There are many different reasons a communication barrier can arise while working as a medical assistant. Physical impairments, language barriers, prejudices, stereotyping, and perceptions can all be communication barriers. When caring for these patients a medical assistant should always talk to the patient, rather than the person caring for and/or interpreting for the individual. If you are meeting with a patient that doesn’t speak English, pay close attention to body language of the patient. Use simple direct statements that are easy to translate, to ensure the patient has a clear understanding of the topic at