The Annals of Family Medicine: 24 (1)
An essay authored by members of the University of Wisconsin Department of Family Medicine and Community Health arguing that medical trainees should be taught to write notes that are patient-centered, respectful, and mindful of bias has been published in the Annals of Family Medicine. The essay, “Educating Medical Trainees About Patient-Centered Documentation in the Time of Open Notes,” appears in the January/February 2026 issue. Elizabeth A. Fleming, MD and Magnolia Larson, DO are the essay’s authors, along with Nyla E. Mathis, a University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health medical student.
The shift to open notes created a form of communication with patients that should be taught to students as an extension of the visit capable of impacting the patient-physician relationship. While inclusive notes that reflect a patient’s lived experience can strengthen the therapeutic alliance, relationships can be undermined by using depersonalized, biased, or judgmental language. Patient-centered documentation is a powerful tool for improving the experience of both patients and clinicians.
Annals of Family Medicine is an open access, peer-reviewed research journal dedicated to advancing knowledge essential to understanding and improving health and primary care and supports a learning community of those who generate and use information about health and generalist health care.
Published: January 2026