Annals of Family Medicine Publishes DFMCH Faculty Essay

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.