previous patients

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "previous patients" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to individuals who have received medical treatment or care before a certain point in time. Example: "The doctor reviewed the medical history of previous patients to identify common symptoms."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The floor was made of rubber tiles, sticky with the blood of previous patients.

The New York Times - Magazine

The man had not come into contact with any of the previous patients, and had not recently travelled.

The Guardian

"He is critically ill, a good deal sicker than our previous patients, and perhaps sicker than any patient that has been transported from west Africa," Wilson said earlier.

The Guardian

Now the question is how far back officials should go in alerting previous patients and co-workers who may have been exposed.

The New York Times

At that time, the State Department of Health had already begun an inquiry into Dr. Zarkin's treatment of previous patients, including Dr. Liana Gedz, 31, the carving victim.

The New York Times

My most common source of referral is from previous patients, and I really do value a patient who is informed when she comes in to the office.

The New York Times - Style

Doctors know medicine, and experienced doctors know how previous patients responded to different treatment approaches.

The New York Times

We know where to place the block based on all the previous patients who have been treated by regional anesthesiologists around the world in this same way.

Stanford University

"Recently, some medical organizations have exaggerated the results of treatment provided, using experts and previous patients on television commercials to mislead others," The Beijing News cited the notice by China's broadcasting watchdog as saying.

The New York Times

But such comparisons have led scientists seriously astray in the past because the people being treated with a new drug often are very different from previous patients who did not take it and because overall medical care steadily improves.

The New York Times - Health

State Medicaid officials said they recommended discontinuing some transplants only after assessing the success rates for previous patients.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing research, differentiate between outcomes observed in "previous patients" versus those in a current study group to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Don't assume that treatment outcomes for "previous patients" will automatically apply to new cases. Individual patient factors always play a significant role.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "previous patients" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It identifies a group of individuals who have received medical care in the past. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

42%

News & Media

33%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "previous patients" is a grammatically sound and widely used phrase to denote individuals with a history of medical treatment. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is generally accepted and common in various contexts. Usage spans from scientific research and news reports to general discussions about healthcare. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by distinguishing between data or outcomes from "previous patients" and those of current subjects. Alternatives like "former patients" or "past patients" offer similar meanings and can add variety to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

former patients

Uses "former" as a synonym for "previous", emphasizing a past association with the healthcare provider or institution.

past patients

Employs "past" instead of "previous", highlighting the temporal aspect of their patient status.

prior patients

Substitutes "prior" for "previous", indicating an earlier or preceding patient relationship.

patients treated previously

Rephrases to emphasize the action of treating patients, placing "previously" as an adverb.

patients seen before

Uses a more conversational tone, replacing "previous" with "seen before".

patients under previous care

Highlights the aspect of having received care in the past.

historically treated patients

Uses "historically" to emphasize a longer timeframe of past treatment.

patients with prior history

Focuses on their medical history as patients.

individuals formerly under treatment

Formal phrasing, using "individuals" and "formerly" for a more clinical tone.

patients who received earlier treatment

Clarifies the timeline of treatment received.

FAQs

What is another way to say "previous patients"?

You can use alternatives such as "former patients", "past patients", or "prior patients" depending on the context.

How is data from "previous patients" used in medical research?

Data from "previous patients" can be used as a historical control, to identify trends, or to develop predictive models. However, it's crucial to account for changes in treatment protocols and patient demographics over time.

Is it appropriate to contact "previous patients" for feedback?

Yes, contacting "previous patients" for feedback is appropriate, especially to improve services or gather insights for research. However, ensure you have proper consent and adhere to privacy regulations.

What ethical considerations are involved when using data from "previous patients"?

Ethical considerations include maintaining patient confidentiality, obtaining informed consent for data usage, and ensuring that data is anonymized to protect privacy. Following HIPAA guidelines is essential.