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).