October 5, 2023 | 2 min read

When Medication is an Empty Promise (Sudafed) 

By Charles Flexner, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Communicating uncertainty effectively is part of being an excellent physician. This is especially true when it comes to the medications we recommend to patients. 

August 25, 2020 | 4 min read

A Real Hero and a Real Human Being

By Andrew Philip, PhD, Primary Care Development Corporation

The pandemic has created more stress for everyone, including healthcare professionals. Finding a relaxing activity to practice regularly can help you persevere.

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.

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.

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.

October 21, 2025 | 2 min read

Stroke, breath, care

Swimming taught me the importance of rhythm and breath. During difficult conversations with patients and families, I make room for quiet pauses to give them time to process.

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.

February 25, 2021 | 2 min read

How You Can Help With Intimate Partner Violence

By Lisa Geller, MPH, Educational Fund to Stop Gun Violence

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a public health crisis and most deadly when a gun is involved. Clinicians should screen patients for IPV, ask about firearm possession, and refer those at risk of IPV to appropriate services.

February 11, 2025 | 6 min read

“The Tao of Medicine” 

By David Kopacz, MD, University of Washington

The clinician's mindful presence and understanding of the patient's full humanity are as crucial to healing as technical skill. Let go of using language to define your experience; instead focus on the wisdom that can be found in the empty spaces between thoughts. 

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.

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 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.  

February 6, 2025 | 2 min read

Code blue 

By Ursula Gately, medical student, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Extreme heat often dominates the climate change conversation, however the dangers of extreme cold may be more perilous. Support patients, particularly those who are unhoused or with housing insecurity, by making sure they know about local warming shelters and advising them to limit exposure to the elements. 

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.  

April 18, 2019 | 2 min read

The Importance of Rest

By Gretchen Miller, Managing Editor

Make time for rest in order to lead a good life! This includes not working around-the-clock, prioritizing both work and non-work activities equally, and using your vacation time!

April 16, 2024 | 1 min read

Changing gears (archives, 2024)

By Chris Tiplady, MD, Northumbria Healthcare, England

At the start of the pandemic, I permanently switched my commute from car to bike. I'm now passionate about motivating patients to be more active.

April 23, 2019 | 1 min read

Reacting Versus Responding

By Neda Gould, PhD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

The next time you find yourself in a stressful communication, pause. Take one deep breath - buy yourself a little time with this breath. This pause can change everything.

October 9, 2018 | 2 min read

Five Authors to Follow

Reading for a few minutes before bedtime is a calming habit, and a great way to fit in a few words from inspiring authors to fuel your practice.

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. 

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.

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.

May 13, 2025 | 2 min read

The unseen front line: lessons from my military deployment  

In a field hospital, one learns quickly about clear communication and thoughtful decision making. These behaviors and working collaboratively with others are just as critical across all clinical settings. 

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.

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.

November 27, 2018 | 3 min read

Sleep on it!

By Logan Schneider, MD, Stanford Medicine

Give yourself enough sleep to retain new learning, give better patient care, and help prevent burnout!

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. 

June 2, 2021 | 4 min read

When “No” to Others Means “Yes” to Yourself

By Ijeoma Nnodim Opara, MD, Wayne State University

Self-care requires the courage to say “no” to things that do not reinforce your self-worth, priorities, and purpose. This will allow you to most effectively serve your patients.

September 7, 2021 | 1 min read

The Emotional Toll of The Ongoing Pandemic

By Neda Gould, PhD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

The pandemic is far from over—we are again faced with fears and uncertainties. It can be helpful to remind people to focus on what is in their control and to lean on their support systems.