| > | | | | A patient asks What? A client asks |
| | | | Why? |
| While a patient is the object of medical care; a | | | | Being a client takes a lot more work. I have to |
| client is the subject of medical services. In | | | | educate myself about my condition and |
| language as in life, an object is passive, a subject | | | | treatment options. It’s a daunting but |
| is active. | | | | doable task thanks to the Internet. There are |
| I won’t be able to change the | | | | plenty of reputable sites with reliable information |
| nomenclature of the medical profession but I | | | | the average person can understand. |
| refer to myself as a client, not a patient. By | | | | Oncologists know a shipload more about |
| definition, a patient is One who receives | | | | lymphoma than do its sufferers, but they |
| medical attention or treatment. The archaic | | | | don’t know everything. It’s |
| meaning was One who suffers, from the | | | | impossible to keep up with the ocean of new |
| Latin verb meaning to endure. A client on | | | | information. A dialogue with a well-informed client |
| the other hand is The party for which | | | | could suggest new possibilities to a thoughtful |
| professional services are rendered. | | | | physician. |
| Catch the nuance? A patient is the object of | | | | When I see Dr. Kurbegov, my oncologist, |
| medical care; a client is the subject of medical | | | | I’ll ask if radioimmunotherapy is an option |
| services. In language as in life, an object is | | | | for my type of lymphoma based on an article I |
| passive, a subject is active. | | | | read in the New York Times. I’ll ask about |
| A patient complies with the experts. A client | | | | any clinical trials for which I might be a candidate, |
| consults the experts, then follows what seems | | | | especially those sponsored by the MD Anderson |
| the best advice. | | | | Cancer Center where Dr. Kurbegov was a Chief |
| A patient might complain but would never | | | | Fellow. |
| contradict an authority. A client will ask questions | | | | I’m not trying to play doctor or impress |
| and weigh alternatives before deciding. | | | | anyone with my research skills. I’m just |
| A patient goes where sent and does not change | | | | trying to understand my cancer and to be |
| doctors or clinics. A client tries to find the best | | | | proactive in eradicating it. |
| physicians and facilities realistically available. | | | | |