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?
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.
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.
patient according to my surgery website and their social media….
"Service User" is another one.
Same thing as airlines now referring to their passengers as guests.
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!
Most psychologists, counsellors, social workers, occupational therapists, and similar positions have no medical qualification. Hence, they can't have patients.
Well they couldn’t say live cargo.
Self Loading Freight
possibly that you were in a private clinic and had to pay? therefore you are a client.
Patient is in public where there is no charge (kinda) so not a client.
dunno, just musing
They still use the term patient in private healthcare; e.g. just look at the states.
'Client' or 'service user' is used to describe someone in longer term care such as community care home / nursing home / psychological institution etc or sometimes who visits a doctor for needs which are more psychological than medical.
I was in Penneys yesterday and a shop assistant was talking on her headphones to another staff member. She said she had a query from a "service user". The "service user" was me looking for an item! (and me thinking I was a customer).
I agree with the term Client Over Patient.
