March 6, 2018 | 2 min read With Respect to Clinical Excellence, Age is Only a Number By Roy Ziegelstein, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine With respect to clinical excellence, compassion, knowledge, diagnostic reasoning, and clinical skill are far more important than age—age is only a number.
May 19, 2021 | 3 min read Clinical Training Translating to Clinical Excellence By Jennifer Spicer, MD, MPH, Emory University Bias awareness achieved in teaching/learning can transfer to the clinic. Thus learners can help clinicians become aware of bias toward patients.
August 13, 2019 | 2 min read How Does Bullying Relate to Clinical Excellence? By Scott Wright, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine There is no place in medicine for bullying. It interferes with growth of individuals and collaborations among team members – both of these are critical for serving our patients.
The owl has been used as a symbol of wisdom for millennia. January 25, 2021 | 3 min read How to be Clinically Excellent By Laura Pugh, Medical Student, Johns Hopkins Medicine Clinically excellent physicians sit at the same level as their patients, ask them about their fears, and are lifelong learners.
"The practitioners who surround the student during his or her transition into the clinical world show the student how to live out out his or her oath. During this stage of formation, the trainee is simultaneously a sponge and a clay sculpture, soaking up the minutiae of the clinical environment while honing the skills that will shape his or her character as a physician." March 1, 2021 | 4 min read How to be an Excellent Clinical Mentor By Aidan Crowley, Medical Student, University of Pennsylvania Mentorship is essential to healthcare teaching, learning, and practice. Excellent mentors lead by example and guide mentees, informed by empathic listening and reflections on their own journeys.
July 20, 2021 | 2 min read 3 lessons on clinical excellence from the oncology clinic By Sajya Singh, Medical Student, Johns Hopkins Medicine While shadowing clinicians in cancer care, I learned the importance of spending time to gather the family history, building trusting relationships, and balancing treatment plans with quality-of-life considerations.
May 10, 2018 | 3 min read Truly Listen: Clinical Excellence in Nephrology By Edward Kraus, MD, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine Listen to your patient, try to understand what they're saying, and think beyond policies and protocols to be the best advocate possible.
August 23, 2018 | 4 min read How To Incorporate Students Effectively Into Clinic By Rachel Salas, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine Making the time and effort to integrate students into clinic cohesively can be associated with both improved clinical productivity and educational value.
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.
March 30, 2018 | 4 min read An EPIC Tale By Wilma Ferthler, MD, Rural Country Doctor, Northeast Kingdom, Vermont A warm welcome to our new regular contributor, Dr. Wilma Ferthler, a rural country doc from the Northeast Kingdom, Vermont.
May 14, 2018 | 1 min read Teamwork, Compassion, and Respect By Derek Fine, MD, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine A clinical mission statement from a nephrologist: values important to the best patient centered clinical care include teamwork, compassion, and respect.
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.
November 7, 2024 | 2 min read Following my own rules By Julie Caffrey, DO, MS, Johns Hopkins Medicine Having my own set of guidelines has helped me to continuously improve. One of my favorites is consciously learning something new every day.
April 17, 2018 | 5 min read Knowing Your Patient By Khalil Ghanem, MD, PhD, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine Diagnostic excellence begins and ends with knowing your patient.
November 18, 2019 | 1 min read What Characterizes the 21st Century Clinically Excellent Clinician? By David E. Kern, MD, MPH, Johns Hopkins Medicine The truly clinically excellent clinician of tomorrow cannot only give excellent care one-on-one to each patient they encounter. They also need to have the knowledge and skills that enable them to work collaboratively and effectively to improve the healthcare systems in which they work.
May 23, 2019 | 1 min read The Thinking of a Clinical Problem Solver By Reza Manesh, MD, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine We aren't expected to know everything. Identifying the salient features of a case can lead you to the diagnosis.
August 9, 2022 | 1 min read How to Maintain Clinical Skills During Parental Leave . . . Don’t! By Jessica Bienstock, MD, MPH, Johns Hopkins Medicine Revel in the wonder and the joy that is new parenthood. The privilege of practicing medicine will be here when you return.
