The patient as sufferer.

Abstract

The use of the term sufferer to replace patient has become increasingly common. This paper examines the varied meanings implicit in the word sufferer from the Judaeo-Christian perspective. This includes the biblical themes of suffering as human nature, as punishment, as a test, as atonement and as liberation and deliverance. The consequences of these themes for the sufferer's role are examined, particularly the sufferer as accepting and the sufferer as victim. It is argued that replacing the medical model, implied by 'patient' with a theological model, implied by 'sufferer' does not free the person from the constraints of a damaging label.