February 11, 2021 | 6 min read

Checklists and Connections

By Neda Frayha, MD, University of Maryland

Take five minutes to connect with a patient with no medical agenda. You may be surprised by how much joy it brings both you and them.

July 11, 2023 | 5 min read

Partial Listening is Partial Medicine

By David Kopacz, MD, University of Washington

Sometimes we hear only what we're listening for, and if we divide attention, we can miss critical information. We must strive to Iisten with the "third ear" to hear not only what's said, but also what's unsaid. 

January 22, 2020 | 2 min read

How to Help Patients who Feel Angry

By Leslie Miller, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Asking your patient open-ended questions about how they're doing can lead to a much deeper conversation that not only illuminates the origin of their anger and suggests treatment strategies, but can also be therapeutic in itself.

March 2, 2023 | 2 min read

Meaningful Chords

By Ben Roberts, CRNP, AGACNP-BC, ACHPN, Johns Hopkins Medicine

When my patient’s wife brought his guitar to the hospital, I realized it’s impossible to overestimate the impact of reuniting patients with what matters most to them. Do what you can to make this happen. 

August 6, 2020 | 3 min read

5 tips for supporting people with autism

By Roma Vasa, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

It’s critical to make time to understand how your patient communicates best, learn their strengths, empathize with their challenges, and give them as much autonomy and choice as possible.

January 10, 2022 | 2 min read

Being Present During The Dying Process

By Shireen Heidari, MD, Stanford University

It’s the job of all clinicians to guide patients and their loved ones through the experience of death. Offering support and being present can help them navigate the end of life. 

November 27, 2023 | 2 min read

When the truth (literally) hurts

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

When our patients are facing surgery or other procedures, thoughtful questions can help allay their worries.  

July 25, 2019 | 2 min read

3 Lessons From my First House Call

By Jessica Colburn, MD, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

It is a privilege to be present with our patients, even during times of pain and loss. Meaningful connections, like those that naturally emerge during house calls, provide space for important decision making, comfort, and hope.

November 21, 2022 | 3 min read

The Angry Daughter

By Bill Bachman, MD, Albany Medical College

When working with patients or loved ones who are confrontational, recognize your own feelings, try to understand theirs, and know when to ask for help from colleagues. 

July 24, 2019 | 3 min read

Time, Talent, and Treasure

By Jennifer Foster, MD, MBA, Florida Atlantic University

Excellent clinicians always strive to make human connections with their patients. This creates the foundation of trust and respect essential to healing.

December 15, 2021 | 1 min read

The Power of Humor

By Jennifer Eitingon, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

My dying patient taught me that laughter can sometimes normalize difficult situations. Finding humor in the problem lightened the mood and allowed us to devise a care plan that preserved her dignity.  

June 23, 2020 | 1 min read

Connecting Despite Physical Distance

By Carey Roesler, PA-C, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Telemedicine visits are an opportunity to hone our listening skills, thus improving the care of our patients.

July 17, 2024 | 1 min read

Building bridges

Some patients have strong preferences that may not align with best practices of care. Empathy, active listening, and kindness can build trust and guide patients toward making informed medical decisions.

November 9, 2022 | 2 min read

Trust

By Joanne Shay, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

While caring for a four-year-old girl diagnosed with lymphoma, I learned that acknowledging and validating patient and family fears strengthens relationships.

June 28, 2018 | 1 min read

Reciprocating At Esperanza

By Randy Barker, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine, retired

Making an effort to learn words in the patient's first language can make a huge difference in the physician-patient connection.

April 20, 2020 | 3 min read

Gender-Affirming Care During the Pandemic

By Carl G. Streed Jr., MD, MPH, Boston Medical Center, Liam Hein, PhD, RN, University of South Carolina, College of Nursing, Paula Neira, JD, MSN, RN, CEN, FAAN, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Postponing procedures safeguards public health but can be distressing, particularly for transgender patients. Be proactive and transparent about access limitations during the pandemic.

November 18, 2021 | 3 min read

Adequate Bandwith

By Jennifer Eitingon, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Recently, a patient dying of cancer requested CPR despite many clinicians advising against it. When it feels challenging to understand a patient’s decision, I remind myself to consider the situation from a different perspective.

October 27, 2022 | 2 min read

Connections Accelerated

By Jamie Schwartz, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Some clinical encounters require establishing a patient-doctor connection quickly. Providing emotional support may improve your ability to create trusting relationships.