Patients Reported Disrespectful Medical Record Language
Over one-sixth of adults encountered judgmental documentation, raising concerns about future quality of care.
Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in Arthritis
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Do you trust that the notes in your medical records are written in a respectful manner?
A survey of 500 adults conducted between November 21 and December 4, 2025, revealed that 17.1% of people encountered disrespectful language in their medical records. Patients reported that such language significantly impacts their trust and willingness to return to a clinician.
Why it matters
The study was conducted to evaluate the patient perspective on stigmatizing language following the implementation of the 21st Century Cures Act information-blocking rule. This finding highlights that clinicians' documentation habits directly influence patient retention and perceived care quality.
In a survey of 500 adults, 17.1% reported encountering disrespectful or judgmental language in medical records. Findings indicate that patients with chronic pain (adjusted odds ratio 3.25) and low income (adjusted odds ratio 2.64) were more likely to report such experiences.
The players
Stanford University School of Medicine
An academic institution that led this survey on patient experiences with clinical documentation and medical record transparency.
The details
The survey assessed how clinicians document interactions and how those notes are perceived by patients. When patients encounter stigmatizing language in their records, they experience diminished trust in the clinician's ability to document their health needs accurately. This documentation style is associated with a 5.76 adjusted odds ratio for diminished trust and creates significant barriers to ongoing patient-provider relationships.
Timeline
Researchers conducted a survey of 500 adults from November 21 to December 4, 2025.
Health Landscape
This research evaluates the unintended patient-facing consequences of the 21st Century Cures Act information-blocking rule. It sits at the intersection of medical record transparency and the ongoing effort to standardize patient-provider communication.
Patients who feel stigmatized by their medical records should discuss their concerns directly with their doctor to ensure documentation accurately reflects their symptoms. Requesting access to your own digital health notes allows you to monitor for judgmental language and address it during visits.
The takeaway
Patient trust is heavily dependent on how clinicians record observations and interactions in the electronic health record. If you are concerned about your own chart, you have the right to request a summary of your visit and clarify any terms that feel judgmental or inaccurate with your physician.
Further reading
For more on managing long-term care and building a strong medical team, visit Arthritis.
Source note: This article includes information reported by MedPage Today.
Live Poll
Do you trust that the notes in your medical records are written in a respectful manner?
