Appropriate Terminology when Referring to Vulnerable Populations

Appropriate Terminology when Referring to Vulnerable Populations

This topic goes back to the old saying taught during childhood, “if you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all.” Moreover, as healthcare providers we all took an oath to provide non-discriminatory patient centered care. The use of inappropriate terminology completely contradicts that oath. When referring to vulnerable populations, it is vital to use respectful and inclusive terminology that acknowledges them as a person, their dignity and individuality aside from their medical diagnosis. Not labeling a person by their medical diagnosis is known as person-first language (Carroll, 2019). The complexity of vulnerability and marginalization encountered by populations are beyond what most can imagine and drastically affect their health and access to healthcare. This complexity doesn’t encompass the added effects of stigma perpetrated in healthcare. T