Patient

Individual receiving medical care.

patient

A patient is an individual receiving or having received medical care.

/ˈpeɪʃənt/

From Latin *paciens*, the present participle of *pacere* 'to make peaceful, quiet'.

A patient is someone who visits a doctor or hospital to get help with an illness or injury, like when you go to the doctor for a check-up.

The word 'patient' originally meant someone who suffers
The concept of a patient-doctor relationship has evolved significantly over time
Many hospitals have patient advocacy programs to help patients navigate the healthcare system

What does it mean to be a patient? It means you are receiving medical care from a healthcare professional
Who is considered a patient? Anyone seeking or receiving medical treatment is a patient
What rights do patients have? Patients have the right to informed consent and privacy

person individual

inpatient outpatient

healthcare system

medical