April 6, 2018 | 1 min read

The Human Tragedy of the Opioid Crisis

By Margaret Chisolm, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Addiction impacts more than just my patient, but their entire family. And our job as doctors is—in some way—to care for all of them, to bring them in close, and to try to relieve their suffering in some way.

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.

February 24, 2021 | 2 min read

“Make you feel my love” (archives 2021)

By Amy Vinson, MD, Boston Childrens Hospital

Seeing the love in a patient’s life can be moving. It can also remind us just how important close relationships are in life.

October 22, 2018 | 2 min read

Giving Compassionate Care

My goal is to to be a clinically excellent oncologist, which means being compassionate, spending time with patients and families in order to understand their needs, helping with treatment decisions, and being there for end-of-life decisions as well as hospice care.

October 24, 2023 | 6 min read

Hoping

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

Even when a cure is not possible, I try to show patients and their loved ones that there are other things for which to hope. 

December 6, 2021 | 1 min read

Replacing a Void With Joy

By Kevin Frick, PhD, Johns Hopkins Carey Business School

I recently went from being vice dean at a business school to “just” a professor. Although society generally measures success by whether a person “moves up,” returning to what I find most interesting and inspiring has increased my well-being, happiness, and fulfillment.

June 26, 2019 | <1 min read

Dr. Panagis Galiatsatos, A CLOSLER Look

By Gretchen Miller, Managing Editor

We need to think of ourselves as community members who happen to be clinicians.

March 13, 2024 | 1 min read

How writing helps me as a clinician

By Jason Han, MD, Penn Medicine

Writing helps me reflect on the surgical decisions I make each day.

November 11, 2025 | 1 min read

Purpose shapes practice

I found more meaning in my work when I stopped treating “cases” and started seeing people. Compassionate attention became my most effective clinical tool.

February 27, 2023 | 2 min read

Children Need Hospice Too

By Emily Johnson, MSN, RN, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Regularly reassessing goals of care is necessary during critical illness. This can help families maintain hope and realistic expectations. 

June 15, 2020 | 1 min read

Getting CLOSLER: A Note to Our Readers

By Margaret Chisolm, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine, Scott Wright, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

For two years, CLOSLER has been stimulating healthcare professionals and trainees to reflect on giving exceptional care to every patient.

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. 

March 3, 2021 | 3 min read

Understanding the Sacrifices we Make in Medicine

By James Aluri, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Giving excellent care to every patient requires you to make significant sacrifices. Acknowledging this can help you understand, and even accept, these sacrifices.

October 15, 2018 | 1 min read

Respect, Empathy, and Communciation

By Andrea Corse, MD, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

My approach to care is to provide the kind of care you would want for yourself and your family.

October 16, 2023 | 1 min read

Clinging to Hope

By Avani Prabhakar, MBBS, MPH, Johns Hopkins Medicine, Nitin Narayan, medical student, Gujarat, India

A patient’s family wasn’t ready to accept that their loved one wouldn’t recover. From the encounter, I learned that sometimes it may be appropriate to delay such conversations for a little while. 

November 29, 2021 | 3 min read

Being Your Patient’s Advocate

By Sabrina Chen, medical student, New York University

Some supervising physicians may occasionally seem annoyed by medical students’ questions. As a trainee, I’ve learned to speak up anyways, as my question can make the difference between life and death.

June 12, 2019 | <1 min read

Dr. Jamie Wright, A CLOSLER Look

Making the time to ensure that patients understand what you are teaching them about their bodies will help them make better decisions about their care.

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 21, 2023 | 1 min read

Lessons From The Novel “Sharks in The Time of Saviors”

By Margaret Olsen Hemming

This book may resonate with clinicians as it explores the complex process of healing—the rewards of its successes, as well as the toll of its limitation. 

July 30, 2020 | 2 min read

Taking a Moment to Pause

By Jareatha Abdul-Raheem, Med Student, Johns Hopkins Medicine

When hearing disappointing news or encountering stress, making time to step back and reassess may help with coping and gaining perspective.

