Client or patient?
I’ve just analysed the results from an interesting survey. I asked my clients/patients which term they preferred - client or patient? Surprisingly, the majority prefer the term patient. This is surprising as the overwhelming trend in recent years has been towards use of the term client, with doctors fearing that the term patient implies a relationship of power imbalance, patriacharcal institutionalised medical hierarchies and dependence.
Some guys at the BMJ got very upset about this a few years ago; “Do we need a new word for patients?”
Not so say my patients. They see the word patient as an indicator of a relationship of trust, confidence and caring.
I’m pleased about that, because it sits much better with the ethos I want to create at ShapeCYMRU.
Thanks to the many who responded to my e-questionnaire.
DR STEVE BASSETT