Praxispersonal

Praxispersonal refers to all personnel employed in a medical or dental practice. The term encompasses clinical staff who support patient care as well as non-clinical staff who handle administration, reception, billing, and practice management.

In German-speaking healthcare, the most common roles include Medizinische Fachangestellte (MFA) and Arzthelfer/Arzhelfer, who assist physicians during examinations, prepare rooms, take patient histories, and help with basic procedures. Reception staff handle scheduling and inquiries, while practice managers oversee workflow, quality management, and regulatory compliance.

Training for Praxispersonal typically occurs through formal apprenticeships. In Germany, MFAs complete a three-year Ausbildung combining clinical duties with administrative training. Similar qualifications exist elsewhere, and continuing education often covers infection control, data protection, medical software, and terminology.

Work organization varies by practice size and specialty. In small practices, staff multitask and collaborate closely; in larger clinics, front-office, clinical, and administrative units may be separate. The Praxispersonal is central to patient experience, access to care, and compliance with privacy and safety standards, while facing staffing and administrative burdens and the need to adapt to digital tools and regulatory changes.