Corporate Speak and the Psychiatric Profession

Authors: Daniel J Luchins

Publish Date: 2007/01/25

Volume: 34, Issue: 4, Pages: 421-423

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Abstract

Every profession has its own nomenclature Initiation into the profession involves learning this language Medicine also has it language mostly Latin or Greek words that can transform ordinary matters such as a sore muscle into a myalgia and many sore muscles into polymyalgia We continue to use these words when describing clinical matters But in other domains there has been an increased use of words from the world of business Phrases such as the “the bottom line” have become ubiquitous Along with these phrases of course come a series of practices adapted from modern corporate culture We have “retreats” to do “strategic planning” to perfect our “vision and mission statements” define “goals” and delineate our “objectives and work plans” We perform “continuous quality improvement” With this language comes a change in how we describe and perceive our roles We are “providers” of health care and the people who traditionally were known as “patients” are our “customers” or

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