You searched for Poem - CLOSLER

March 27, 2025 | 1 min read

“Breaking bad news”: a poem

By Miriam Colleran, MD, St. Brigids Hospice & Naas General Hospital, Ireland

I wrote this poem to explore sharing and receiving challenging news from the perspective of both clinician and patient. Reflecting on situations from multiple points of view enhances my ability to empathize.

May 6, 2019 | 3 min read

When I Could not Hear my Patient

By Erin Snyder, MD, University of Alabama School of Medicine

Listening and understanding is what leads to true patient partnership, which is what is going to lead to true health.

July 11, 2022 | 5 min read

Navigating Power Relations in Healthcare

By Hailey Haffey, PhD, University of Utah

We must be aware of the power we have in relation to our patients. This imbalance must only be used in the service of care.

"I think of my daughter standing on her tippy toes, her soapy hands in mine sticky with the day’s adventures. "

January 25, 2024 | 1 min read

At the scrub sink

By Brandi Scully, MD, MS, Johns Hopkins All Childrens Hospital

During the pandemic, living away from my family was rough. I found spending brief periods engaged in an artistic pursuit, like writing poetry, to be healing.

November 8, 2023 | 2 min read

Memory is a poor monument

By David Kopacz, MD, University of Washington

Healthcare professionals often witness challenging events, like the death of a patient. Writing and other artistic expression may help us process emotions.

March 18, 2025 | 1 min read

“I wish for you”

By Kathleen Wenaden, MBBS, London, England

Witnessing suffering requires clinicians to intentionally practice self-care. One idea is to process challenging emotions by writing poetry.

October 31, 2023 | 2 min read

It is 4 a.m.

By David Kopacz, MD, University of Washington

Burnout and emotional detachment are common in medical training. Being aware of this and truly listening to patients can help us renew our compassion.

"Irises," by Elizabeth “Elsie” Sophia Skorski Kopacz.

August 9, 2023 | 2 min read

To Grandmother’s House We Go

By David Kopacz, MD, University of Washington

Religion and spirituality are part of the human experience. Sometimes, it can improve patient well-being to include these topics in our conversations.

April 1, 2025 | 1 min read

The PICC line

By Miriam Colleran, MD, St. Brigids Hospice & Naas General Hospital, Ireland

As a clinician, writing this poem about my daughter’s PICC line was a reminder to focus on optimizing patients’ quality of life. While a medical device can alleviate a patient’s health problem, its presence is a constant reminder of illness.

Blowball With Seeds Flying To The Sky

March 7, 2024 | 1 min read

Co-opting feelings

By Bessie Liu, medical student, Johns Hopkins Medicine

After my cancer treatment, I felt pressured to turn my trauma into personal growth—when what I needed to do was grieve. This has allowed me to validate whatever feelings patients are experiencing.

March 22, 2023 | 2 min read

Beautiful Bodies

By Drea Burbank, MD, Putumayo, Colombia

I chose to leave healthcare to become a hot yoga instructor. Now I help heal patients in a different way.

February 4, 2019 | 1 min read

Behind the Mask

By Mark Stephens, MD, Penn State College of Medicine

Growing into a sense of oneself as a physician requires self-awareness, thoughtfulness, and a habit of reflective practice. The process of art-making represents an interesting way to examine identity formation over time.

July 10, 2025 | 1 min read

The other child

Caring for my daughter with alveolar hemorrhaging syndrome, I watched my other child quietly shoulder confusion and worry. It reminded me that exceptional pediatric care must extend compassion to siblings whose lives are also upended.

June 26, 2025 | 1 min read

Touching the wound with words and hands

Our words and actions, rooted in kindness, are powerful tools for healing. We can use them to mend what is broken in patients, colleagues, and ourselves.

May 15, 2025 | 1 min read

You don’t want to miss

While vigilance in patient care is paramount, healthcare professionals must also look out for their own personal well-being. Cultivating these skills can ultimately improve the health of both patients and clinicians.

April 21, 2025 | 3 min read

There’s been a suicide

I wrote this poem recently after learning of a veteran’s death by suicide. This prompted me to reflect on my work as a psychiatrist, systemic failures, and the cyclical nature of grief.

April 10, 2025 | 2 min read

Full disclosure

I wrote this poem to highlight the profound impact of truly listening to patients. This may be especially critical when patients are suffering and the diagnosis remains a mystery.

