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Online Education for Medical AssistantsCopyright © 2008 Dr. Mark StoutDistance education is a field of education that focuses on the use of instructional systems designed to deliver education to students who are not physically on site of a school campus. Rather than attending courses in person, teachers and students may communicate at times of their own choosing by exchanging printed, electronic media or through technology that allows them to communicate in real time. In the past medical assistants and medical office staff were usually trained on the job with informal instruction. However with the advent of internet technology medical assistant and office staff classes can be taken online. St. Augustine School of Medical Assistants is a good example of an educational service using these new innovative technologies to deliver online instruction to medical assistants and medical office staff. Medical assistants usually perform administrative and clinical tasks to keep the offices of physicians, podiatrists, chiropractors, and other health practitioners running smoothly. They should not be confused with physician assistants, who examine, diagnose, and treat patients under the direct supervision of a physician. The duties of medical assistants vary from office to office, depending on the location and size of the practice and the practitioner’s specialty. Employment for medical assistants is projected to grow much faster than average, ranking medical assistants among the fastest growing occupations over the 2006-16 decade. Job opportunities should be excellent, particularly for those with formal training or experience, and certification. Medical assistants may advance to other occupations through experience or additional training. For example, some may go on to teach medical assisting, and others pursue additional education to become nurses or other health care workers. Administrative medical assistants may advance to office manager, or qualify for a variety of administrative support occupations. According to the U.S. Department of Education (National Forum on Education Statistics) virtual education is now part of the planning agenda of most organizations concerned with education and training. The quality of distance learning has greatly improved in the past few years, as both students and educators have become more comfortable with the technology, and as stories of best practices have been shared and duplicated. Recent research has shown that the most significant factor helping students to succeed in online classes has been their ability to manage time. Distance learning features a number of advantages such: as accessibility for those living away from the training center, no waste of time or other resources in transport, and flexibility to study in any convenient location with an Internet connection. Self-paced online learning also allows students to quickly browse materials you have already mastered, and concentrate time and effort in areas containing new information. They can study materials at a personal speed and intensity, without having to wait for slower pace of the average classroom. Online classes such as the medical assistant program offer at www.medassistant.org provide more opportunities to study the most current material available and provide flexibility for those with irregular work schedules. Also providing accessibility for those with restricted mobility, such as the handicapped and accessibility for those with family responsibilities (e.g., parents with young children at home). If you are interested in learning more about online medical assistant classes you may wish to consider a program such as that offered by St. Augustine School of Medical Assistants and other online distance education providers. About The Author:
*** Digital Reprint Rights *** *** Author Notification *** We ask that you notify the author of publication of his or her work. Dr. Mark Stout can be reached at: drstout@medassistant.org *** Print Publication Reprint Rights *** If you desire to publish this article in a PRINT publication, you must contact the author directly for Print Permission at: drstout@medassistant.org
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