loads of patients

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "loads of patients" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is commonly used in spoken English and informal writing, but it can also be used in more formal writing, depending on the context. Example: The hospital was filled with loads of patients waiting to be seen by the doctor.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

"I have loads of patients with a range of conditions, from MS to rheumatoid arthritis.

Vice

Certified CAM physicians documented significantly higher loads of patients with severe symptoms (p < 0.01) but no significant difference was seen for noncertified CAM (p = 0.59).

BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine

One of our most striking findings was that the mean viral loads of patients visiting NUH were ≈1 log10 higher for seasonal than for pandemic influenza.

Emerging Infectious Diseases

We used only routinely collected program data which did not have details of HIV-RNA viral loads of patients and antiretroviral treatment histories of patients already on ART at the time of TB diagnosis (such as antiretroviral resistance, virological treatment failure and clinical immunological failure).

BMC Infectious Diseases

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Researchers then gather loads of patient data and plug them into a computer in search of statistically significant associations between specific groups of people in the study and the incidence of a particular disease.

The New York Times

Since the government recently scrapped fees in rural clinics, the daily load of patients in some places has doubled.

The Economist

As long as doctors practice under a system of price controls, they will react, as might be expected, by raising their load of patients to cover their mounting expenses.

The New York Times

In my first two weeks as a qualified occupational therapist at Roshni I was trapped in school by a cow, forced to dive into oncoming traffic to avoid a group of fighting donkeys, and handed the toughest case load of patients I could have imagined.

The Guardian

The findings are likely to be different in non-teaching private hospitals and in state-run hospitals with a much larger load of patients and limited resources.

International Journal of Emergency Medicine

The aim of this study was to determine outcomes in the 5-year experience of a scoring system designed to reflect heterogeneity of tumor load of patients listed for HCC.

Journal of Hepatology

Table 1 Areas in most need for quality improvement identified by personnel in OPD in prioritized order Load of patients must be lower   Establish an emergency room   Triage system   More equipment   Protocols   Continue with staff meetings   Available medication for life-threatening conditions   Education of staff   Increase the number of staff   Diagnosis, definitions  .

International Journal of Emergency Medicine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the impact of a high number of patients on healthcare resources, use "loads of patients" to highlight the challenging circumstances faced by medical staff. For example, you can use the phrase to convey the pressure on staff or the strain on hospital capacity.

Common error

While acceptable in many contexts, "loads of patients" might be perceived as informal in certain formal or academic settings. Consider more neutral alternatives like "high patient volume" or "large number of patients" for a more professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "loads of patients" functions primarily as a noun phrase, describing the quantity of individuals receiving medical care. It modifies a concept related to healthcare and signifies a substantial number, often implying a burden or significant volume, consistent with examples found by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "loads of patients" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe a large number of individuals receiving medical care. According to Ludwig, the phrase is commonly used in spoken English and informal writing, but also appears in more formal contexts like news reports and scientific publications. While broadly acceptable, it might be perceived as too informal for certain academic settings, where alternatives like "high patient volume" or "large number of patients" may be more appropriate. The phrase's purpose is typically to convey the scale of patient care requirements and the impact on healthcare systems. Its usage spans scientific, news, and business contexts, making it a versatile phrase for discussing patient numbers.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

high volume of patients

Replaces "loads" with a more formal synonym, maintaining the core meaning of many patients.

large number of patients

Uses a more literal and neutral expression to convey a similar quantity of patients.

heavy patient volume

Shifts from a count to a volume, implying a burden or high capacity.

influx of patients

Suggests a sudden arrival of many patients, often due to a specific event.

high patient caseload

Focuses on the amount of work each doctor has.

significant patient burden

Highlights the burden or strain on resources due to the number of patients.

numerous patients

A simple, direct replacement emphasizing the quantity of patients.

extensive patient list

Indicates a comprehensive or long record of patients.

substantial patient base

Refers to the established clientele or group of patients a practice serves.

considerable patient population

Emphasizes a patient group as a whole.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "loads of patients" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases such as "high volume of patients", "large number of patients", or "significant patient burden" depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "loads of patients" in academic writing?

While understandable, "loads of patients" might be too informal for academic writing. Opt for alternatives like "high patient caseload" or "numerous patients" to maintain a professional tone.

What's the difference between "loads of patients" and "heavy patient volume"?

"Loads of patients" simply indicates a large quantity of patients, while "heavy patient volume" implies a strain or burden on resources due to the high number of patients. The latter is more descriptive and implies consequences.

When is it best to use "loads of patients" in my writing?

Use "loads of patients" when you want to emphasize the sheer quantity of patients, especially in contexts where informality is acceptable, such as news reports or casual descriptions of hospital situations. In formal reports, consider alternatives such as "high volume of patients".