In a new policy paper published in Annals of Internal Medicine, the American College of Physicians (ACP) argues that the term “provider” is not merely imprecise — it is ethically consequential.
Authored by Lois Snyder Sulmasy, JD, and Jan K. Carney, MD, MPH, on behalf of the ACP Ethics, Professionalism and Human Rights Committee, the paper contends that labeling physicians as “providers” contributes to the deprofessionalization of medicine in an era of commercialization and corporatization.
Key arguments:
- Language shapes professional identity. “Provider” flattens distinctions between physicians, institutions, and commercial entities.
- Medicine is relational, not transactional. The patient–physician relationship is grounded in ethical duties — beneficence, nonmaleficence, autonomy, and justice — not service delivery.
- Professional accountability matters. Physicians are bound by publicly professed ethical commitments that exceed commercial obligations.
- Terminology influences trust. Words like “covered lives” and “leakage” reflect industry framing that risks undermining patient-centered care.
ACP formally recommends:
- Physicians should be referred to as physicians, not providers.
- When referencing broader care teams, use clinicians or health care professionals.
The broader signal:
As healthcare becomes increasingly corporatized and technology-driven, language may be one of the last frontiers preserving professional identity and ethical clarity.