Editing Patient (section)

==Alternative terminology==
Because of concerns such as [[dignity]], [[human rights]] and [[political correctness]], the term "patient" is not always used to refer to a person receiving health care. Other terms that are sometimes used include '''health consumer''', '''healthcare consumer''', '''customer''' or '''client'''.  However, such terminology may be offensive to those receiving [[Publicly funded health care|public health care]], as it implies a business relationship.

In [[veterinary medicine]], the '''client''' is the owner or guardian of the patient. These may be used by governmental agencies, [[Health insurance|insurance companies]], patient groups, or [[Health facility|health care facilities]]. Individuals who use or have used [[psychiatric]] services may alternatively refer to themselves as [[psychiatric survivors movement|consumers, users, or survivors]].

In [[nursing home]]s and [[assisted living]] facilities, the term '''resident''' is generally used in lieu of ''patient''.<ref>{{cite book |author1=American Red Cross |author-link1=American Red Cross |title=Foundations for Caregiving |date=1993 |publisher=Mosby Lifeline |location=St. Louis |isbn=978-0801665158}}</ref> Similarly, those receiving [[home health care]] are called ''clients''.