2 cents on Patient/Client Debate
John A. Zeffer
Description
Collection
Title:
2 cents on Patient/Client Debate
Creator:
John A. Zeffer
Date:
1/25/2000
Text:
Patient? Client? who cares!
Is this only in the USA that this non issue takes such precedence? I will
call my clients “patients” and my patients “clients” as appropriate or
desired by the individual. It really is of no relevance to the final
outcome of the service provided, unless the service is anticipated to be
other than a professional prosthetic/orthotic fitting by the
patient/client/person. If the individual is looking for identity as a
“shopper-consumer-client”, then this form of business transaction should be
respected. That is; and I address those offended by the nomenclature: I
will go out of my way to please you, IF I WANT YOUR BUSINESS. But I will
also expect you to be a good customer, and pay your bill. I mean, not to
just sign on the dotted line and expect me to be a bill collector with YOUR
selected form of medical coverage. Furthermore, I would expect you, the
client, to be informed about what exactly, your insurance will cover and be
prepared to make up the discrepancy on the claim.
Otherwise, let the prosthetist/orthotist take all the risk on your behalf.
You know, be what your medical insurance policy is reimbursing upon: your
status as a patient. Your prosthetist is being patient with you.
Is this only in the USA that this non issue takes such precedence? I will
call my clients “patients” and my patients “clients” as appropriate or
desired by the individual. It really is of no relevance to the final
outcome of the service provided, unless the service is anticipated to be
other than a professional prosthetic/orthotic fitting by the
patient/client/person. If the individual is looking for identity as a
“shopper-consumer-client”, then this form of business transaction should be
respected. That is; and I address those offended by the nomenclature: I
will go out of my way to please you, IF I WANT YOUR BUSINESS. But I will
also expect you to be a good customer, and pay your bill. I mean, not to
just sign on the dotted line and expect me to be a bill collector with YOUR
selected form of medical coverage. Furthermore, I would expect you, the
client, to be informed about what exactly, your insurance will cover and be
prepared to make up the discrepancy on the claim.
Otherwise, let the prosthetist/orthotist take all the risk on your behalf.
You know, be what your medical insurance policy is reimbursing upon: your
status as a patient. Your prosthetist is being patient with you.
Citation
John A. Zeffer, “2 cents on Patient/Client Debate,” Digital Resource Foundation for Orthotics and Prosthetics, accessed November 2, 2024, https://library.drfop.org/items/show/213369.
