My Patient or A Patient?

[mycrofft]

Which is it?

 

[tnoye1337]

I would say "my" because you are responsible for anything that happens to that person while under your care.

 

[DrankTheKoolaid]

re

My patient, until a hand off to a MD

 

[Lozenger19]

I would say "my" because you are responsible for anything that happens to that person while under your care.

I agree. I always refer to the person as "my patient" until I handover to someone else (higher qualification or hospital)

 

[DesertMedic66]

In my paperwork I say "the patient". But otherwise I say my patient.

It's my patient until I had over patient care, then it's the patient in room G

 

[FourLoko]

PT, that's what the paperwork says

 

[Tigger]

I am my patients advocate, therefore he or she is referred to as my patient.

 

[Sandog]

I am my patients advocate, therefore he or she is referred to as my patient.

Good way to look at it.

 

[Veneficus]

Doesn't this really depend on the context it is used in?

"A patient..." when talking with collegues/friends.

"The patient..." when formally presenting the case.

"My patient..." When describing a person you are actively taking care of.

I am something of a patient advocate myself, but that doesn't make them all mine. I barely get any rest as it is, I don't need to claim ownership and therefore a moral/legal relationship with every sick person in the hospital.

 

[mycrofft]

But how do you/we feel about it?

?...........

 

[Sam Adams]

If the person in question actually needs an ambulance and by default an Emergency Room, it's "My patient" even after transfer of care. If said person doesn't need anything, they become the non possesive "the patient".

 

[Steveb]

I always just say 'the patient'.
The reason why is because we hand over our patients to paramedics so saying 'My patient' just doesn't sound right.

 

[MS Medic]

I think it is simply a matter of personal preference and how you like to reference them. Otherwise I feel it is just an issue of semantics. Personally, they are a patient.