Increasing Equity in Pain Management, Substance Use Disorder Treatment, and Linkages to CARE

Using person-first language Using person-first language is an effective communication strategy to help move from a deficits-based to a strengths-based approach. Person-first language leads with the person rather than with the diagnosis, disability, or circumstances. In other words, person-first language humanizes the patient as someone who has an illness/ condition, etc., rather than stigmatizing the patient as someone who is the “problem.”

Kevonya Elzia explains how person-first language humanizes patients.

DO Use

DON’T Use

Person who uses drugs, injects drugs, has a lived experience of a substance use disorder Person experiencing homelessness Person diagnosed with diabetes Patient requesting medical treatment for pain Person who is incarcerated

Drug abuser, addict, user

Eboni Winford describes the benefits of person first language, and how it centers the care on the patient.

Homeless person

Diabetic

Drug seeker

Inmate, prisoner

Person living below the poverty line, with lower income

Impoverished person, poor person

Caveats for person-first language When people see their disability, diagnosis, or circumstance as a key part of their identity, they may prefer using identity-first language over person-first language. For example, some people refer to themselves as “autistic” or “neurodiverse,” rather than as “a person with autism.” In general, care teams can start with person-first language, while also listening to how patients refer to themselves, and then mirroring the patient’s language. If you are unsure of the appropriateness of mirroring a term, you can ask your patients if they want you to use that term.

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