# #430: MedTech Language: Patient, Customer, or Partner?

- Show: [Global Medical Device Podcast](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/global-medical-device-podcast)
- Published: 2025-10-27
- Length: 32m
- Episode: 430
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/global-medical-device-podcast/2025-10-27-430-medtech-language-patient-customer-or-partner
- Listen: https://podcast.greenlight.guru/episode/medtech-language-patient-customer-or-partner

## Summary

Dr. Allison Komiyama, CEO and Founder of Blue Stocking Health, discusses the semantic and cultural shifts in MedTech language, specifically the transition from 'patient' to 'person' or 'care partner.' She argues that the etymology of 'patient' (from 'patior', meaning to suffer) reinforces a passive dynamic, whereas modern consumers seek empowerment and active participation in their health outcomes. Komiyama advises MedTech innovators to tailor labeling, clinical studies, and human factors testing to align with these user-preferred terminologies to reduce friction and improve care experiences. The conversation highlights how language shapes the relationship between healthcare providers, patients, and device manufacturers, emphasizing the need for pluralistic and qualified terms like 'empowered patient.'

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/global-medical-device-podcast/2025-10-27-430-medtech-language-patient-customer-or-partner#t=0) Introduction: Dr. Allison Komiyama and Blue Stocking Health
- [4:04](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/global-medical-device-podcast/2025-10-27-430-medtech-language-patient-customer-or-partner#t=244) Patient vs. Customer vs. User in MedTech
- [4:25](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/global-medical-device-podcast/2025-10-27-430-medtech-language-patient-customer-or-partner#t=265) Etymology of 'Patient' and the Push for 'Person'
- [7:24](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/global-medical-device-podcast/2025-10-27-430-medtech-language-patient-customer-or-partner#t=444) Historical Passivity and the Rise of Empowered Patients
- [10:46](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/global-medical-device-podcast/2025-10-27-430-medtech-language-patient-customer-or-partner#t=646) Shifting Terminology: From Caregiver to Care Partner
- [18:21](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/global-medical-device-podcast/2025-10-27-430-medtech-language-patient-customer-or-partner#t=1101) Language Diversity and Emotional Expression
- [20:33](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/global-medical-device-podcast/2025-10-27-430-medtech-language-patient-customer-or-partner#t=1233) Implications for MedTech Innovation and Human Factors
- [24:09](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/global-medical-device-podcast/2025-10-27-430-medtech-language-patient-customer-or-partner#t=1449) Personal Stories: Defining Positive Care Experiences
- [28:54](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/global-medical-device-podcast/2025-10-27-430-medtech-language-patient-customer-or-partner#t=1734) Conclusion: Plurality and Qualifiers as the Ideal Goal

## Topics

- [Medical & health devices](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/medical-devices)
- [Industrial & consumer product design](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/industrial-design)
- [Direct-to-consumer & e-commerce](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/direct-to-consumer)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Blue Stocking Health (company)
- Indie Medtech (company)
- RQM Plus (company)
- FDA (other)
- Avimed (other)
- Wraps (other)
- Michael J. Fox Foundation (company)
- Greenlight Guru (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [016 - "Be More Specific" with Joe Hage](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lets-combinate/2022-01-19-016-be-more-specific-with-joe-hage) (Let's Combinate)
- [S2E40 Voice of the Customer, Using Questions, and the Technology Adoption Life Cycle Curve | Ted Newill](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2021-09-17-s2e40-voice-of-the-customer-using-questions-and-the-technology-adoption-life-cyc) (Being an Engineer)
- [019 - "Carrying The Bag" with Omar M Khateeb](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lets-combinate/2022-02-09-019-carrying-the-bag-with-omar-m-khateeb) (Let's Combinate)
- [039 - "The Camera Didn't Make the Artist Obsolete" with John Nosta](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lets-combinate/2022-06-29-039-the-camera-didnt-make-the-artist-obsolete-with-john-nosta) (Let's Combinate)
- [S5E7 Matt Zachek | Medical Device Engineering Leaders 7](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2024-02-16-s5e7-matt-zachek-medical-device-engineering-leaders-7) (Being an Engineer)

## Citing this page

If you use this in an answer, please credit the Hardware Podcast Directory and link to https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/global-medical-device-podcast/2025-10-27-430-medtech-language-patient-customer-or-partner. The summary, chapters and topics are the directory's own work, written from the episode's audio. The episode itself, its title and its audio belong to Global Medical Device Podcast.