July 8, 2024 | 2 min read

Suturing stories 

By Andrea Merrill, MD, Boston Medical Center

By using writing to process patient care experiences, I'm able to learn from challenging events at work and find more meaning in medicine. 

September 2, 2020 | 4 min read

A Call for Advocacy in Medicine

By Sara Wallam, Medical Student, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Systemic racism is prevalent throughout our society. To dismantle disparities in health outcomes for minority patients, clinicians must advocate for their patients at the local level and for communities on a regional and national scale.

January 28, 2021 | 3 min read

Purple Nail Polish

By Shauna Maty, MPH, Medical Student, St. George University

Always remember that your patient is a person with a family, friends, and a unique story. Your first responsibility as a healthcare professional is to heal your patient and your second is to learn.

October 8, 2018 | <1 min read

Alleviating Patients’ Emotional Burden

By Paul Manson, MD, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

My approach to clinical care involves making a dual diagnosis for each patient: identifying the problem, and understanding how that problem affects the patient psychologically and emotionally.

October 10, 2023 | 1 min read

Back on Track 

By Zoobia Chaudhry, MBBS, Johns Hopkins Medicine

By encouraging patients and supporting their self-efficacy, we can empower them to take charge of their health. 

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. 

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.

June 5, 2019 | <1 min read

Dr. David Hellmann, A CLOSLER Look

By Gretchen Miller, Managing Editor

The greatest joy is to know your patients as people.

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. 

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. 

June 1, 2020 | 3 min read

Tribute to the Med School Class of 2020

By Donald Berwick, MD

The pandemic is an ongoing reminder of the privilege of caring for our fellow humans. It also gives healthcare professionals the opportunity to reconnect with our deepest values—healing, justice, equity, respect, and love for our work.

August 13, 2018 | 1 min read

How I Uphold My Hippocratic Oath

By Marcia Canto, MD, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

I try to take care of each patient as if he or she is my close relative or friend. I believe this is the only way that we can uphold our Hippocratic oath in the modern era of medicine, which tends to depersonalize physician-patient interactions. 

April 16, 2018 | 2 min read

Giving Humanistic and Empathetic Care

By Michele Manahan, MD, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

Dr. Michele Manahan's Clinical Mission & Values Statement on supporting her patients through conversation, active listening, a receptive ear, and an incisive mind.

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.

October 3, 2018 | <1 min read

Dr. Mike Fingerhood: A CLOSLER Look

By Gretchen Miller, Managing Editor

Every time I see a patient I ask them about their home environment, and what the main stressors in their life are right now.

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.

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.

November 10, 2023 | 2 min read

Final journeys

By Elizabeth Gundersen, MD, University of Colorado

Today, we remember patients who have served our country. We are grateful for the honor and privilege of caring for these veterans through their final journeys.

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. 

July 8, 2020 | 2 min read

Appreciating ALL Healthcare Workers

By Gaye Cunnane, MD, PhD, Trinity College Dublin

All healthcare workers contribute meaningfully to the care of patients. Taking the time to offer a kind word to those who may be underappreciated can make an enormous difference.

June 27, 2024 | 2 min read

Lessons from earlier in life: from public school teaching to doctoring  

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

I apply the principles I learned as a public school teacher to patient care: asking insightful questions, seeing the whole person, and fostering motivation for positive change. 

July 29, 2020 | 2 min read

Jumping Into Redeployment

By Richard Schaefer, MD, MPH, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Caring for very sick patients during the pandemic can help you to reconnect with the meaning and purpose of medicine. Sign up to serve if the opportunity presents itself.

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.

September 24, 2018 | 1 min read

Healing, Counseling, and Consoling

By Satish Shanbhag, MBBS, MPH, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

An essential part of clinically excellent care is empathy with our patients—a trait that can be cultivated by visualizing ourselves as an extension of our patient’s family helping them get through a rough patch in life.

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. 

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. 

June 4, 2019 | 3 min read

Haiku on Phone

By Crystal Jing Jing Yeo, MD, PhD, MassGeneral, Brigham and Women Hospital, Harvard Medical School

To be a true healer is to heal not just in life, but also through dying and death.

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.