el paciente primero
/el paθjente pɾimeɾo/from spelling rules
The phrase "patient first" in Spanish is el paciente primero.
This phrase describes a healthcare philosophy that prioritizes the needs and preferences of the patient above all else.
How do you pronounce it?
/el paθjente pɾimeɾo/
Did you know?
- The word paciente comes from the Latin patientem, which means 'one who suffers' or 'endures'. This reflects a history where being a patient was defined by the act of enduring an illness rather than receiving a cure.
- In many Spanish hospitals, the philosophy of 'patient first' is expressed as atención centrada en el paciente. This shifts the focus from a sequence of priority to the idea of the patient being the 'center' of care.
- The word paciente is a double-meaning word in Spanish. It describes both a person receiving medical treatment and someone who possesses the virtue of patience.
Examples in context
- Me duele mucho el pecho y tengo dificultad para respirar.I have a lot of chest pain and difficulty breathing.
- El lema de este hospital es el paciente primero.The motto of this hospital is patient first.
Example conversation
Two medical colleagues discussing their approach to care.
- ElenaMateo, ¿cómo manejamos este nuevo protocolo?Mateo, how do we handle this new protocol?
- MateoSimplemente recuerda: el paciente primero, siempre.Just remember: patient first, always.
- ElenaTienes razón, Elena quiere que seamos más empáticos.You're right, Elena wants us to be more empathetic.
- MateoExacto, esa es la base de nuestro trabajo.Exactly, that is the basis of our work.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries el, paciente, primero, CC BY-SA 4.0.
