As a medical assistant, it is your job to prepare the patient and the patient's chart before the physician enters the examination room to examine the patient. You are the first contact with the patient in the examination room. How you conduct yourself during those first few moments can make a major difference in the patient's attitude. The patient must cooperate fully to provide the information the physician needs to diagnose and treat the patient successfully. Conducting the patient interview and recording the necessary medical history are essential to the practitioner's examination process.