Investigating harmful language in cancer care records
Official title: Stigmatizing Language in Cancer Care Electronic Health Records
Funded at University of Minnesota · NIH-10995509 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how negative language in electronic health records might impact the care and treatment of cancer patients, with the goal of making cancer care fairer and better for everyone.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Minnesota NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Minneapolis, United States) |
| Project start | August 28, 2024 |
| Project end | August 27, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $53,716 |
| NIH project number | 1F30MD019959-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10995509 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include cancer patients who are receiving care and whose experiences may be influenced by the language used in their medical records.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not currently receiving cancer care or those whose medical records do not contain stigmatizing language may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research examines the use of stigmatizing language in electronic health records (EHR) within cancer care. It aims to identify the types of stigmatizing language used by healthcare providers and how this language may affect clinical decision-making and patient outcomes. By analyzing EHR documentation, the study seeks to uncover biases that could lead to disparities in treatment and care for cancer patients. Ultimately, the goal is to improve cancer care by addressing these biases and promoting more equitable treatment practices.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved communication and treatment outcomes for cancer patients by reducing stigma in healthcare documentation.
How similar studies have gone: While the examination of stigmatizing language in EHRs is a relatively novel approach, previous research has shown that language can significantly impact clinical decision-making and patient experiences in healthcare.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Minnesota
Minneapolis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Dona, Allison C — University of Minnesota
- Study coordinator: Dona, Allison C
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.