Focusing on the Role of a Medical Assistant in a Team-based Weight-counseling Project in Primary Care

There is a paucity of literature describing team-based approaches to weight-loss counseling and using a medical assistant (MAs) as a weight-loss counselor at the time of the patient's arrival to the primary care clinic. This case study describes the role of the MA in a team-based project for weight counseling. Project data revealed an increase in patient knowledge about body mass index and health. MAs and patients viewed the role of the MA as a weight-loss counselor positively.