Viewpoint: Promoting Trust and Morale by Changing How the Word Provider is Used

Jun 21

An image of the torso of a white man in a white lab coat with his hands crossed, a stethoscope in his right hand.

Use of the term provider in health care originated in government and insurance sectors to designate health care delivery organizations. In 1965, Medicare began using provider for entities qualifying to receive Medicare reimbursement.

Over the years, the use of the term has expanded to include an ever-enlarging set of individual health care professionals who qualify for payment, especially those in primary care, in addition to institutions (eg, hospitals, clinics, treatment centers) and third-party payers. As such, the term has become part of everyday language in health care delivery, for example, the popular use of the phrase primary care provider.

While convenient and a source of pride for some, such use also poses risk for unintentional and potentially detrimental consequences.

The word provider comes from the world of commerce and delivery of commoditized services. It makes no reference to professionalism or to trusted therapeutic relationships. In addition, the term provider is ambiguous and confusing, both for professionals and patients.

When used by clinical practice managers and system leadership, this linguistically insensitive behavior devoid of a professional’s title is perceived as a lack of respect, which could threaten professional satisfac tion and commitment.

In a new article, John W. Beasley, MD; Richard G. Roberts, MD, JD; and Allan H. Goroll, MD advance the idea that the term provider should be limited to its original meaning of designating organizations that deliver health care, but even with that use, specific terms for the organizations are preferred (eg, hospitals, clinics, treatment centers).

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