May 12, 2020 | 1 min read

Jump-start End of Life Discussions With “Death Over Dinner”

By Katie Nelson, PhD(c), MSN, RN, Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing

The pandemic has created a sense of urgency around advance care planning and end of life preparations. Resources like "Death Over Dinner" can help broach conversations about death, dying, and the end of life in a non-threatening (and even entertaining) manner.

May 10, 2022 | 2 min read

Supporting Underrepresented Trainees

By Vivian Altiery De Jesus, MD, MBE, Johns Hopkins Medicine

When witnessing racism, we must support those affected to foster an environment of safety and respect.

January 8, 2020 | 1 min read

Medical Overuse: When the Care we Give Doesn’t Help

By Daniel Morgan, MD, University of Maryland

The clinically excellent clinician must commit to reducing overuse.

January 9, 2020 | 3 min read

Top Tips to Support Yourself While Pregnant and Working in Healthcare

You yourself or clinician colleagues will undoubtedly take parental leave at some point. Clinically excellent clinicians and practices use this as an opportunity to enhance continuity and ensure high quality care.

February 7, 2024 | 2 min read

Vacations: a “how-to” guide 

Vacations have been shown to reduce burnout, but sometimes it can feel hard to take time off. Blocking vacation time at the start of the year and getting coverage in place early may help. 

January 23, 2024 | 1 min read

Book review of “The algorithm will see you now”

By Joan Naidorf, DO

In this medical thriller set in the not-too-distant future, diagnosis and treatment are performed entirely by AI. The novel serves as a reminder that AI must be used thoughtfully and responsibly.  

August 17, 2020 | 1 min read

Top Tips For Starting a New Phase in Your Career

By Christle Nwora, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Making time to care for yourself, asking questions, and letting go of perfection can help you successfully navigate a new chapter in your life.

November 13, 2025 | 2 min read

Cognitive shuffle 

For patients with insomnia, coach them to visualize vivid, unrelated images to disrupt rumination and promote sleep onset. You can try it yourself, too! 

June 11, 2019 | 2 min read

Burnt out on Burnout: how to understand what burnout means to you

By Hannah Wilson, MBBS, Harvard Medical School

In order to truly understand and prevent burnout, we must first define what it is that burnout means to each of us.

June 2, 2020 | 3 min read

“Flattening the Curve”

By Madeline Rodriguez, MD, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

The pandemic is breaking down the traditional hierarchy of medical education. Opportunities are emerging for faculty to learn even more from residents.

March 2, 2022 | 1 min read

Redefining Success

By Jennifer Eitingon, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

My patient on palliative radiation died in the hospital, instead of at home as she wanted. I was reminded that we must always create a treatment plan based on the patient’s goals instead of our own. 

November 28, 2022 | 2 min read

What to Know About RSV

By Shannon Scott-Vernaglia, MD, Mass General

Let caregivers know that if symptoms are mild, they can watch children at home and encourage fluid intake. If having trouble breathing, the child should be seen right away. 

January 5, 2019 | 2 min read

Acceptance

By Neda Gould, PhD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

When we practice acceptance in the present moment, we free up energy to see more possibilities. We may notice some clarity in our minds and even less tension in the body. There is freedom in acceptance.

September 16, 2020 | 1 min read

Music For Stress Reduction

By Chris Dingman, vibraphonist and composer

Spend time each day doing something you enjoy, like listening to music. Just a few minutes can help you remain balanced, avoid burnout, and give better care to patients.

December 8, 2021 | 2 min read

Hitting Home Runs in Healthcare

By Colin West, MD, PhD, Mayo Clinic

Clinicians often struggle with errors and imposter syndrome. Just like in sports, coaching helps clinical performance and promotes well-being.

November 6, 2018 | 1 min read

Lessons From Paliambella, Greece

Working to cultivate community cohesiveness in the neighborhoods where we work and where our patients live could help community health achieve its fullest potential. Here are a few simple ways to get started.

November 20, 2019 | 2 min read

“The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down”

By Laura Pugh, Medical Student, Johns Hopkins Medicine

The gap between cultural systems can be wide. Openness, curiosity, and humility will improve cross-cultural care.

May 30, 2019 | 9 min read

Confessions of a Female Doctor who Questions Gender Equity Movements Like TIME’S UP Healthcare

By Kali Cyrus, MD, MPH, Johns Hopkins Medicine

We have to embrace humility and first accept that we have biases, prejudices, and privileges in certain contexts. We must then do the hard work of recognizing when our biases show up in interactions, examine our past experiences that contributed to the development of our biases, and acknowledge the hurt that may be caused by our biases to ourselves and others. If we truly want to stop harassment and create equity, we have to do this emotional work every day. And we should do it to stop harassment and create equity for not just women, but for everyone.

June 13, 2018 | 1 min read

Behavioral Change Bolstered By Human Touch

By Souvik Chatterjee, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

A human doctor is a critical component of creating change in patient behavior and health.

July 16, 2025 | 2 min read

Bowls of care 

Respecting patients’ cultural traditions—like families bringing food to loved ones in the hospital—can provide emotional comfort and strengthen the therapeutic alliance.  

November 7, 2022 | 2 min read

Suggestions For Coping With Grief

By Justin Jeffers, MD, MEHP, Johns Hopkins Medicine

When you or others are grieving, give permission to be vulnerable and accept help. It may sometimes be helpful to work with a therapist. 

March 24, 2020 | 1 min read

Exercising for Wellness During the Pandemic

By Erica Leonard, MD, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

With the drastic changes to our lives due to COVID-19, we can still stay active. Exercise during this challenging time can help improve everyone's emotional well-being and physical health.

August 27, 2020 | 3 min read

Finding Balance During Unbalanced Times

By David Kopacz, MD, University of Washington

Spending time “going into and opening our hearts” is healing and restorative. We can do this for ourselves as healers and guide patients through the practice. It’s as simple as slowing down, putting your hand on your heart, and taking three deep breaths.

February 24, 2018 | 1 min read

Battling The System in Defense of Diagnosis

By Souvik Chatterjee, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Healthcare delivery is at odds with a fundamental aspect of being a physician—strategic curriculum interventions are necessary to preserve the art of diagnosis.

November 2, 2022 | 2 min read

Psychedelics to Quit Smoking?

By Matthew Johnson, PhD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Patients may ask about using psilocybin to stop smoking. While being actively studied, please remind them that it’s still illegal and not necessarily risk-free. 

March 23, 2020 | 4 min read

Finding the Right Words—Lessons From Nurse Mary Borden

By Iro Filippaki, PhD, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

WWI Nurse Mary Borden's autobiography provides inspiration to search for the right words to describe our experience, and perhaps, find solace as we face the challenges of medicine.

January 27, 2025 | 2 min read

The green hospital 

By Nick Dalesio, MD, MPH, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Recognize the significant environmental impact of your healthcare practices. Advocate for and implement sustainable solutions, such as optimizing workflow to reduce waste and improve resource utilization. 

April 25, 2024 | 1 min read

The night owl

By M. Carolina Musri, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Working nights can be challenging. I've found that prioritizing sleep and prepping healthy foods helps a great deal. 

October 28, 2020 | 1 min read

Preventing Dry Eye in the Zoom Era

By Sharon Solomon, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Increased online activities during the pandemic has caused higher rates of dry eye for many. All clinicians should encourage their patients to take regular short breaks from screens.