As a medical assistant, you will play a key role in a patient's visit to the physician's office. Because you will begin the examination by interviewing the patient, you will set the tone of the visit. Keep in mind that some patients may be nervous or uncomfortable. It is important to make them feel at ease. Using interviewing skills effectively will help make the interview productive as well as comfortable for the patient. Taking a thorough history and using proper documentation methods will also allow you to ensure that patient records are complete and accurate. They will also help the practitioner to diagnose and treat the patient successfully.