Certified Medical Assistants (CMA) the Key to a More Efficient Healthcare System? An Investigation into the Roles and Functions of CMAs and State Scope-of-Practice Laws

The delivery of care has changed dramatically in the past two decades to improve efficiency and quality of care. The shift from disease-centered care to patient-centered care has prompted new roles in healthcare to emerge. One of the fastest growing healthcare professions is Medical Assistants (MA). The MA role is changing and has the potential to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving health care system. This study investigates the differences in scope of practice for CMAs, identifies the roles CMAs fill in patient care, identifies gaps in the workforce, and proposes solutions for addressing these gaps.Master of Science in Public Healt