Final answer:
A medical assistant should use therapeutic communication to acknowledge a patient's concerns about their treatment, which involves actively listening, empathizing, and offering to facilitate better communication between the patient and their doctor.
Step-by-step explanation:
When addressing a patient's concern that their doctor doesn't know how to treat their condition, a medical assistant should use therapeutic communication to foster trust and understanding. An appropriate response could be, "It sounds like you're feeling unsettled about your treatment plan. Can you tell me more about your concerns so I can help communicate them to your doctor?" This response validates the patient's feelings, encourages them to share more information, and indicates a willingness to help. Such an approach can alleviate frustration and enable the medical assistant to gather important information that could lead to more individualized care.
The medical assistant's role includes being a liaison between the patient and the doctor, ensuring that patient feedback is heard and addressed. This interaction is paramount in maintaining a functional doctor-patient relationship and contributes to the overall healthcare experience of the patient.