Inclusive language in clinical research

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Use of “participants” rather than “subjects” is preferred as a more respectful term.
• Alternatives such as “volunteer”, “sample”, “case”, or “client/consumer” may be acceptable in specific and limited circumstances.
• Ultimately, there is no single best term that is universally applicable.
• The authors’ recommendation is to use terms that clearly define the population (eg, children/adults) and the condition (eg, patients with breast cancer).