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Patients Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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patients

[หˆpeษชสƒษ™nts ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

medical care

Individuals who are under medical treatment or care, especially in a hospital or clinic. Patients may suffer from various illnesses, injuries, or conditions.

Synonyms

cases, clients, inpatients.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
patients

Refers collectively to individuals who are receiving medical treatment or care.

  • The doctor sees many patients every day.
  • Patients need to follow the treatment plan.
inpatients

Specifically used for patients who are admitted to a hospital and stay overnight or longer.

  • The inpatients are required to be in their rooms by 8 PM.
  • Inpatients receive 24-hour medical supervision.
clients

Commonly used in a business or professional services context, referring to individuals who receive services or consulting.

  • The lawyer met with her clients to discuss the case.
  • The therapist has several clients daily.
cases

Used to describe individual instances of diseases or conditions, often in a statistical or analytical context.

  • The hospital recorded 100 new cases of flu this week.
  • This case is a rare example of the disease.

Examples of usage

  • He is one of the patients in the cardiology ward.
  • The hospital has a high number of COVID-19 patients.
  • She is a patient undergoing chemotherapy for cancer.
Context #2 | Noun

psychology

Individuals who are receiving mental health treatment or therapy. Patients in this context could be dealing with psychological disorders or conditions.

Synonyms

cases, clients, therapy recipients.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
patients

Used predominantly in medical and healthcare settings when referring to individuals receiving medical treatment or care.

  • The doctor has many patients to see today
  • The hospital admits new patients every day
clients

Commonly used in business, consulting, or therapy settings to refer to individuals or organizations that receive professional services. It suggests a professional, often commercial relationship.

  • The consultant has several clients seeking business advice
  • The therapist sees clients in private sessions
therapy recipients

Used in contexts emphasizing the reception of therapeutic services. It is more formal and less commonly used in casual conversation.

  • Therapy recipients reported significant improvement after the treatment
  • Researchers are studying outcomes for therapy recipients
cases

Often used in medical, legal, or research settings to refer to specific instances of a disease, legal situation, or study subject. It is more impersonal and generic.

  • The lawyer reviewed all the cases before the court date
  • There were five new cases of the flu reported this week

Examples of usage

  • The psychologist sees several patients each day.
  • She has been a patient at the mental health clinic for a year.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Origin of 'patients'

The word 'patients' originates from the Latin word 'patiens' which means 'suffering' or 'enduring'. Over time, the term evolved to refer to individuals receiving medical or psychological treatment. The concept of patient care has been an essential part of healthcare systems throughout history, emphasizing the importance of compassion and empathy towards those in need of healing.

See also: impatient, impatiently, patience, patiently.

Word Frequency Rank

At #613 in the frequency ranking, this word is highly important for effective communication. It's commonly used in daily situations and should be prioritized in your vocabulary building.