I seem to recall that you used to advocate labeling the participants in a practice as “practice members.” I notice that you have returned to the label as patients, not clients or anything else.  I would appreciate your letting me know the reason why the change.

My Response:

Since the word “patient” comes from the Latin word meaning “to suffer,” it seems right to refer to those with obvious aches or pains as patients. However, at some point, if all goes well, the obvious suffering lessens or is eliminated. You and I recognize continued care can be helpful to fully heal and optimize one’s health. Those who continue can rightly be called “practice members.”

Now, if someone where to begin care on a nonsymptomatic basis, it’s possible they could begin at the practice member stage.

More significantly, if I were in practice, not only would I explain the distinctions to new patients, but have a little ritual or ceremony to mark the transition from patient to practice member.

Bill