Patients With Sexually Transmitted Infections

Assisting patients with Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) is a very delicate and tedious job. Medical Assistants must be educated on the different types of STIs, and knowledgeable on how to address the patient, in order to gain trust and a good relationship with the patient. By having this knowledge you, the Medical Assistant, will have a much smoother and productive visit with the patient, meanwhile, this usually tends to make the patient feel more at ease, which in turn helps the patient to be honest, now that you’ve gained trust, and will answer your questions more openly. The following essay will give a better understanding of how to build this trust and how to respond to a patient with an STI.Patients With Sexually Transmitted Infections

Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) are relatively common in young people, however, they will affect anyone of any age the same, if a person is not safe and careful when engaging in sexual activity or even substance abuse. In order to properly educate a patient about STIs, a medical assistant should be very well educated and know all the types of STIs, as well as how to prevent them. Being that, usually the Medical assistant is the first face the patient encounter in the exam room, the MA should introduce themselves with a welcoming smile, as well as verify the patient’s name and date of birth in order to be sure the chart coincides with the patient. MA’s should always remember to be non-judgemental and ask the appropriate questions without risk of offending the patient. Beginning with simple, open ended questions will comfort the patient and help the MA build trust with the patient. Most importantly, make very clear to the patient that anything spoken at that moment is confidential and that he is in a safe place, where all that you want is to treat and find the best solution to help symptoms and in most cases cure him. Many times patients with STI symptoms and signs are not likely to open up verbally and honestly answer questions. Some they may not want to speak to the MA at all. This is when your verbal communication skills come in quite handy. Be honest with the patient, as well as empathetic to his situation.

Eye contact is key because the patient will feel heard and be more apt to engage in this difficult conversation. MA’s need to record the patient’s general history as well as social history in order for the physician to accurately diagnose the patient. When asking questions, an MA needs to be very careful in choosing words and how to address this subject without using offensive terms, but also be able to clearly inform the patient what is the next step. The patient should be completely informed on his specific STI, and also how to prevent this from reoccurring or controlled properly, this depends on the STI the patient has.Patients With Sexually Transmitted Infections