Communication skills are important in every profession.
Written materials are tangible demonstrations of an office
staff's ability to communicate and conduct business. Others often evaluate the entire medical practice by
the work of one employee. When a letter, form, or document
is carelessly prepared and sent into the community,
the physician may be judged as careless. However, when
a letter or general business correspondence is constructed
in a neat, concise, and well-organized fashion, the physician
is often judged to be organized and competent. The
skill demonstrated in the creation of a simple business
letter reflects on the medical skills of the physician and
the practice. Professional image is conveyed in written
correspondence. Because written documents also serve as legal records,
all documents must be prepared with great care and attention
to detail. The administrative role of the medical
assistant includes the creation of documents that are consistently
accurate and clear. In this chapter you will learn how to write effectively.
You will develop skills in composing a business letter. You
will learn different styles and formats of writing and will
learn how to professionally manage all forms of correspondence
commonly used in an ambulatory care setting. |