Why is the term client used instead of patient?

[LauraLou]

This may be a silly question, but I am in my first semester of nursing school. All my professors refer to patients as clients. Is there a reason why the term client is used instead of patient? Does the word patient imply something negative that I'm not aware of? It just seems a little strange to me.

Thanks!

[Spidey's mom, ADN, BSN, RN]

Originally posted by LittleCatB

I'm not sure how nursing-related this is, but anyway-

I'm a direct care worker at a group home (for the developmentally disabled) in Michigan and the term we used to use was "residents", then "clients" and then it went to "consumers" (I'm not making this up)

Now it's "the people that we support". and that is CUMBERSOME.

I can see the point, and I do think it's overly-PC, but I guess the point is not to differentiate from the staff and the, um... people that we support :) that we're all people who deserve equal treatment, and the same amount of respect, etc.

In the home I work at we just use the term "the ladies" or (obviously) their names.

That is interesting . . . . there is a ranch here locally called "The Mountain Jewels Ranch" which is run by a lovely family who have a son with Down's Syndrome. They have created a working ranch for developmentally disabled adults, who are the "jewels" of the ranch. It is a wonderful place. Their "clients" are called "ranchers". I love that.

steph

[LeesieBug]

The term "client" drives me crazy. Makes me think of a call girl for some reason. Giving a patient a bed-bath sounds much more dignified than giving one to my client.

They explained the logic behind it, but I have never met anyone offended by the term patient. I don't feel I am a greater participant in my health care decisions because of being referred to as a "client", rather than a patient.

[sharann, BSN, RN]

Here is a question. I work in an area where I don't have people sign forms and such, but what do the hospital forms say? Do they have a place for "Clients signature" and "Clients initials", or do they say "PAtients signature"?

What about on consents? Are they surgical clients, or patients?

[BRANDY LPN]

Thank You Queen MammaJamma

My husband is now looking at me like I have lost the last of my marbles as I sit here laughing out loud!!:roll

[NRSKarenRN, BSN, RN]

Home Care has "clients"; we obtain "client's signature".

I've also had the pleasure of calling 150 + clients to inform them their Medicare HMO now has a $10.00-$20.00 copay/per visit/per discipline effective 1/1/2004 ---all so the client can choose to accept or decline homecare.

15+ years in home care, term client connotes partnership in homecare with client partially responsible for healthcare outcomes, especailly if they decline to follow advice given.

[healingtouchRN]

client denotes an interactive relationship; patient denotes a one way relatinship. I use client as opposed to the patient word, since I find it more respectful.

[Dragonnurse1, ASN, RN]

Customers or clients pick and choose what they want and when they want it. A customer is always "right" by general sales principles because they know what is right for them.

Patients in a hospital or medical office cannot be customers or clients unless healthcare is going to let them decide what their illness is and what they want to treat it.

Welcome to the ER. What may we offer you.

Oh, tonight I think I'll have the gallbladder special. I want all the pain meds, a private room and a surgeon that will operate at my convience, but I want plenty of narcotics - IV NOT pill form. And I want all my family to stay in my room with free meals and work excuses all around.

As nurses in hospitals we treat patients. PATIENTS not customers, the patient cannot dx or treat themselves.

Hospitals are just that hospitals not fast food joints though I think management thinks that we should be.

[LauraLou]

Thank you everyone for your replies. Some of my professors trip over the word client, so I think they don't really like the term either. My skills lab teacher today said "Patient, I mean client, I mean whatever we are calling them this week."

Thank you again!

[Havin' A Party!, ASN, RN]

Originally posted by zenman

"Patient" implies someone that is dependant and has no say so in their care. "Client" infers that the person collaborates with the healthcare team in planning their care.

Z -- Just don't see it this way.

Just why is it thought that "patient" implies dependency, and "client" collaboration?

To me, in a hospital setting, the person accepting / receiving services is a patient, purely by definition and customary usage. And not because of some inferior characteristic.

OTH, I associate "client," generally with anyone who is a consumer of a professional service, and the word raises in my mind issues related to payment.

Once the human we're entrusted to care for and advise is in the facility, I think it's preferable for us -- as practitioners -- to focus on doing our jobs, and not emphasize the money angle in the relationship. The latter seems more an administrator's job. If the back room folks wish to use that term for their purposes, then let them. It's more apropos for the accounting group to do so than for us.

But none of the above means that our patient doesn't have options, choices, etc., as to the recommended treatments offered.

[Havin' A Party!, ASN, RN]

Originally posted by healingtouchRN

client denotes an interactive relationship; patient denotes a one way relatinship.

Would you please elaborate on why you feel this is so. Thanks!

[live4today, RN]

Originally posted by LauraLou

Thank you everyone for your replies. Some of my professors trip over the word client, so I think they don't really like the term either. My skills lab teacher today said "Patient, I mean client, I mean whatever we are calling them this week."

Thank you again!

:chuckle :roll :chuckle

[LeesieBug]

hmmmm....looked up "patient" and discovered it comes from the Latin "to suffer". :chuckle Maybe "client" IS better!