a doctor contribute to an employee's pension fund if they have been employed for less than three years?

If the doctor treats all employees equally Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the main duties of the Executive Secretary of the American Association of Medical Assistants?

To provide information on membership and examination applications Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Conduct

Medical secretaries must be mindful of professional conduct and etiquette, balancing sociability with professionalism and businesslike demeanor.
Smoking should be avoided during office hours, except for brief periods in the rest room.
Chewing gum is an unprofessional habit and should be avoided.
Personal phone calls should be kept to a minimum and should not interfere with the practice's urgent needs.

Serenity

Office hours in a medical practice are often irregular due to the nature of patient needs, emergencies, and the doctor's varying schedule.
The secretary should be prepared for potential delays and maintain composure despite personal commitments.

Warmth and Understanding

It is crucial for medical secretaries to display warmth, interest, consideration, and understanding towards patients.
These qualities can be developed with practice and effort.

Office Relationships

Doctor-secretary personal relationships should not be seen as interfering with professional duties.
Addressing the doctor by his full name and title, such as "Dr. Taylor," is preferred over informal terms like "Doctor."

Accepting Criticism

The medical secretary, like any other worker, must be able to accept criticism.
Doctors may have specific preferences, and the assistant should learn and adapt to their methods.
Showing humility and recognizing limitations is essential for professional growth.

Professional Secrecy

Confidentiality is paramount in the medical field, both legally and ethically.
Divulging patient information without authorization is a serious offense.
The medical secretary must uphold the code of medical ethics and maintain secrecy about all patient and doctor matters.
No details regarding patients' illness, personal history, or family matters should be disclosed.
The secretary should not provide patient diagnoses or prognosis, as it is the doctor's responsibility.
Enquiries from patients or their relatives about other patients should be politely but firmly refused.
Confidentiality extends to all office documents, which need to be securely stored and protected from unauthorized viewing.
Phone calls with patient information should not be made in the presence of other patients.
Patient names should be mentioned sparingly, especially in sensitive areas like mental health, venereal diseases, or cancer.
The secretary should strive to forget all patient names when leaving the office and avoid discussing office matters outside of work.

Appearance

Many medical offices require secretaries to wear white uniforms.
This uniform conveys professionalism and instills patient confidence.

Financial Benefits

Medical secretaries are often well-compensated and may be eligible for pension benefits.
The Keogh Act allows doctors to contribute to retirement funds for employees, including secretaries, under certain conditions.

Medical Ethics

Every profession has a code of conduct.
Medicine is perhaps the oldest profession to have developed formalized ethical rules.

The Hippocratic Oath

The Hippocratic Oath is a set of principles governing the physician’s conduct towards patients and the public.
While the oath's authorship is debated, it reflects the ideals of Hippocrates, known as the "Father of Medicine".
The oath calls for the physician to share knowledge and treat patients with integrity and compassion.

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Description

This quiz covers essential guidelines for medical secretaries regarding professional conduct, etiquette, and office relationships. It emphasizes the importance of maintaining a balance between warmth and professionalism while effectively managing communication and personal commitments in a medical practice.