How to Reduce Anxiety in Patients: A Medical Assistant’s Guide

Nearly 20% of Americans have had some type of anxiety disorder in the past year. But in medical facilities, this anxiety can be experienced by an even larger percentage of people. Some even put off medical procedures because they experience high levels of anxiety, including both physical and emotional discomforts.

The medical assistant has the important role of reducing nervous patients’ anxiety and improving the chances that patients will return to have medical treatment completed. Clinicians help manage anxious patients by establishing rapport and implementing effective treatment strategies. For those who enjoy helping and supporting others, medical assisting programs can be the first step toward a rewarding career. Cognitive therapies, specifically cognitive behavior therapy, are effective in treating anxiety by helping patients challenge unhelpful thoughts and coping mechanisms.

Why Patients May Have Anxiety

Anxiety is a common mental health condition that affects millions of people worldwide. It is characterized by an excessive and persistent fear and dread response to certain things and situations, which can manifest as physical symptoms such as a pounding heart, sweating, and muscle tension. Anxiety disorders, including generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and social anxiety disorder, can have a significant impact on a person’s quality of life, making it important to understand and address anxiety in medical practice. Healthcare providers, including medical assistants, play an important role in identifying and supporting anxious patients, and effective communication is important in reducing patient anxiety and improving outcomes.

White Coat Syndrome

A technical term for anxiety at the doctor’s office is “white coat syndrome,” also known as “white coat hypertension.” Data reported by The Cleveland Clinic finds that “white coat hypertension affects 15% to 30% of people who have high blood pressure.” This type of anxiety is characterized by a surge in blood pressure when at the doctor’s office, raising concern regarding the effectiveness of certain screening instruments.

Medical assistants might find this challenging when trying to get accurate vital signs. Another sign of white coat syndrome is a patient fainting at the sight of a needle. There are many different ways for medical assistants to help nervous patients reduce anxiety at the doctor’s office. Patients cope with white coat syndrome through various strategies, and healthcare providers aid this process by helping patients recognize their anxiety triggers and develop effective coping mechanisms.

Ways to Reduce Your Patient’s Anxiety

Anxiety frequently coexists with depression, so it is important to use effective screening tools to identify both conditions.

Start by getting to know them, and make some notes about things that are safe to discuss. A medical assistant can build trust this way and put the patient at ease.

Give the patient a distraction from the anxiety. A good magazine or some elevator music might do the trick. The medical assistant can preview the pain with the nervous patient, associating something the patient is already familiar with to judge how painful the procedure will be. For example, relate the anxiety to a familiar situation like a previous minor medical procedure.

The patient can bring a friend to the doctor’s office, or the medical assistant can remind patients that they are not alone. Let them know that others also have anxiety about going to the doctor’s office.

Creating a Calming Environment

Creating a calming environment is helpful in reducing anxiety in patients. This can be achieved by designing a waiting room that is comfortable and welcoming, with calming artwork, comfortable seating, and soothing music. Medical assistants can also contribute to a calming environment by being warm, friendly, and approachable, which can help anxious patients feel more at ease. Additionally, providing patients with information about their treatment plan and what to expect during their visit can help reduce anxiety and uncertainty. By creating a calming environment, healthcare providers can help patients feel more relaxed and reduce their anxiety, leading to better outcomes.

Get to Know Them

There is usually time when the medical assistant is in the exam room with the patient before the doctor begins working. Medical assistants can use this time to chat with nervous patients about matters other than their diseases and disorders.

Ask them where they are from, what they do for work, or whether they have any upcoming travel plans. Various factors such as a newly diagnosed illness, life changes, and financial concerns can contribute to a patient’s anxiety. Avoid sensitive topics such as whether the patient is married or has children, unless the patient brings it up. Some patients might be going through a divorce or struggling with infertility, and these are not issues they will want to discuss to reduce their anxiety levels. If they do bring up a spouse or child, though, then by all means, chat away. Relationships with family members can significantly influence a patient’s emotional state and addressing these social dynamics can be beneficial.

Make Notes in the Chart

Depending on the practice, medical assistants might be writing in a paper chart or inputting information into a computer program. There is often a space to add additional information about patients. Generalised anxiety disorder is prevalent in the general population and should be noted if relevant. If there isn’t, medical assistants can ask the doctor or office manager where they can include notes about upcoming vacations, children’s graduations, and other good news that patients share.

