Gonneke asked" my understanding a
clinician is a docor, physician, or other academic medical person." 

Sometimes words and terms are adopted by professions  and take on a modified meaning. For example, if you remember Gonnecke, we discussed how bonding has a different meaning in psychological literature than in the dictionary and lay terms. 

"Clinician" in the academic and professional circles that I am acquainted with, refers to one who engages in professional relationships with clients for the purpose of enhancing client well being. The method of enriching the status of the client varies and reflects the individual clinical training of each practitioner. Clinical interactions include, but are not limited to, the provision of information, physical, emotional or cognitive assessment, active listening and reflecting, psychotherapy and client focused interventions.  

 Interactions between lactation consultant and their clients clearly fall within this definition and thus, lactation consultants  would be considered clinicians.       

Keren Epstein-Gilboa MEd BScN RN FACCE LCCE IBCLC
PhD (Candidate) 

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