This statement highlights the vital role of respectful and inclusive language in cardiovascular care. It emphasizes that the way healthcare professionals communicate can significantly influence patient experiences, trust, engagement, treatment adherence, and overall health outcomes.
Language that is stigmatizing, dismissive, or judgmental – whether international or unconscious – can cause harm, reinforce inequalities, and discourage patients, particularly those from vulnerable or marginalized communities, from fully participating in their care.
The authors call for a shift toward person-centered, culturally sensitive, and non-stigmatizing communication that recognizes patients as active partners in their health journey. Such language fosters empathy, supports shared decision-making, and upholds patient dignity.
The statement also recommends incorporating communication training into professional and education and clinical practice to ensure that all healthcare interactions promote respect, inclusion, and equity in care delivery.
Citation
The importance of respectful language to enhance care. A statement of the Association of Cardiovascular Nurses & Allied Professions (ACNAP) of the ESC, the ESC patient forum and the ESC advocacy committee, Geraldine Lee, Michela Barisone, Paul Dendale, Catriona Jennings, Hwyel Jones, Hanne Kindermans, Martha Kyriakou, Philip Moons, Bart Scheenaerts, Irene Gibson, European Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing, Volume 24, Issue 3, April 2025, Pages 344–351, https://doi.org/10.1093/eurjcn/zvaf020
Read more at this link of European Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing
Summary by Deger Kesimoglu.
