Patients

A patient is an individual who seeks or receives medical care from health professionals. Patients may be ill, injured, at risk of disease, or seeking preventive services. The term is used across settings, including hospitals, clinics, home care, and long-term care facilities.

In modern health care, patients are generally encouraged to participate in decisions about their care. This includes providing medical histories, asking questions, and giving informed consent. Capacity to participate varies with age, cognitive status, and context; when capacity is lacking, a legally authorized representative may act on the patient's behalf.

Patients can be categorized by setting (inpatient vs outpatient), by age groups (pediatric, adult, geriatric), or by condition (acute, chronic). The patient experience also encompasses comfort, communication, and access to care.

Rights and ethics: patients have rights to privacy and confidentiality, access to information about diagnosis and treatment, respectful treatment, and protection from discrimination. Legal frameworks govern consent, data protection, and the right to complain.

Safety and quality: patient safety focuses on preventing errors, adverse events, and complications. Strategies include standardized procedures, checklists, careful medication management, and clear communication to support safe care. Health literacy and cultural competence are important.

Research and data use: patients may participate in clinical trials with informed consent. De-identified data from patient care can contribute to research while safeguarding privacy. Patient advocacy groups help voice patient needs and perspectives in policy and care design.