`Clients' vs. `Patients'

I was surprised to see an announcement in the August 4 issue about a CBT meeting that used the word “clients” instead of“ patients.” This practice has been a concern of mine for over a decade, coinciding with the medical profession's descent into the hands of HMOs and nonmedical health professionals.

I am sure that Hippocrates would stand up from his grave if he knew that instead of having the desire to treat and help our fellow men without expecting a fee or written promise, we are supposed to treat“ clients,” who is “someone who pays for goods or services.” We are required to see “clients” often and perhaps briefly to maximize our profit, and we should not care about their fate or well-being, but on the amount of money they represent.

We should strive for what we swore to pursue as physicians and continue our quest to return the dignity to our patients and our profession.