This study emphasizes the importance of using unbiased language in medical settings to ensure high-quality care and effective communication between healthcare professionals and patients. The use of negatively biased language can negatively impact empathy levels and hinder the retention of critical health details necessary for accurate diagnosis and treatment decisions.
The implications of these findings are significant for medical practice as clinicians hold a vital role in patients’ healthcare journeys. By recognizing and consciously dismantling societal stereotypes and unconscious biases, healthcare professionals can foster stronger relationships with their patients, promote accurate diagnoses, and enhance the overall quality of care provided.
In conclusion, this research highlights the profound effects of negatively biased language on clinicians’ empathy and retention of critical health details. By actively choosing unbiased language, healthcare professionals can contribute to creating a more inclusive, empathetic, and equitable healthcare system for all individuals.