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Is the word pacientes the same in Brazilian and European Portuguese?

Yes

The word "pacientes" has the exact same meaning, spelling, and grammatical function in both Brazilian and Continental Portuguese. It can function as a noun (plural of paciente, meaning "patients") or as an adjective (plural of paciente, meaning "patient people").

The only difference is pronunciation. In Brazilian Portuguese, the vowels are generally more open and clearly articulated. In Continental Portuguese, unstressed vowels (like the "e" in the final syllable) tend to be reduced or almost silent, and the rhythm is much more stress-timed, which can make the word sound more "clipped" to a Brazilian ear.

Brazilian Portuguese Examples

  1. Os médicos estão atendendo os pacientes. (The doctors are seeing the patients.)
  2. Os pacientes estão esperando na sala. (The patients are waiting in the room.)
  3. Precisamos de funcionários mais pacientes. (We need more patient employees.)
  4. O hospital recebeu novos pacientes hoje. (The hospital received new patients today.)
  5. Os pacientes precisam de cuidados especiais. (The patients need special care.)

Continental Portuguese Examples

  1. Os médicos estão a consultar os pacientes. (The doctors are consulting the patients.)
  2. Os pacientes estão à espera na sala. (The patients are waiting in the room.)
  3. É necessário que os funcionários sejam pacientes. (It is necessary that the employees be patient.)
  4. O hospital recebeu novos pacientes hoje. (The hospital received new patients today.)
  5. Os pacientes necessitam de cuidados especiais. (The patients need special care.)