March 11, 2024 | 2 min read

Hold my hand 

By Jonathan McFarland, Medical Humanist, Autonomous University of Madrid & University of Pompeu Fabra

When my friend was dying, I realized the importance of a comforting touch, like holding hands. This physical connection can give comfort to both healer and patient.  

February 16, 2023 | 2 min read

“Yes, we Won”

By Richard Schaefer, MD, MPH, Johns Hopkins Medicine

I was inspired by the story of Damar Hamlin, an athlete and an advocate. His recovery generated unity among society at large, pride among healthcare professionals, and brought awareness to the importance of knowing CPR. 

January 18, 2019 | 9 min read

From Clinic to Senate

By Kali Cyrus, MD, MPH, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Advocacy does not have to mean changing legal precedents; it can also be taking a mentee out for coffee, giving feedback about your colleague’s stereotyping of a patient, or not patronizing restaurants with unfair wage practices.

January 13, 2021 | 1 min read

How to Support Your Learners During a Pandemic

Listening to your trainees is always the first step in prioritizing their well-being and mitigating burnout. This is especially important during challenging times.

July 16, 2018 | 2 min read

Commitment, Integrity, and Humility

By Luca Vricella, MD, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

Humility is what allows us to approach clinical challenges. Thus we should behave with humility to all of those around us: patients, families, and co-workers.

April 22, 2025 | 5 min read

Let the language live 

Daily clinical interactions, marked by honest communication and empathy, hold unique power for healing and justice. 

March 30, 2020 | 1 min read

Serving the Socially Vulnerable During the Pandemic

By Deidra Crews, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Excellent clinicians must think of creative ways to serve all of our patients during this time of crisis, and keep the most vulnerable at the front of our minds.

June 1, 2018 | 2 min read

Fewer Assumptions, Better Care

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

Assumptions may speed our diagnoses, but they hinder our interactions with our patients. Our assumptions and expectations of what a patient wants from their care can lead to missed opportunities to providing comprehensive and compassionate care.

October 23, 2025 | 2 min read

Move over FOMO 

ROMO—the Relief of Missing Out—is the burnout antidote you can start tonight. Consider skipping the next conference and protecting your weekends to have energy to give exceptional care to every patient. 

January 3, 2019 | 1 min read

Post-Holiday Reflections

Throughout the entirety of the year, placing emphasis on humanity and connecting with patients is paramount.

January 7, 2021 | 4 min read

3 Steps to Develop Your Philosophy of Caring

By Aidan Crowley, Medical Student, University of Pennsylvania

Identifying the principles that guide your care of patients will bring more meaning and purpose to your work. This can bring both you and your patients joy and fulfillment.

October 3, 2023 | 2 min read

Never Forget Where You Came From

By Hanghang Wang, MD, PhD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Reflecting on my journey to becoming a cardiothoracic surgeon reminds me of how far I've come. This also helps me to imagine the rewards of giving clinically excellent care to future patients. 

March 26, 2018 | 1 min read

Knowing and Caring For The Patient As A Person

By Kimberly Peairs, MD, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

Medical care extends far beyond simply treating a disease—it involves forging a relationship and offering trust, support, and wisdom. 

November 24, 2021 | 4 min read

What I Learned When I Deleted my Social Media

By Tyler Mains, MD, University of California, San Francisco

When I stopped checking Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook, I created a boundary between myself and the never-ending stream of noise and emotion. I now have more bandwidth to empathize with my patients’ feelings.

October 20, 2025 | 2 min read

White coat/blue gown 

When I became a patient, loss of control helped me realize how much trust I needed to place in my doctor. As a clinician, I will remember my experience and the need to build trust with candor and clear communication. 

December 28, 2018 | 3 min read

How do you measure a year?

By Dawn Harris Sherling, MD, Florida Atlantic University

How do we measure a year in medicine? I’d like to measure mine in patient laughter, hugs, and lives that were made just a little bit better.

