June 6, 2018 | 1 min read

Open Arms: The Welcoming Spirit of the Osler Residence

By Margaret Chisolm, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Although we might not all live in a “substantial Victorian house” like William Osler’s, we can all embrace the welcoming spirit of “The Open Arms,” and invite more of our learners into our homes for informal meetings, mentorship, and maybe even tea.

May 3, 2022 | 5 min read

10 Pearls From Clinician Exemplars

By Ralph Hruban, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

We have much to learn from those who came before us. One example is working toward equity in healthcare, including fighting sexism and racism. 

May 6, 2024 | 2 min read

A lesson in humility

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

All patients deserve to be treated with respect, listened to attentively, and seen as individuals.

March 28, 2019 | 6 min read

Integrating Psychology and Primary Care

By Benjamin Bensadon, PhD, University of Florida College of Medicine

Person-centeredness holds great potential to maximize healing in the way Osler envisioned more than a century ago. But to translate this concept clinically, psychology and medicine must come closer together. The closer we can come together, the closer we can come to Osler.  

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.

June 15, 2018 | 2 min read

Osleriana

By Margaret Chisolm, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Enjoy our regular contributor Margaret Chisolm's fun exploration of all things Olser.

May 20, 2020 | 4 min read

Lessons From Ebola Outbreaks

By Linda Mobula, MD, MPH, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Prior epidemics, like Ebola, have taught us much about caring for patients. While PPE creates a barrier between ourselves and our patients, it’s still possible to give excellent care.

May 11, 2020 | 3 min read

Redefining Rounds—Will The Circle be Unbroken?

By Chase Webber, DO, Vanderbilt University Medical Center

A patient care team performs best when all voices harmonize and creative approaches are applauded.

December 7, 2021 | 3 min read

A Window Into a Patient’s World

By Deirdre Johnston, MBBCh, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Visiting a patient’s home environment, either virtually or in person, may shed light on the source of their distress.

October 26, 2021 | 3 min read

What is The Scope of a Clinician’s Work?

By Margaret Chisolm, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

We must help our patients achieve a state where body, mind, and spirit are working as a whole. We can help them do more than survive. Let’s help them thrive!

March 6, 2019 | 1 min read

Calling Card for the Soul

By Stephanie Cooper Greenberg, Johns Hopkins Pet Therapy Program

Pets hold a special place in all of our hearts. To connect with patients and to show genuine interest, ask them about their pets. You may be surprised how much you will learn about your patient including who they are, what matters to them, and what they love.

December 18, 2018 | 4 min read

Evelyn’s Story

By Mariah Robertson, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Keeping in touch with patients and their families in the days, weeks, and months following an encounter makes the practice of medicine meaningful and rewarding.

January 8, 2025 | 2 min read

Beyond the inhaler 

Effective and equitable asthma management requires a holistic approach that addresses the social determinants of health, including air quality, housing conditions, and environmental factors. 

June 29, 2022 | 3 min read

Being PerfecT in Healthcare 

By Mike Fingerhood, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine, Scott Wright, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Moral questions often arise in healthcare. Contemplating how our efforts might translate into the most good deserves our thoughtful consideration. 

March 1, 2018 | 2 min read

Most Physicians Sit Down at the Bedside When Entering a Patient’s Room

By Scott Wright, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Choice architecture, framing, herd behavior, and feedback—how to nudge your patient towards healthier choices.

June 16, 2021 | 1 min read

Why we Must Talk About E-cigarettes with Teen Patients

By Mike Fingerhood, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Proactively counseling adolescents about the risks of e-cigarette use is essential. The message should acknowledge both the health implications and the pressures that they may feel from their peers.

December 10, 2024 | 1 min read

A breath of fresh air

By Mike Fingerhood, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Healthcare professionals can prioritize ongoing conversations about the risks of smoking and vaping with young patients, tailoring their approach to address specific concerns and misconceptions.

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. 

April 2, 2025 | 2 min read

“Alchemy”—book review 

By Scott Wright, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Sprinkling a little bit of magic into whatever you are doing can make it better and more fun. The world, in general, and healthcare are both in need of plenty of magical transformation—read on for ways to get started yourself.  

September 28, 2021 | 1 min read

Considerations When Talking With Patients About Cannabis

By Mike Fingerhood, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

The medical literature on cannabis use is not clear, making it difficult to know what to tell patients. Share both positives and negatives about using marijuana, and help your patient make the best care plan for them.

January 9, 2023 | 2 min read

Questions Raised by “There, There” 

By Mike Fingerhood, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Reflecting on our own “there” (the place where we grew up) can trigger conversation that helps us to understand our patients’ “there.” This can strengthen the patient-clinician relationship.

January 5, 2023 | 1 min read

Quiet Quitting in Healthcare

By Scott Wright, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

The past three years have been difficult in healthcare and some are now doing less than we used to. Because this may be a temporary strategy, patience and understanding may be the most considerate approach.  

November 14, 2018 | 2 min read

How Clinicians can use “Wait, what?”

By Scott Wright, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Asking good questions is fundamental for learning about our patients. Five great questions, assembled by University of Virginia President James Ryan, can help you to connect with, understand, and serve patients better.

July 26, 2018 | 1 min read

A Taste of Their Own Medicine

By Scott Wright, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Videos spreading misinformation to patients, promoting unproven therapies, can spread like wildfire on social media. We are sharing another video to fight fire with fire.

June 29, 2018 | 1 min read

Getting Into Character

By Scott Wright, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Working as a primary care provider for the last 24 years, I can say without a doubt that reading fiction has expanded my capacity to connect with my patients with a greater level of empathy.

January 4, 2024 | 1 min read

Searching for the solution

By Scott Wright, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Improving clinical reasoning skills is a career-long journey where we feel like an expert one day and a novice the next. Commitment to growth and learning from mistakes are absolutely required.  

April 23, 2020 | 1 min read

Bibliotherapy

By Scott Wright, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Happy World Book Day! Read more fiction to broaden your perspectives. If you've never listened to an audiobook, try it! It might just change your life!

August 2, 2022 | 3 min read

Stranger Things in Healthcare

By Scott Wright, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Working in healthcare can often feel like entering the “Upside Down.” The importance of teamwork, bravery, and embracing uncertainty are just a few of the valuable lessons from this terrific Netflix series.    

February 21, 2019 | 1 min read

Substance Use Disorders in Later Life

By Mike Fingerhood, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Substance use disorders in older adults often go undiagnosed because screening is frequently overlooked. Key to supporting patients to make a change is developing rapport and trust.

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.

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.

August 21, 2018 | 1 min read

Talking With Young Adult Patients About Alcohol

By Mike Fingerhood, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Clinicians need to be vigilant to discuss alcohol use with patients and remember that the legal drug, alcohol, causes more morbidity and mortality than opioids.

February 16, 2024 | 1 min read

Patients and politics

By Mike Fingerhood, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Patient-initiated political statements may make healthcare professionals feel uncomfortable. Thoughtful strategies, like redirection, can keep the focus on patient care.