Editorial: In defence of patients

Over the years, there has been a continuing debate over how to refer to people in our care. The choice of title that we use is more than a semantic exercise. The words that we choose are powerful metaphors that convey meaning about how we conceive those in our care and our expectations. Language induces us to comprehend objects or people in distinct ways. For the person labelled through a title, the language chosen constructs an identity that conveys meaning about their attributes, status and relationship (McLaughlin 2009). Choosing a title also conveys to others our intentions and values. Moreover, language is not power-neutral. Titles are dominant discursive formations that reflect ideological process and convey and reinforce rules for thought and action (Fairclough 2001). The discursive power of words not only shapes social expectations and relationships, the power of words can also shape culture and material outcomes.