How Providers Can Identify and Prevent Bias in EHRs

Language norms used by providers in patient medical records have perpetuated racial and economic bias, identifying a need for clinicians to be more intentional at exploring and articulating the root of a person's health problems.

Electronic health records carry negative patient descriptors based on race, insurance provider and marital status, according to a report published this week in Health Affairs. That's raising concerns about bias and stigma revealed through electronic health records and its potential to exacerbate healthcare disparities during a pivotal time in healthcare.

The study found that some patient populations had more than double the odds of having at least one negative descriptor within their clinical notes.