Client vs. Patient — What's the Difference?
By Maham Liaqat & Urooj Arif — Updated on May 13, 2024
Clients seek professional services voluntarily, often in business or therapy, while patients receive medical care, typically involving health diagnosis and treatment.
Difference Between Client and Patient
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
A client is an individual or entity that engages the services of a professional or organization, often on a voluntary basis and for various purposes including legal, financial, or consulting services. On the other hand, a patient is specifically someone who receives medical attention, care, or treatment from a healthcare provider due to health issues.
Clients have a more collaborative and often contractual relationship with their service providers, such as lawyers, accountants, or therapists, where the terms of engagement are clearly defined. Whereas patients usually find themselves in a more dependent relationship with their healthcare providers, relying on the practitioner’s expertise for diagnosis and treatment of illnesses.
The term "client" implies a certain level of autonomy and control over the services provided, with the freedom to choose among providers and to terminate the services at their discretion. Conversely, the term "patient" suggests a need for medical attention and a more prescriptive interaction where choices may be limited by medical protocols or the urgency of health conditions.
Clients are often involved in a mutual exchange where services are rendered for payment, with expectations for specific outcomes or benefits from the professional relationship. Meanwhile, patients are primarily concerned with receiving effective medical treatment and care, which focuses more on health improvements rather than mutual benefit.
In professional settings outside of healthcare, client relationships can last as long as the client feels satisfied with the service and believes their needs are being met. In contrast, the duration of a patient's relationship with a healthcare provider is usually determined by the course of treatment necessary to address their health concerns.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Engages services by choice for various needs
Seeks medical care for health concerns
Relationship
Collaborative and contractual
Dependent and care-based
Autonomy
High autonomy in service selection
Limited, often guided by medical advice
Focus of Interaction
Mutual benefit and service satisfaction
Health improvement and medical treatment
Duration of Relationship
As needed or desired by the client
Determined by treatment necessity
Compare with Definitions
Client
Someone who uses the services of a professional individual or organization, especially in fields such as law, consulting, or real estate.
As her client, the lawyer prepared all the documents needed for her case.
Patient
An individual receiving medical care or treatment.
The patient was scheduled for surgery on Thursday.
Client
A customer or purchaser of professional services.
The financial advisor reviewed the investment plan with his client.
Patient
Someone under the care of a medical professional.
The doctor asked the patient to continue taking the prescribed medication.
Client
An entity that engages with a service provider for professional advice or assistance.
The clients of the IT consultancy sought advice on improving their cybersecurity measures.
Patient
A person treated by a doctor, dentist, or other health professional.
The dentist's patient was relieved to hear that the procedure would be painless.
Client
An individual or business that purchases or contracts services from a professional or company.
The client met with the marketing firm to discuss strategies for the new product launch.
Patient
A person in a hospital or medical setting undergoing treatment.
Nurses attended to the patients in the recovery room.
Client
The recipient of a service provided in a professional context.
The architect presented the building plans to his client.
Patient
The recipient of health-related services from a healthcare provider.
The patient discussed her symptoms in detail with her physician.
Client
A person or organization using the services of a lawyer or other professional person or company
Insurance tailor-made to a client's specific requirements
Patient
A patient is any recipient of health care services that are performed by healthcare professionals. The patient is most often ill or injured and in need of treatment by a physician, nurse, psychologist, dentist, veterinarian, or other health care provider.
Client
(in a network) a desktop computer or workstation that is capable of obtaining information and applications from a server
Workstation clients are going to be easy to install
Patient
Bearing or enduring pain, difficulty, provocation, or annoyance with calmness
Tried to remain patient when the airline announced the flight was delayed.
Client
(in ancient Rome) a plebeian under the protection of a patrician.
Patient
Marked by or exhibiting calm endurance of pain, difficulty, provocation, or annoyance
Responded to the accusations with a patient smile.
Client
The party for which professional services are rendered, as by an attorney.
Patient
Tolerant; understanding
An unfailingly patient leader and guide.
Client
A customer or patron
Clients of the hotel.
Patient
Persevering; constant
With patient industry, she revived the failing business and made it thrive.
Client
A person using the services of a social services agency.
Patient
Capable of calmly awaiting an outcome or result; not hasty or impulsive.
Client
One that depends on the protection of another.
Patient
Capable of bearing or enduring pain, difficulty, provocation, or annoyance
“My uncle Toby was a man patient of injuries” (Laurence Sterne).
Client
A client state.
Patient
One who receives medical attention, care, or treatment.
Client
(Computers) A computer or program that can download files for manipulation, run applications, or request application-based services from a file server.
Patient
(Linguistics) A noun or noun phrase identifying one that is acted upon or undergoes an action. Also called goal.
Client
A customer, a buyer or receiver of goods or services.
