Which form should a medical assistant check to determine when a patient should return to the clinic?

The encounter form is crucial for tracking patient visits and includes various details such as diagnoses, treatments, and follow-up recommendations. It specifically serves as a record of the service rendered to the patient during their visit. Within this form, a medical assistant can find notes about when the patient should return for follow-up appointments or further evaluation. This information is generally dictated by the healthcare provider during the encounter, making it the primary resource for determining follow-up schedules.

In contrast, the other forms serve different purposes. The patient admission form is used to collect basic demographic and insurance information upon initial visit. The discharge summary reflects the patient's condition and care provided at the conclusion of treatment but does not focus on follow-up visits. Lastly, the referral form is used when a patient needs to see a specialist, outlining the reason for the referral rather than specifying a return visit to the original clinic. Therefore, the encounter form is the most relevant to ascertain when a patient should return for follow-up care.