May 30, 2019 | 9 min read

Confessions of a Female Doctor who Questions Gender Equity Movements Like TIME’S UP Healthcare

By Kali Cyrus, MD, MPH, Johns Hopkins Medicine

We have to embrace humility and first accept that we have biases, prejudices, and privileges in certain contexts. We must then do the hard work of recognizing when our biases show up in interactions, examine our past experiences that contributed to the development of our biases, and acknowledge the hurt that may be caused by our biases to ourselves and others. If we truly want to stop harassment and create equity, we have to do this emotional work every day. And we should do it to stop harassment and create equity for not just women, but for everyone.

October 22, 2020 | 2 min read

Patient voting matters

By Patrick Hemming, MD, Duke University

Clinicians are in a position of influence and can encourage patients to vote. Expressing confidence in patients’ ability to make a difference as a voter may motivate them to take action.

February 25, 2020 | 2 min read

5 Things Clinicians can do to Reduce Drug Prices

By Justin McArthur, MBBS, MPH, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Excellent clinicians prescribe thoughtfully—pruning medication lists, advising patients on how to save money, and advocating for change.

June 24, 2025 | 4 min read

Unsheltered lives, unmet needs 

When caring for patients who are unhoused, addressing food and housing insecurity is just as important as providing medical treatment. Prioritize building trust and ensuring psychological safety through trauma-informed interactions and a nonjudgmental approach. 

July 23, 2019 | 3 min read

Engaging Care Partners in Communication

By Antonio Wolff, MD, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Jennifer Aufill, BA, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Jennifer Wolff, PhD, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health

Families and friends are valuable resources. These partners in care can help clinicians improve quality of care and patient outcomes.

December 26, 2018 | 1 min read

How to Ensure Patient Access During the Holidays

By Michael Crocetti, MD, MPH, Johns Hopkins Community Physicians

The holidays can be a stressful time for both patients and clinicians. Here are a few ideas to ensure stress-free access to care for patients, and tips for everyone to stay healthy and rested.

September 25, 2018 | 1 min read

Teaching Maintains Clinical Excellence

By Michael Crocetti, MD, MPH, Johns Hopkins Community Physicians

Engaging with learners keeps you dedicated to lifelong learning, and teaching helps to maintain clinical excellence and the joy of medicine.

June 25, 2018 | 2 min read

Trust The Diagnostic Process

By Michael Crocetti, MD, MPH, Johns Hopkins Community Physicians

Clinicians use a diagnostic process to guide their actions when faced with a medical problem. Hypothesis generation provides an efficient reliable framework to focus the clinical workup and come to the correct diagnosis and treatment plan.

May 17, 2018 | 2 min read

How To Avoid Complacency in Diagnosis

By Michael Crocetti, MD, MPH, Johns Hopkins Community Physicians

Top tips to avoid complacency when faced with a common clinical presentation that may have an uncommon medical diagnosis.

March 11, 2025 | 4 min read

When sex isn’t binary 

Providing exceptional care to intersex patients requires us to shed the outdated idea of sex as a binary. Instead, we should normalize diversity in sex presentation and encourage families to unconditionally love, support, and listen to their loved one. 

June 3, 2020 | 2 min read

COVID-19 Hospital Visitor Restrictions May Fuel Obstetric Disparities

By Alexandra Norton, MS3, Johns Hopkins Medicine, Marielle Gross, MD, Johns Hopkins Berman Institute of Bioethics, Tenisha Wilson, MD, PhD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Clinicians must ensure that visitor restrictions do not exacerbate racial disparities in health outcomes during the pandemic. Now more than ever—without family at the bedside—listening to and advocating for your patients is essential.

June 13, 2019 | 6 min read

How to Talk With a Vaccine Skeptic

By Dharushana Muthulingam, MD, Yale School of Medicine

You cannot treat those who challenge you with contempt. Conversations must be navigated with respect and compassion.

January 9, 2025 | 2 min read

Caution: red tape ahead  

By Katharine Russo, PharmD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Holistically caring for patients includes helping them navigate healthcare systems. Take time to support already stressed patients through the frustrating and opaque processes of insurance and prior authorizations. 

November 6, 2024 | 2 min read

Artful healing

By Sujal Manohar, medical student, Baylor College of Medicine

When I was working in an epilepsy center, I learned the value of understanding the patient’s lived experience. Art and storytelling can provide a unique window into patient concerns and dreams.

