title: Risk reduction in general practice and the role of the receptionist.
abstract: Medical receptionists play a crucial role in any practice as they are usually the first points of contact for patients and the intermediaries through whom contacts with medical practitioners are made. This article reports the findings of a qualitative study of medical receptionists undertaken to explore their role in general practice, particularly in relation to activities involving direct patient assessment, monitoring, counselling and therapy. The findings highlight a number of significant issues in relation to the potential liability of receptionists, medical practitioners, medical centre owners and insurers.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, Griffith University--Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia. e.patterson@griffith.edu.au
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Patterson
authors.forename: Kim
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Forrester
authors.forename: Kay
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Price
authors.forename: Desley
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Hegney
mesh_terms: D001315:Australia; D005194:Family Practice; D008496:Medical Receptionists / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D012308:Risk Management; D012380:Role