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Is client the new term for a doctors patient?!

  • 13-11-2025 06:52PM
    #1
    huggy15
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 234 ✭✭


    Just had a call from a nurse this evening and she was referring to me as the doctors client! I always thought I was a patient. Don't know why but it got under my skin a bit! Is this the new terminology for patient?

    Tagged:


Comments

  • #2
    CrazyEric
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 241 ✭✭CrazyEric


    Probably some Toolbox complained to an Ombudsman because they were not sick and were only in getting preventative health screening and shouldn't be referred to as a patient because that would imply they were ill, and it hurt their feelings.



  • #3
    thomil
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 4,624 ✭✭✭thomil


    From my experience, the term has been used to refer to people undergoing psychological therapy or counselling, in order to take away some of the stigma still associated with mental health. My own therapist has used that term more than once.

    Good luck trying to figure me out. I haven't managed that myself yet!



  • #4
    Strumms
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 27,500 ✭✭✭✭Strumms


    patient according to my surgery website and their social media….



  • #5
    archfi
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 6,794 ✭✭✭archfi


    "Service User" is another one.



  • #6
    Comhrá
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 5,577 ✭✭✭Comhrá


    Same thing as airlines now referring to their passengers as guests.



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  • #7
    LambshankRedemption
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,542 ✭✭✭✭LambshankRedemption


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058428344/is-client-the-new-term-for-a-doctors-patient

    They really need to send their nurses on some telephone manner courses.

    My father was in hospital, he had terminal cancer and I got a call one evening expecting the bad news.

    Nurse: Are you related to Mr "name"

    Me: yes I'm his son.

    Nurse: and you are aware he has cancer?

    Me: (big sigh) yes

    Nurse: ok well I'm calling you to tell you he had a good day and is comfortable.

    Jesus f******" christ. What ever about training to give bad news, I didn't realize someone might need training on how to give good news!



  • #8
    Victor
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 78,864 ✭✭✭✭Victor


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123986446#Comment_123986446

    Most psychologists, counsellors, social workers, occupational therapists, and similar positions have no medical qualification. Hence, they can't have patients.



  • #9
    silliussoddius
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,130 ✭✭✭silliussoddius


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123986643#Comment_123986643

    Well they couldn’t say live cargo.



  • #10
    Dublinflyer
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 631 ✭✭✭Dublinflyer


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123986987#Comment_123986987

    Self Loading Freight



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