December 30, 2020 | 4 min read

Grateful For #MedTwitter in 2020 

By Chase Anderson, MD, University of California San Francisco

Despite physical distancing during the pandemic, Twitter is a platform where clinicians around the world can connect. This reduces feelings of isolation and gives support to many.

September 21, 2023 | 1 min read

Healthcare Professionals And Fatal Overdose

By Hannah Fetting, MSN, CRNP, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Colleagues with a substance use disorder deserve the utmost compassion. We can offer nonjudgmental support, just like we do for all other conditions. 

February 11, 2020 | 2 min read

Moving Mountains

By Susan Huff, RN, MSN, Johns Hopkins Homecare Group

In end of life care, excellent clinicians can and should move mountains to get patients home if that's where they want and need to be.

November 11, 2021 | 3 min read

Dying Alone

By Eric Last, DO, Northwell Health, Wantagh, New York

Caring for a patient dying of AIDS reminded me that—while it's necessary to be fully present and listen attentively to all patients—those who are alone need even more of our time. 

February 22, 2024 | 1 min read

A journey through time 

By Beatriz Rizkallah Alves, MD, Massachusetts General Hospital

As a young doctor, I cared for a centenarian. I realized that I’d never fully appreciated the complexity and challenges of aging—I now take extra time to uncover my older patients’ struggles. 

October 15, 2025 | 3 min read

Mea culpa 

When speaking with a patient who was upset about the long wait time, I reminded myself to apologize without excuses and center the patient’s reality over my schedule. 

February 9, 2023 | 1 min read

Firearm Safe Storage

By Katherine Hoops, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Child access prevention laws and safe storage of firearms prevent injuries. We must advocate for stronger safety laws to prevent the death of children in our communities. 

December 12, 2018 | <1 min read

Dr. Ivor Berkowitz, A CLOSLER Look

By Gretchen Miller, Managing Editor

"I approach comforting my patients and their families by sitting at my patient's bedside with kindness and respect, aware of religious and cultural customs, and use a vocabulary that everyone in the family will understand."

December 28, 2020 | 6 min read

Medical Activism: A Foundation of Professionalism

By David Kopacz, MD, University of Washington

Clinicians should expand their definition of professionalism to include working for societal change to improve the health of all.

September 12, 2023 | 2 min read

The Gift of Time

By Meshulam Twerski, medical student, Penn Medicine

Medical students have more time than doctors to get to know patients as people and uncover unspoken fears about their illness and treatment. 

April 9, 2025 | 2 min read

Feeling secure

Sometimes the most profound acts of care aren't medical interventions, but recognizing the simple comforts that anchor patients, like a cherished stuffed animal.

January 7, 2020 | 3 min read

Like Father, Like Son—or Possibly Not

By John Launer, MD, London, United Kingdom

Would you advise young people to become a doctor? Reflection from a father and son below.

May 30, 2018 | 2 min read

Staying Engaged

By David Feller-Kopman, MD, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

The opposite of burnout is engagement—here are three things you can do to stay engaged.

October 14, 2025 | 5 min read

Procedures that are painful for both patients and clinicians

Some medical procedures are uncomfortable and do not go quickly or smoothly. The patient’s well-being and the need to complete the task must both be thoughtfully considered continuously. 

August 26, 2024 | 2 min read

The Argentinian way

By M. Carolina Musri, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

In Argentina, I learned that relationship-building in medicine is paramount. With patients, talking about anything non-medical can deepen a connection. With coworkers, sharing lunch every day can help reduce stress and improve well-being.

December 10, 2018 | 3 min read

Immigrants Should Not Have to Choose Between Health and a Green Card

By Lochan Shah, Neha Anand, Priyal Gandhi

We urge you to leverage your voice as an agent of change by submitting a comment opposing the proposed rule to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security before the deadline, TODAY, December 10, 2018. Make your voice heard so that families across the country do not have to choose between their health and their immigration status.

December 29, 2020 | 4 min read

Lessons From “Diary of a Med Student”

By Howard Chang, Medical Student, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Working in healthcare, we interact with people who can be offensive. A med student reflects on how best to respond to patients who are demeaning.

