Response to Jackson, Hutchinson & Wilson (2016). Editorial: In defence of patients. Journal of Clinical Nursing

We welcome the editorial by Jackson et al. (2016) that stimulates a much needed dialogue on the replacement of the term ‘patient’ with ‘client’, ‘consumer’, ‘customer’ and ‘service user’. We agree that these revised terms fall short of encapsulating the complex meaning of the word ‘patient’, which is understood by healthcare seekers and providers alike. Furthermore, the authors argue that changing such language has implications in terms of how healthcare seekers are framed and cared for. As Jackson et al. (2016) highlight, one of the reasons provided for the need to replace the word patient was to minimise power inequities inherent in dominant biomedical approaches. However, to promote patient autonomy and empowerment, we need to change the oppressive cultures and practices that may exist in some settings, rather than change terminology. In short, changing words does not change an oppressive system.