Right attitude in a medical office setting - Essay Example

RUNNING HEAD: Attitude (Critical Thinking) Attitude (Critical Thinking) of This paper seeks to apply critical thinking in deciding the right attitude that should be observed in a medical office setting. The importance of a good attitude in the work place cannot be overemphasized. Since an “attitude is a state of mind or feeling regarding some matter” (Southard, 2008, p. 93), it must be a decision or a choice that will have to be made. One can therefore choose to have positive or negative and like in any work setting, the positive attitude must be the preferred choice to contribute to the business of providing care to the patients.

A positive attitude of employees can help a lot in the recovery of patients. Since attitude affects and influences other’s behavior, a responsible medical employee must behave positively to influence people in office including the patients and other co-workers. A medical assistant for example will be able to transmit positive attitude towards the patient if he or she accepts the patient as a unique individual who with rights of treatment with dignity and compassion in a non-judgmental manner (Southard, 2008).

The employee needs demonstrate empathy, interest and concern by telling patient or letting the latter feel that he or she is important to the employee (Southard, 2008). Such a caring attitude exerts a positive influence on the sick person’s attitude, behavior and response. The same could help in promoting the fast recovery of the patient. An employee’s good personal appearance can help the patients to perceive a positive attitude of the person and how the medical office values them. Every employee must also have a positive image to the patient.

This can be done by showing good health and good grooming present. A sluggish employee or one lacking in good hygiene may even offend patients as they could be very irritable and sensitive to odors sometimes (Southard, 2008). Employees must observe courtesy and diplomacy. In interacting with variety of personalities in a diversity of situations, the employees must be able to maintain a positive professional attitude notwithstanding of how tough the encounters with patients and their family members may be (Southard, 2008).

They must be sensitive to the needs and feelings of people in the medical office. Physicians must be addressed by their title and last names while inside the office. Courtesy with co-workers is also expected as in not borrowing supplies without permission and entering an office without knocking the door. Employees must be diplomatic as they handle people and situations with tact the genuine concern during difficult situations (Southard, 2008). The choice of the right attitude in a medical officer setting becomes critical thinking if one takes responsibility for it including its consequences.

Reference: Southard, L. (2008).Lippincott Williams & Wilkins' Administrative Medical Assisting Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, pp. 93-95