The language used by physicians can contribute to health disparities and marginalize patient care, especially for racial and ethnic minorities, according to a new report from MedCentral. The special report, “Why the Language Used in Medicine Matters,” emphasizes the need for doctors to continually educate themselves on factors driving health inequities in their patient populations.
Dr. Jasmine Sharma, a leading expert interviewed for the report, stated, “Regardless of their training and post-graduate experiences, it’s imperative for physicians to continue learning about factors that contribute to health disparities in their patient population and to use inclusive language to provide patient-centered care.”
The report delves into issues with medical documentation and how the words clinicians choose can negatively impact quality of care. A 2021 JAMA Network Open study by Park et al. found physicians frequently used stigmatizing language in patient records.
Health disparities between racial and ethnic groups remain a persistent problem in the U.S. healthcare system, as documented by the Institute of Medicine’s landmark “Unequal Treatment” report. Recent research continues to show worse health outcomes for marginalized populations.
MedCentral plans a follow-up report examining the language used in direct patient communication. The publication invites experts to participate in a roundtable discussion on potential solutions to contact their editorial team.
See “Why the Language Used in Medicine Matters” (March 8, 2024)
