The Surprising Rise of Emojis in EHRs
Researchers explored how emojis are used in clinical communication and where misinterpretation may occur
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By
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Jess Allerton
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January 20, 2026
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Emojis are increasingly appearing in electronic health records, with usage rising from 1.4 to 10.7 notes per 100,000 from 2020 to 2025.
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Most emojis were found in patient-facing communications, particularly in portal messages and telephone encounters.
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Clinicians or staff added emojis in 89% of cases, primarily to convey emotional tone or as visual cues.
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The most common emojis included smiley faces and symbols related to communication and scheduling.
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Researchers recommend health systems provide guidance for clear communication due to potential risks in emoji interpretation.
