Patient


Part of a series on
Concepts
Doctor-patient relationship Medical ethics Patient participation Patient-reported outcome Patient safety
Consent
Informed consent Adherence Informal coercion Motivational interviewing Involuntary treatment
Rights
Patients' rights Pregnant patients' rights Disability rights movement Patient's Charter Medical law
Approaches
Patient advocacy Patient-centered care Patient and public involvement
Harm
Adverse effect Medical error Patient abuse Elder abuse
Medical sociology
Sick role

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, optometrist, dentist, veterinarian, or other health care provider.