Patients' Or Patient's???

[ilovemarkb]

However Mitchell (1997) argues that large volumes of information should only be given to patients dependant on their preference and need

please help

[boxtops]

None at all, what you do need is a comma (and correct spelling of dependent if this is for an essay - "large volumes of information should only be given to patients, dependent on their preference and need".

You only put in the apostrophe if there is ownership, there isn't in this case.

[2sp_]

Neither.

It should be patients, as it is plural not possessive.

[Fitzer]

Neither from the sentence given, patients appears to simply be a plural so it would appear to be correct as it stands.

[The Builder]

None at all Mrs b

[The Builder]

A comma after "however" too

[gingejbee]

I'm interested in why you think there should be one at all!

[ilovemarkb]

oh goodness!!! Im hopeless !!! but thanks guys !!

[Peter Pedant]

change dependant to depending.
no apostrophe for reasons given
comma after patients, or else it means that large vol should be given to only to patients who are depending....

[ilovemarkb]

ha ha thanks!!!

[jeffa]

Don't feel too bad. Lots of people struggle with apostrophes:
http://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/ChatterBank/Question1289589.html

[Baldric]

Nice one jeffa, I just picked-up the same link, then checked the question number
;-)