Person-Centered language in the ED
with Dr. Barbara Liu and Julia Lee

This talk focuses on exploring the connection between language and health equity, with an emphasis on person-centered language (PCL) in acute care settings. The importance of using specific, objective, and respectful language to enhance equitable care is highlighted. Stigmatizing language and biases in healthcare are discussed, with examples provided to illustrate their impact on perpetuating inequities. The impact of stigma and implicit bias on patient assessment, decision making, and care planning is examined, including a study on racial bias in medical chart descriptors. Dr. Barbara Liu discusses the relevance of person-centered language in the context of dementia and responsive behaviors, stressing the need to use it when describing and documenting patients. The presentation emphasizes the positive impact of accurate and detailed documentation on patient care and transitions between healthcare settings. Healthcare professionals are urged to challenge their biases, advocate for person-centered language, and actively practice its use in patient interactions to promote health equity and combat implicit biases.