Learning objectives

• Recognize that stigmatizing language in clinical documentation and oral presentations can propagate bias from one clinician to another, deleteriously influencing diagnostic and treatment decisions
• Identify stigmatizing language within a sample written clinical vignette
• Revise a written vignette to use person-first, antioppressive language

Documentation and oral presentation serve several critical functions within a clinical team. Depending on how patients are described, including historically stigmatized descriptors, clinicians may perpetuate the codification of racial disparities in service delivery, teaching trainees racist ideas and communicating biases to other clinicians. Current research has shown that documentation has the power to influence diagnostic and treatment decisions independent of other factors. In this session, participants will recognize that stigmatizing language in clinical documentation and oral presentations can propagate bias from one clinician to another, deleteriously influencing diagnostic and treatment decisions. And, participants will reflect on anti-racist documentation practices using sample vignettes and case examples.