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Terminology: "client" vs. "patient"
Greetings folks. I'd like to ask for your thoughts on the words "client" and "patient" as they apply to massage therapy.
Do you prefer one to the other? If so, why, specifically?
Does the 'best' word for the recipient of massage depend on the context, such as their condition, their reason for seeking massage therapy, or where the massage is being performed? Or, do you prefer the same term in all situations?
And, if you are reading something about massage therapy and the author uses the term that you do not prefer, do you notice? Does it matter a little to you, or a lot?
Do you prefer one to the other? If so, why, specifically?
Does the 'best' word for the recipient of massage depend on the context, such as their condition, their reason for seeking massage therapy, or where the massage is being performed? Or, do you prefer the same term in all situations?
And, if you are reading something about massage therapy and the author uses the term that you do not prefer, do you notice? Does it matter a little to you, or a lot?
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Susan G. Salvo on
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Hey Christopher.
According to Mosby's Medical Dictionary 7e…
A client is 1. a person who is recipient of a professional service. 2. a recipient of health care regardless of the state of health. 3. a recipient of health care who is not ill or hospitalized. 4. a patient.
A patient is 1. a recipient of a health care service. 2. a health care recipient who is ill or hospitalized. 3. a client in a health care service.
Essentially, these terms are interchangeable but do have subtle differences. That's why in the MTBOK, we used client/patient; to add to the confusion (just kidding).
I have a private practice. I see clients unless the person is referred to me by a health care professional or is under medical supervision (i.e., undergoing chemotherapy). Then I refer to the person as a patient.
My husband works for a chiropractor. Everyone he sees there is considered patients.
As an aside, my friends in the medical profession says that they are moving toward the universal term “clients” as it feels friendlier and suggests that people do, in fact, have choices about their health care.
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Permalink Reply by Ivy Hultquist on
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Can of worms Christopher. Can. of. worms.
Here is my two cents about why some choose take this matter so seriously. Lawyers have clients, accountants have clients, and now even some doctors have clients. However, prostitutes also have "clients". Many massage therapists have tried so hard to separate our profession from the past negative sexual connotations and want more than anything to separate from the parlor massage image. Also, many associate the word "client" with the spa and relaxation industry. For many, using the word “patient” gives a legitimate feeling to their work and differentiates them from the relaxation and spa industry. However, we do not be offended by the word client.
Nurses, dental assistants and hygienists, physical and occupational therapy use “patient” all of the time. In these situations they are the doctor’s patients, not their own. You should be able to use the term in a health care setting (hospital or chiropractic clinic), but remember they are not your patients. I also believe the term “health care consumer” or "client" will be utilized more as people play an active role in their own health care.
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Permalink Reply by Daniel Cohen on
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Using the term patient belongs to the medical field. It can be considered fraud or misrepresentation. The AMA and The American Chiropractic Association do protect their turf. Every school for massage that I have attended or taught at has stressed that this term must not be used as it can result in revoktion of the massage license. Perhaps this varies area to area and the politics. Hopefully this is lessening as massage is more accepted by the medical community. It goes along with using words like cure and heal.
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Permalink Reply by Jason Erickson on
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I personally feel comfortable with either one, but I use "client" because we are a large multitherapist practice, and many of our MTs do more relaxation work than therapeutic or "clinical" massage. One term works for all of us, without ruffling feathers or confusing things.
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Permalink Reply by Christopher A. Moyer on
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Thanks for your thoughts on this.
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Permalink Reply by Laura Allen on
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A chiropractor works in my office. I tend to refer to the people he is seeing as patients, and the ones that only see the MTs as clients. I suppose that is due to the fact that we cannot diagnose or prescribe. I don't get whacked out about it either way and like Susan, it is sometimes interchangeable.
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Permalink Reply by Lisa on
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i'm on board with it being interchangeable, however I tend to use client. I guess my subconscious still sees "patient" as being with an MD. and I don't claim to have nearly the power of healing as an MD does. :)
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Permalink Reply by Darcy Neibaur on
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At Massage Envy we see clients. They come to us for a variety of reasons as has been stated. They are still clients.
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Permalink Reply by Marilyn St.John on
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I'm comfortable with "client" and I agree with Ivy's thoughts about this, maybe because I've been in a chiropractic environment for so long...however, my clients tend to refer to themselves as my "patients" probably for the same reason.
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Thanks to the California state certification I will not need to renew my Massage License that I have had for 11 years in my city. They have informed me that because I am CAMTC Certified I will be sent an application for Professional Permit. The difference in California is that Massage Licenses are under Adult Entertainment enforcement. But Professional Permits are issued to Health Care Professionals such as M.D.s, Chiropractors, Physical Therapists and Massage Therapists! This is new this year.
Why do I announce this on this thread? Because the Professional Permit allows me to call the people I work on "PATIENTS" It is a legal distinction which was not allowed me until this year. For those of you that are allowed the choice in your state - CONGRATULATIONS. For those of you in states that leave MTs local licensed caring for clients, I wish you luck in your State Legislatures.
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