In clinical notes, which phrasing is generally more respectful?

• A. A disabled patient
• B. A patient with a disability
• C. A person who has a disability
• D. The patient is disabled

Answer: (B)

Center on the person, not the disability, when documenting in clinical notes. Using “a patient with a disability” respects the individual by presenting the disability as just one aspect of who they are while keeping them identified as a patient in the care setting. This aligns with person-first language in healthcare, reducing the risk of stigma and keeping notes focused on the patient and their care needs. The other phrasings either describe the person by the disability (which can feel defining) or state the disability as a condition the patient has rather than as a descriptor used in the record. A person-first option like “a patient with a disability” is concise and fits the clinical context, clearly situating the individual within care. So, this phrasing is the most respectful and professional choice for clinical documentation.