Health Sciences
Program Spotlight
Baker Medical Center: The mock physician's office at Baker College of Jackson
Winter 2007Our new “Baker Medical Center” was made possible through monies awarded to us by the Jewel Grant. The intention of our mock physician’s office is to simulate, as closely as possible, the workings of a physician’s office so that the students can practice their medical administrative skills in a more realistic setting. Through the use of computers with Medical Management software, three six-line telephones, fax and copy machines as well as a medical filing system, students obtain close to real life experiences. The students practice HIPPA regulations, interviewing mock patients, obtaining all pertinent information, maintaining medical charting and filing and other office duties while maintaining a professional medical office demeanor. The students’ hands-on training utilizes their skills while the remainder of the class participates as their patients and customers. This practice allows them to critique the “office staff” and then take their turn at practicing their own skills. These skills are needed for accreditation of our program, as well as the confidence of our students. In MED 207: Medical Office Procedures, we have scheduled appointments, screened, prioritized and recorded telephone calls demonstrating appropriate telephone techniques, established, organized and filed medical records, assessed and demonstrated verbal, nonverbal and written communication skills and concepts, inventoried and ordered office supplies and grasped the concept of proper patient flow in a medical office. Our office set-up has given the students the ability to practice their Practice Management software skills by entering patient information, including deleting and correcting information on new visits and scheduling patients.
By having a functioning office, students are able to apply the skills they learn from textbooks and lectures and demonstrate professionalism through teamwork. They are also able to practice communication and conflict resolution techniques while working with patients and other professionals.
Our students are very enthusiastic about this new set up. Jennifer Hiar said "I certainly wish I had taken this course before starting my job in a medical office. After taking this course, the office flow now makes sense to me." Zakiya Folami stated that after being able to practice her skills, she felt confident that she would be able to go into a medical practice and quickly pick up their routine and be a valuable member of the team. Both students agree that being able to practice their skills gave them a lot of confidence in their abilities.
This is the second term that we have had use of our new office, but we plan on utilizing it every term with several of the disciplines, from Veterinary Technician to Therapeutic Massage, to reinforce proper office techniques for our students.
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