Nutrition and Diet Education Notes
Role of Medical Assistant (MA) in nutrition and exercise guidance
MA acts as liaison between provider and patient, answering diet and exercise inquiries as instructed by the provider.
Stay informed about patient needs, problems, and specific recommendations (e.g., footwear for walking, duration, and intensity).
Monitor for red flags (e.g., shortness of breath) and communicate to the provider.
MA duties include implementing diet/exercise plans prescribed by the provider and knowing when to refer to a Registered Dietitian (RD).
When in doubt, direct patients to an RD for individualized meal planning and counseling (e.g., kidney disease, diabetes).