Human-Centred Health

Terminology

Terminology and language is important in user involvement work.

Terminology and language

Terminology and language is important in user involvement work. There are lots of similar concepts with subtly important differences and personal preference also comes into play. I am not particularly precious about how we refer to concepts as long I understand how you use and understand terms and, more importantly, we are clear on what we are trying to achieve. I can help organisations with:

  • Person-centred / patient-centred / human-centred quality improvement (QI)

  • Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) in service delivery, research and education

  • Public Engagement (PE) in service delivery, research and education

  • Patient, Carer and Public Involvement and Engagement (PCPIE) in service delivery, research and education

  • Involvement in individual's own health and care through self-management, shared decision-making and engagement in keeping healthy

  • Patient choice in service delivery

  • Participation in research

It's also important for me to state that I use the terms 'user' and 'patient' or 'carer' interchangeably to cover a variety of terms for the people who use health and care services – these include, but are not limited to: patients, service users, customers, consumers, clients, mothers, parents, lay people, carers, and families. I am happy to adapt my language to whatever is most appropriate for your context and to your users.

 

Fiona McKenzie trading as Human-Centred Health