Client or Patient?

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Specializes in Nephrology.

I am really confused on the use of the terms client and patient. In our books, they're referred to as clients but I am so used to the patient term. When did this change? Is it enforced where you work? Is it a PC thing?

Thank you so much for any input. I don't want to go into the hospital saying patient when I should be saying client or vice-versa.

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Specializes in med/surg,CHF stepdown, clinical manager.

Mine are residents........they will always be patients to me.

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Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.

The definition of patient is someone receiving medical treatment.

The definition of client is a person or entity dependent on the protection or patronage of another person or entity and to whom goods or services are provided and/or sold.

It is a pc term.

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:nurse: Thank you for bringing this question up, I too have noticed it, not only in our textbooks, but also my instructor using this term. Some how I feel a loss of compassion using this term, it feels so cold saying "client". I know that medicine has become strictly a business but did we have to resort to the term "client". If so, do they get a money back "guarentee" if not satisfied.
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Specializes in Nephrology.
If so, do they get a money back "guarentee" if not satisfied.

I love the way you put that! :chuckle

If it's a pc thing, that's okay. I just don't want to offend anyone my first day!

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We call them patients, Risk Management calls them clients. I guess because they're paying for a service?

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