Patient
(Obsolete) One who suffers.
Client
(computing) The role of a computer application or system that requests and/or consumes the services provided by another having the role of server.
Patient
(of a person) Willing to wait if necessary; not losing one's temper while waiting.
Be patient: your friends will arrive in a few hours.
Client
A person who receives help or services from a professional such as a lawyer or accountant.
Patient
Constant in pursuit or exertion; persevering; calmly diligent.
Patient endeavour
A patient wait
Patient analysis
Client
(legal) A person who employs or retains an attorney to represent him or her in any legal matter, or one who merely divulges confidential matters to an attorney while pursuing professional assistance without subsequently retaining the attorney.
Patient
(obsolete) Physically able to suffer or bear.
Client
A citizen who put himself under the protection of a man of distinction and influence, who was called his patron.
Patient
A person or animal who receives treatment from a doctor or other medically educated person.
Client
A dependent; one under the protection of another.
I do think they are your friends and clients,And fearful to disturb you.
Patient
The noun or noun phrase that is semantically on the receiving end of a verb's action.
The subject of a passive verb is usually a patient.
Client
One who consults a legal adviser, or submits his cause to his management.
Patient
One who, or that which, is passively affected; a passive recipient.
Client
A person who seeks the advice of a lawyer
Patient
Having the quality of enduring; physically able to suffer or bear.
Patient of severest toil and hardship.
Client
Someone who pays for goods or services
Patient
Undergoing pains, trials, or the like, without murmuring or fretfulness; bearing up with equanimity against trouble; long-suffering.
Client
(computer science) any computer that is hooked up to a computer network
Patient
Constant in pursuit or exertion; persevering; calmly diligent; as, patient endeavor.
Whatever I have done is due to patient thought.
Patient
Expectant with calmness, or without discontent; not hasty; not overeager; composed.
Not patient to expect the turns of fate.
Patient
Forbearing; long-suffering.
Be patient toward all men.
Patient
One who, or that which, is passively affected; a passive recipient.
Malice is a passion so impetuous and precipitate that it often involves the agent and the patient.
Patient
A person under medical or surgical treatment; - correlative to physician or nurse.
Like a physician, . . . seeing his patient in a pestilent fever.
Patient
To compose, to calm.
Patient
A person who requires medical care;
The number of emergency patients has grown rapidly
Patient
The semantic role of an entity that is not the agent but is directly involved in or affected by the happening denoted by the verb in the clause
Patient
Enduring trying circumstances with even temper or characterized by such endurance;
A patient smile
Was patient with the children
An exact and patient scientist
Please be patient
Patient
Enduring without protest or complaint
Common Curiosities
Can a person be both a client and a patient?
Yes, an individual can be both depending on the context, such as receiving health care (patient) and legal advice (client).
How do professionals ensure confidentiality for clients and patients?
Both are protected under confidentiality agreements and privacy laws, which professionals must adhere to strictly.
How do the expectations differ between clients and patients?
Clients expect service satisfaction and value, while patients focus on effective treatment and health improvement.
What is the primary difference between a client and a patient?
The primary difference is their contexts; a client engages services like legal, financial, etc., while a patient receives medical care.
What legal protections exist for patients in medical settings?
Patients are protected by laws ensuring the right to treatment, privacy, and recourse in cases of medical negligence.
How do client and patient interactions with professionals differ in terms of communication?
Client interactions are typically more collaborative, whereas patient interactions are more advisory and directive based on medical expertise.
What determines how long someone remains a client?
The duration is usually determined by client satisfaction and the ongoing need for the service.
What kind of rights do patients have under medical care?
Patients have rights to informed consent, privacy of their medical information, and to receive safe and appropriate medical care.
Is the financial transaction different for clients and patients?
Yes, clients typically pay directly for services rendered, while patients may have costs covered or shared by insurance.
Who has more autonomy in deciding services, a client or a patient?
Clients generally have more autonomy in choosing services and providers compared to patients, who may be limited by medical necessity.
What impacts the professional relationship more, client feedback or patient health outcomes?
For clients, feedback directly influences the relationship; for patients, the effectiveness of their health outcomes is more significant.
What roles do professionals play in the lives of clients and patients?
In clients’ lives, professionals provide services that help achieve personal or business goals; in patients’ lives, they provide care essential for health and well-being.
Can a client refuse a recommended service?
Yes, clients can refuse services if they disagree with the provider's recommendations without immediate health risks.
What influence does professional advice have on clients and patients?
Professional advice guides clients in decision-making and strategic planning, while it directs patients towards specific medical treatments and health management strategies.
How do service termination conditions differ for clients and patients?
Clients can usually terminate services more freely, while patients might change providers based on health outcomes or treatment satisfaction.
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
