How words discredit: A taxonomy of stigmatizing language in the electronic health record
Stigmatizing language in EHRs is not limited to discrete terms but is embedded in broader linguistic practices that shape how patients are represented and understood, particularly those describing how they fail to align with clinical expectations. This language may serve to document professional challenges, but it nonetheless reinforces paternalistic norms and compromises care. Understanding these dynamics is critical for moving toward patient-centered documentation and reducing harm in the EHR.
Authors
- Somnath Saha (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8305-3495)
- Kenneth E. Warner (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8214-1776)
- Paul Drew
- Mary Catherine Beach (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1112-6309)
- Amanda McArthur (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0912-8006)
- Alya Ahmad (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0003-3902-048X)
- Anne R Links
Institutions
- Johns Hopkins University (US)
- Johns Hopkins Medicine (US)
- University of York (GB)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Patient Education and Counseling
- Published
- 2026-02-05
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pec.2026.109520
- Primary Topic
- Electronic Health Records Systems
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00