March 19, 2018 | 5 min read

Deep and Active Listening

By Susan Lehmann, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

The essence of good doctoring is to listen attentively and respectfully to the concerns of your patient.

November 17, 2021 | 3 min read

Awe in The Midst of Medicine

Pausing, reflecting, and savoring moments of awe can balance the frequently overwhelming demands of clinical care.

August 29, 2018 | <1 min read

Interview With Dr. Geetha: A CLOSLER Look

By Gretchen Miller, Managing Editor

On the importance of meaningful long-term patient-physician partnerships: enjoy a 3-minute video interview with Dr. Duvuru Geetha.

August 20, 2024 | 2 min read

Wounded healer

By David Kopacz, MD, University of Washington

Clinician burnout can erode compassion, which is at the heart of healthcare. To reignite a passion for healing, clinicians must tend to their own souls in addition to mind and body.

December 5, 2018 | <1 min read

“A CLOSLER Look,” Dr. Rosalyn Stewart

By Gretchen Miller, Managing Editor

When helping vulnerable urban populations, sometimes the biggest challenge is to understand where the patient is at. Then we have to work together with the patient on walking towards wellness, particularly focusing on lifestyle modifications.

April 30, 2018 | 4 min read

The 15 Values of a Pediatric Anesthesiologist

By Ivor Berkowitz, MBBCh, MBA, Johns Hopkins Medicine

A pediatric anesthesiologist shares the 15 values that have guided his career.

August 14, 2023 | 3 min read

Accentuate The Positive

By Megan Gerber, MD, MPH, Albany Medical College

Sometimes interactions with patients may feel challenging. Expressing gratitude to patients for positive encounters may help reduce stress and bring joy.

March 19, 2025 | 3 min read

Lessons from caring for Syrian refugees 

By Nagina Khan, PhD, University of Kent

Seek to understand the unique cultural context of patients who have undergone trauma. This is paramount to building trust and providing effective care—especially for vulnerable populations, like refugees. 

December 9, 2019 | 1 min read

Presence in Final Moments

Traditionally, we have "protected" families from witnessing abrupt or unexpected death in our hospitals. This assumption may be incorrect; offering families the chance to be present can be what is wanted and needed.

May 29, 2018 | 2 min read

Love At First Sight

By Margaret Chisolm, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

A clinically excellent physician always takes the time to ask his/her patient about the history of substance use in their parents and siblings, as well as aunts, uncles, grandparents, and cousins; and always asks about adoption.

September 30, 2025 | 1 min read

More time

It is best for goals-of-care conversations to happen as early as possible. Clinicians can use these discussions to help guide shared decision making around end-of-life care.  

January 19, 2023 | 2 min read

With Only a Nod

By Becky Sansbury, MDiv, Raleigh, North Carolina

Sometimes the best care we can give is to be quiet, observant, and appreciative of our patient’s sharing a life-changing moment.

July 16, 2024 | 3 min read

A box full of hope 

While working as a doctor in Cameroon, I learned that the most valuable resources aren’t always technological. Instead, generosity, kindness, and human connections may be most important for making healthcare more widely accessible. 

December 6, 2018 | 5 min read

Lines Blurred

By Ekene Ojukwu, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Really taking care of a patient means making hard choices, saying things people don’t want to hear, and letting them decide if they will engage in their own care. At the same time, it means learning different ways of listening, looking for opportunities and strategies to trust our patients, believing their stories, and seeing them as full individuals

December 23, 2020 | 5 min read

Holiday Rounds

By Samuel Durso, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

If you're called on to work through Christmas and New Year’s, there's a bright side. This is typically a quieter period and may allow more time to learn from clinically excellent role models.

November 25, 2019 | 2 min read

A Tribute Sir William Osler

By John Launer, MD, London, United Kingdom

Enjoy highlights from the latest issue of the Postgraduate Medical Journal to mark the centenary of Sir William Osler’s death.

October 21, 2021 | 2 min read

Be a Team Player: Get Vaccinated

By Alexis Coslick, DO, MS, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Be a teammate to everyone in your community. Get vaccinated and encourage others to do so.