Outdated medical language that casts doubt, belittles, or blames patients jeopardises the therapeutic relationship and is overdue for change?

https://www.bmj.com/content/377/bmj-2021-066720

Key messages

• Some commonly used language in healthcare confers petulance on patients, renders them passive, or blames them for poor outcomes
• Such language negatively affects patient-provider relationships and is outdated
• Research is needed to explore the impact that such language could have on patient outcomes
• Clinicians should consider how their language affects attitudes and change as necessary