a person who is receiving, has received, or may receive health care services. This includes individuals facing health-related decisions (such as whether to undergo screening), those being evaluated for a condition (diagnostic testing), or those undergoing treatment for an existing disease. In broader contexts, the term also encompasses people seeking preventive care or participating in health programs.
Abbreviation: Pt
Synonyms: Health Care Consumer, Health Consumer, End User (in the context of patient decision aids)
Example
A 52-year-old woman considering whether to have a mammogram is a patient because she is making a health-related screening decision and may receive care based on the outcome of that decision.