Final answer:
A medical assistant schedules a 'referral appointment' for a patient to see a specialist or surgeon, coordinating necessary information and ensuring patient understanding of the appointment.
Step-by-step explanation:
The appointment that a medical assistant often schedules for a patient to see a specialist or surgeon is commonly referred to as a referral appointment. This process typically involves the primary care physician identifying a need for the patient to receive specialized care that is beyond their scope of practice. The medical assistant plays a crucial role in coordinating these referral appointments by ensuring all necessary information is conveyed to the specialist and that the patient understands the purpose and importance of the follow-up care.