"Chrysantheme und Biene." Hokusai, K. (ca. 1832). Public domain, Wikimedia. September 22, 2021 | 8 min read The Role of Visual Thinking Strategies Coaching in Clinical Excellence By Margaret Chisolm, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine Take an appreciative approach when giving feedback to learners. It will not only build clinical skills, but will also foster a healthy community of learning and practice.
Dr. Eric Howell sharing and communicating about patient care with a colleague. May 22, 2018 | 1 min read What My Patients Taught Me About Leadership By Eric Howell, MD, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine A veteran hospitalists highlights four areas where patients have helped him become a more thoughtful leader.
Ask your patients, "Are you concerned about how expensive the treatment is?" You don't need to know your patients' income or out-of-pocket costs, but you can think about starting with less expensive but effective treatments. March 16, 2021 | 3 min read Best Practices in Shared Decision-Making By Kevin Frick, PhD, Johns Hopkins Carey Business School Giving exceptional care includes honoring your patient’s goals and addressing any challenges they might have with the care plan. Be mindful of the financial costs that your patients may face and discuss alternatives when possible.
January 13, 2022 | 3 min read How Being Foster Parents Has Improved Our Care of Patients By Lindsay Terrell, MD, Duke University, Patrick Hemming, MD, Duke University Fostering children reminds us of the foundational impact of genuine empathy and compassion on the well-being of those we care for.
October 5, 2022 | 2 min read Long Drives, Slow Thinking By Margot Kelly-Hedrick, MD, University of Washington I no longer think of my long commute as “wasted” time. Spending it reflecting on the lives of my patients has reignited my passion for medicine.
April 21, 2020 | 2 min read “Jiro Dreams of Sushi” By Scott Wright, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine Role models can be found on Netflix. Jiro, the master sushi chef, is aiming for perfection, and we must also continuously try to get better in our work with patients.
February 12, 2025 | 1 min read Insights from the book “Decoding Greatness” By Scott Wright, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine Achieving greatness in any field is not only about talent or practice; it’s also about studying the successes of those who are exemplary. In medicine, observing and analyzing the approaches of admirable colleagues can allow us to grow and evolve toward being more clinically excellent.
Georgia O'Keeffe, Series 1, Number 8. November 20, 2018 | 2 min read The Healing Power of Words By Helen Bradshaw, MD, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine What we say to patients has the power to promote healing.
"The Persistence of Memory," Salvador Dali, 1931, The Museum of Modern Art. November 19, 2018 | 2 min read Learning from Learners By Margaret Chisolm, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine Teaching is the best way to learn. In the end, I am not only a teacher and my residents are not only learners, but we are both a little of each.
September 20, 2018 | 2 min read Review of ‘Attending: Medicine, Mindfulness, and Humanity’ By Scott Wright, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine Dr. Ronald Epstein's book, "Attending," offers insights into mindfulness and connecting with our patients.
October 17, 2018 | 1 min read When? By Scott Wright, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine Timing is everything! Daniel Pink's book, "When," will make you a believer!
January 15, 2025 | 2 min read A spray away from the answer This clinical conundrum, related to hypoxia, underscores the importance of meticulous history-taking and the potential for unexpected complications with seemingly benign medications.
February 25, 2018 | 1 min read Diagnostic Excellence Starts With an Incessant Watch By Reza Manesh, MD, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine Feedback is the key to improvement of any craft. No one is born an expert. It is earned through deliberate practice and an incessant thirst for progress.
April 28, 2022 | 2 min read Clinical Pearls From Sarah Lewis’ Book “The Rise” By Scott Wright, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine The journey to mastery is long and full of setbacks. In clinical medicine, a commitment to excellence is a worthy goal; missteps represent growth opportunities, not failures.
The new 2018 members of the Gold Humanism Honor Society chapter at Georgetown University School of Medicine. June 12, 2018 | 6 min read Transcending Quality In Pursuit of Clinical Excellence By Jack Penner, MD This is an excerpt of the keynote speech given by Jack Penner at the 2018 induction ceremony for the Gold Humanism Honor Society chapter at Georgetown University School of Medicine. Dr. Penner will be entering residency in Internal Medicine at UCSF as a member of the UCPC Primary Care Track.
June 23, 2022 | 2 min read Reflections at The End of a Busy Clinical Year By Madeline Rodriguez, MD, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine Outstanding clinicians are humble, curious, and nonjudgmental.