When patients return, the medical assistant will have a “cheat sheet” handy to ask about their trip to Italy or what their son is doing after high school. This helps the nervous patient feel valued as an individual and reduces their anxiety by preparing them for what will happen during their visit.

A Nice Distraction

Patients sitting in the waiting room can read a book, do a crossword puzzle, or play a game on their smartphones. Anxiety can arise as a normal response to illness, making it important to provide distractions. Keeping their minds off the subject at hand and using a fun activity to distract them is a great way for medical assistants to reduce nervous patient anxiety.

Most patients with mild to moderate anxiety, however, can benefit from listening to music or a guided visualization audio file. Medical professionals often face challenges in treating anxiety, especially when access to a mental health professional is limited. They might also like to look through a magazine while waiting.

A patient who feels cold in the exam room might appreciate a blanket. If something works well for a patient, mark it in the chart so you can remember it next time.

Preview the Pain

The biggest fear for some patients is the fear of the unknown. Anxiety can be a normal reaction to physical illness. One way a medical assistant can help reduce anxiety in nervous patients is to relate the pain they will feel with something they may have already felt. For instance, relating a needle prick to a mosquito bite is an appropriate way to describe the level of pain they may feel.

Additionally, anxiety can manifest through physical signs such as a pounding heart and sweating, which are common responses to anxiety-triggering situations.

Use Medication to Sedate

Some patients’ anxiety may be so severe that they will need a sedative. In such cases, a physician can help anxious patients by prescribing antianxiety medication before they visit the doctor to relax their minds. This allows them to deal with the situation at the doctor’s office. This is especially helpful with nervous patients who have a fear of needles.

Additionally, the importance of relationships in therapeutic interventions cannot be overstated. Strong relationships with family members and friends can significantly influence a patient’s emotional state and contribute to better mental health outcomes.

Bring a Friend

Having a friend or family member accompany patients to the doctor’s office can help reduce anxiety. Certain populations may be at greater risk for anxiety disorders, making support even more necessary. Knowing they are not alone and have support to get them through the anxious situation can be helpful, as stress can negatively impact patients, especially in medical settings.

Let Patients Know They’re Not Alone

One reason that patients get anxious about going to the doctor is that they think they are the only ones who react with fear. They may feel hurried and stressed, or they think their health is in extremely bad shape, and they’re afraid the doctor and staff will judge them.

Let nervous patients know that people with anxiety visit the office every day. The doctor treats people with all types of medical conditions, and the patient doesn’t have to worry about being judged. Even in a supportive environment, patients may feel worried. This knowledge can sometimes be enough to help a patient relax.

Identifying Specific Anxiety

Identifying anxiety in patients helps establish effective support and treatment. Anxiety can manifest as physical complaints, such as headaches, stomach problems, and difficulty concentrating, as well as psychological symptoms, such as feelings of worry, fear, and intense fear. Medical assistants can play an important role in identifying anxiety by being aware of the signs and symptoms, such as somatic symptoms, and asking patients about their concerns and fears. By identifying anxiety early on, healthcare providers can provide patients with coping strategies and effective treatments, such as medication and therapy, to manage their anxiety and improve their quality of life.

Waiting Room Experience

The waiting room experience can have a significant impact on a patient’s anxiety levels. A waiting room that is crowded, noisy, and uncomfortable can contribute to increased anxiety, while a calm and welcoming waiting room can help reduce anxiety. Medical assistants can help create a positive waiting room experience by providing patients with information about their wait time, offering them a drink or a magazine, and being available to answer any questions or concerns they may have. Additionally, providing patients with a distraction, such as a TV or a puzzle, can help take their mind off their anxiety and make the waiting time more bearable. By creating a positive waiting room experience, healthcare providers can help reduce patient’s anxiety and improve their overall experience.

Patient Education

Medical assistants can play an important role in educating patients about their anxiety, including the causes, symptoms, and treatment options. By providing patients with accurate and reliable information, healthcare providers can help them understand their anxiety and feel more in control. Additionally, educating patients about coping strategies, such as deep breathing, meditation, and exercise, can help them manage their anxiety and improve their quality of life. By empowering patients with knowledge and skills, healthcare providers can help them take an active role in their treatment and achieve better outcomes. Effective communication and patient education can also help reduce anxiety and improve the patient’s experience, making it an important aspect of medical practice.