Patient Experiences of Disrespectful or Judgmental Language in Medical Records

In this survey study, 1 in 6 US adults reported DJL in medical records (or in health care experiences for nonportal users), disproportionately affecting those with low income or chronic pain, and DJL was associated with diminished clinician documentation trust. Patient-anticipated consequences such as diminished intent to return to clinician suggest important quality of care and system-level implications. Realizing the promise of health information transparency will require concurrent reform in respectful language in clinical documentation and health care encounters.

Corresponding Author: Natasha Steele, MD, MPH, Stanford University School of Medicine, 500 Pasteur Dr, Palo Alto, CA 94304 (nzsteele@stanford.edu).

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