August 1, 2019 | 3 min read Mindset and the Power of Yet: A Conversation With Dr. Gurpreet Dhaliwal By Sam Kant, MD, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine Excellent clinicians are also thoughtful mentors. Mentors are like beacons as we navigate our path forward.
April 8, 2020 | 5 min read Professionalism of Clinicians and Healthcare Leaders During a Pandemic By Kat Jong, MD, University of Washington Working responsibly from home is definitely acceptable. Healthcare leaders and clinicians must partner to ensure that our patients are receiving excellent care, mitigating risks whenever possible.
April 4, 2018 | 3 min read Race, Funding, and Access to High Quality Care By Sophie Lanzkron, MD, MDH, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine Sophie Lanzkron, MD, MHS, advocates for systemic change to increase access to high quality sickle cell care for all patients.
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.
May 9, 2018 | 2 min read Applying the Coaching Model to Medical Education By Ryan Graddy, MD, AbsoluteCARE Medical Center, Atlanta, Georgia Coaching—direct observation of learners with feedback geared toward skills development—is an important way to teach individualized medical education. Outstanding coaches across disciplines share characteristics that can be applied in clinical coaching encounters.
July 18, 2018 | 2 min read The Bell Curve By Lee Akst, MD, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine The difference between a 99.5% and 99.95% success rate isn't necessarily in knowledge or training, but in physician attitudes towards adapting and changing to evolving information.
November 17, 2022 | 2 min read Personalized Clinical Quality Improvement By Jeffrey Krimmel-Morrison, MD, University of Washington Use evidence-informed practices in your self-directed learning—build a case tracking system, work simulated cases, use quizzing, and seek new evidence efficiently.
Anchoring bias occurs when we rely too heavily on information received up front and too little on information received later when making a judgement about the most likely diagnosis. November 26, 2024 | 4 min read Lessening the chances of making diagnostic errors By Elizabeth Fracica, MD, MPH, Johns Hopkins Medicine To minimize common mistakes in diagnoses, clinicians must be mindful of cognitive and anchoring biases. Regularly seeking alternative explanations is one way to accomplish this.
April 24, 2023 | 1 min read How CLOSLER Has Improved My Care of Patients: A Five-Year Retrospective By Jeffrey Millstein, MD, Penn Medicine Through CLOSLER, I’ve learned about the power of active listening and how better to navigate challenging conversations. It has also provided many ideas for re-energizing myself both personally and professionally.
August 16, 2021 | 3 min read The Heart of Clinical Reasoning By Susrutha “Sus” Kotwal, MBBS, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine Making a diagnostic error reminded me that connecting with patients on a personal level is necessary for optimal clinical reasoning.
June 14, 2018 | 1 min read AI and the Art of Medicine By Souvik Chatterjee, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine Exploring the new challenge of combining the art of healing with the new science of machine learning.
June 23, 2021 | 6 min read Aducanumab: The Clinical Wisdom of Being Conservative, Careful, And Transparent By Constantine Lyketsos, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine Clinicians frequently face thorny ethical dilemmas when caring for patients. Take time to reflect on all components of these issues before discussions with patients.
Clinically excellent healthcare professionals maintain a growth mindset. January 6, 2025 | 2 min read Defining exemplary care By Kristopher Keppel, medical student, Johns Hopkins Medicine Exceptional patient care requires "pragmatic empathy"—the artful blend of compassion and candor—combined with a holistic approach that considers the patient's broader life context.
November 27, 2019 | 3 min read Clouds and Codes Aren’t Care By Gisele Waters, PhD, Founder and President of Symbiotica Consulting The promise of artificial intelligence is that it gives healthcare professionals the opportunity to improve the quality of care by allowing humans to focus on humans.
March 4, 2024 | 2 min read Getting the diagnosis right By Colleen Christmas, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine After arriving at what you think is the diagnosis, pause and consider alternative explanations. For patient populations at high risk for misdiagnosis (women and historically marginalized groups), examine how biases might be influencing your conclusions.
September 7, 2022 | 2 min read “Hysteria” By Tina Zhang, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine We need to be aware of our own gender biases that could adversely affect women. To combat this, engage in shared decision-making with patients and be a lifelong learner of female health topics.