October 28, 2024 | 2 min read

Spark the change

By Sadiqua Sadaf, MBBS, Deccan College of Medical Sciences, Hyderabad, India

To motivate patients toward change, healthcare professionals can focus on building trust and setting achievable goals.

September 26, 2024 | 3 min read

Under the influencers 

By Adam Schiavi, MD, PhD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

The social media "Black out challenge" promotes asphyxia that can result in irreversible brain damage or death. Healthcare professionals should warn patients and caregivers to be cautious about social media trends and provocations. 

September 17, 2024 | 1 min read

Navigating drug shortages

By Carmen Lopez-Arvizu, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

In the face of drug shortages, clinicians must become proactive resource navigators. By staying informed, collaborating with patients, and exploring alternative solutions, clinicians can help mitigate the negative impact of shortages.

December 12, 2023 | 2 min read

“CARE”

By Kelly Buckholdt, PhD, Veterans Health Administration, William Laurento II, MEdL

There’s no more dramatic way to understand patient-centered care than being a patient. 

April 11, 2023 | 2 min read

“Can I hold my newborn baby?”

By Carolyn Sufrin, MD, PhD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Giving birth while imprisoned usually occurs under inhumane conditions, with women remaining shackled and not being permitted to hold newborns. This is a reminder that every patient deserves our compassionate and nonjudgmental care. 

June 26, 2018 | 1 min read

Harnessing Digital Technology for Clinical Excellence

By Margaret Chisolm, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Digital technology can be leveraged for the greater good of clinically excellent patient care. Social media tools like Twitter enable you to connect with healthcare stakeholders from around the world.

March 9, 2023 | 2 min read

Latticeworks

By Zaina Siraj, medical student, Albany Medical College

The more we learn and grow, the better we can understand ourselves, our patients, and our world. 

September 1, 2020 | 2 min read

How to Help When Home Isn’t Safe

By Galina Portnoy, PhD, Yale School of Medicine, Jessica Keith, PhD, University of Central Florida, Kelly Buckholdt, PhD, Veterans Health Administration

The pandemic has resulted in everyone spending more time at home, which has increased the potential for being physically, sexually, and psychologically harmed by others. After ensuring that patients feel safe during telehealth appointments, clinicians must directly ask if they are experiencing intimate partner violence and develop a safety plan.

February 8, 2023 | 2 min read

Taking Time For Pizza

By Heather Agee, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

When possible, take time to share dinner with colleagues and friends. This is a gift we can give ourselves to help decrease work stress.

December 6, 2022 | 1 min read

The Helpful Role of Doulas

By Kimberly Turner, MD, Johns Hopkins Community Physicians

Talking with expectant parents about support options can help them make informed decisions about birth plans. Doulas have been associated with a more positive delivery experience.  

October 18, 2022 | 7 min read

A New Paradigm For Growth 

By David Kopacz, MD, University of Washington, Lucinda Houghton, PhD

As with other traumas, burnout, viewed as an opportunity for personal and professional development, offers a way to expand ourselves as wholehearted healers.

February 4, 2020 | 4 min read

How to Respond to Questions About CBD

By Ryan Vandrey, PhD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

With the massive expansion of interest in CBD products, clinicians need to know how to address their patients' questions.

January 6, 2020 | 2 min read

Book Review of “Sissy: A Coming of Gender Story”

By Carl G. Streed Jr., MD, MPH, Boston Medical Center

Recognizing and validating the diversity of gender identities and expressions positively affects the health of our patients and our communities.

September 21, 2022 | 1 min read

Finding Passion, Purpose, and Meaning

By Carisa Parrish, PhD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

When experiencing burnout on the job, enjoying activities outside of work may lead to greater happiness and life satisfaction, until your passion for work returns. 

October 28, 2019 | 5 min read

September Art Museum Challenge

By Flora Smyth Zahra, MA Clin Ed, DRestDent RCS, FHEA, Kings College London, Margaret Chisolm, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

By providing a creative space in which healthcare professionals can build skills integral to clinical practice, while also expressing their vulnerabilities and humanity, art museum-based education can humanize healthcare and provide an antidote to burnout.

October 20, 2021 | 3 min read

Rethinking the Routine in the Pursuit of Inclusion

Interprofessional team members bring a rich variety of perspectives about patients that can lead to better whole person care. Using first names among our team helps minimize power differentials.