Question

Consider the following questions relating to the Internet: How can you tell if virus-scanning software has been loaded on to your computer? What are some situations in which an administrative medical assistant may need to know how to use the Internet at work? Why does a medical assistant need to know how to send and receive e-mail, including attachments?

Answer 1

Knowing if the system is loaded with malware:

· Checking the system security and by reviewing the computer’s health status. The latest Windows versions can detect the malware in the computer, which can be checked under “malware protection”

· If any anti-virus software is installed into the system, it provides a notification about malware. Or running an anti-virus software can detect the malware in the system

· The slowing of system, sudden crashing, unnecessary advertisements, pop up messages, disabling of security, suspicious shortcuts, all are indicative of malware threat.   

The importance of computer knowledge and internet usage for medical assistants:

Saving the patient information in electronic health records (EHR) is one of the common technical advances utilized in most healthcare facilitates. Medical assistants working in the administration section also need to care about financial transactions, which require an internet connection. Updating the patient appointment information and sharing the same with the patient and the physician also require internet usage. Sometimes they may also be required to use an internet-enabled form filling and providing virtual medical assistance, which requires internet usage.

Sending and receiving mails:

The medical assistants need to know about sending and receiving emails because they may need to share the patient data and the details of patient care with the patient and the other physicians as needed. In the administrative section, they may need to purchase the requisites for a lab, which requires sending the quotation request for the vendors through emails. Knowing about file attachment is most important as it enables the sharing of large information.