Patient Versus Client
August 29, 2008 by dr. lam · Leave a Comment
I think one thing that my mentor, Ed Williams, drilled into my brain because I think his mentor, Gene Tardy, drilled into his brain was that as surgeons we treat “patients” not “clients”. During the course of my fellowship year, I was oftentimes corrected for this mistake, which gradually became part of my vocabulary, which I in turn have passed on to my staff.
I think when we as aesthetic plastic surgeons begin to perform purely elective cosmetic work, we can inadvertently start to break down the physician-patient relationship and look at the prospective individual as a “client” or “customer” since we must cater to his or her every whim. Of course, that is important but I think I agree with Ed (perhaps through the repeated brainwashing), that we have what is known as a “fiduciary” responsibility for each individual who is served under us to maintain a proper, respectful, and trusting relationship.
We are not a used car salesman (oh, sorry pre-owned is the word we like today). We are responsible for a patient in the role as a physician. That responsibility should never be forgotten. By using the right word, “patient” rather than “client” I think we can better serve that purpose, especially for all individuals (front-office staff, nursing staff, medical assistants, surgical techs, etc.) who will be involved in that patient’s care.