May 22, 2023 | 5 min read

“Death is Never Neat”

By Rachel Coghlan, PhD, MPH, Center for Humanitarian Health, Bloomberg School of Public Health

There are many ways we support those journeying through illness and death. Our authentic caring often finds itself in this sometimes-messy space.

March 13, 2023 | 2 min read

Hands

By Drea Burbank, MD, Putumayo, Colombia

Before entering medical school, paramedic school taught me how to comfort patients with a calm and reassuring touch.

September 30, 2020 | 2 min read

Perspective-taking Through Poetry

By Howard Chang, Medical Student, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Creative writing may enhance our ability to recognize and understand conflicting perspectives in order to better empathize with our patients.

March 6, 2025 | 2 min read

Invincible

By Roshni Beeharry, MBBS, Kings College London

Clinicians should be as person-centered as possible when caring for patients; seemingly small details, like a child's request for butterflies painted on her pink spinal jacket, can have a positive impact.

August 5, 2019 | 2 min read

Training and Identity

What parts of yourself do you want to bring back into your life that you may have lost during residency?

"I close my ears and journey to the moon . . ."

February 20, 2024 | 1 min read

Sickle cell does not have me

By Lily Kwak, medical student, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Creating art, like poetry, may help clinicians to process the complex emotions that can arise while caring for patients.

December 19, 2023 | 3 min read

Spinoza and 21st-century medicine

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

I learned about the mind-body connection from the philosopher Spinoza. A holistic clinical approach emphasizes the relationship between mental well-being and physical health.

June 10, 2019 | 4 min read

Lessons learned from my journey through depression

By Shannon Scott-Vernaglia, MD, Mass General

Being a patient has taught me patience, with myself, with those I care about, and with those I care for as physician.

"Abstract Painting (726)" 1990, Gerhard Richter, Tate Museum.

December 6, 2018 | 5 min read

Lines Blurred

By Ekene Ojukwu, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Really taking care of a patient means making hard choices, saying things people don’t want to hear, and letting them decide if they will engage in their own care. At the same time, it means learning different ways of listening, looking for opportunities and strategies to trust our patients, believing their stories, and seeing them as full individuals

July 12, 2022 | 1 min read

When I Doubted my Patient

By Mengyi "Zed" Zha, MD, Othello, Washington

When patients are labeled as “poor historians,” it implies that they’re not to be trusted.

"Mirror." Copyright with Andrew Kwok.

September 14, 2023 | 2 min read

Mirror, Mirror on The Wall

By Andrew Kwok, medical student, Albany Medical College

To become an excellent doctor, I learned to create a personalized medical education plan that plays to my strengths within the formal curriculum.

"Nighthawks," Edward Hopper, 1942.

January 2, 2019 | 3 min read

The Human Experience of Illness

By Tina Zhang, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Paintings, photographs, and poems can foster dialogue about the human experience of illness and allow learners to approach challenging topics in a more comfortable way.

The courtyard within the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, Boston, Massachusetts. Photograph by Flora Smyth Zahra.

November 26, 2019 | 7 min read

October Art Museum Challenge

By Flora Smyth Zahra, MA Clin Ed, DRestDent RCS, FHEA, Kings College London, Margaret Chisolm, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Students appreciate the opportunity to engage with one another in the sanctuary of an art museum; the setting itself fosters well-being.

The flower "Malva Silvestros," in the mountains of Western Greece, where Hippocrates built one of the first hospitals in Europe.

November 2, 2023 | 2 min read

“Life is short and Art is long”

By David Kopacz, MD, University of Washington

The Art of Medicine requires balancing science, care for others, and care for ourselves. Caring for ourselves is particularly important when we're not feeling well.

September 25, 2024 | 2 min read

Seasons of my mother

By Lisa Young, medical student, Johns Hopkins Medicine

My mother had cancer while I was a pre-med student. In caring for her, I learned that it’s important for healthcare professionals to extend empathy not only to patients, but to their loved ones and caregivers as well.

September 18, 2024 | 2 min read

“My cotton-wool-spotted coat”

By Victoria Holm, medical student, California University of Science and Medicine

Along with disease-knowledge, effective care for patients always requires empathy and compassion. In patients with diabetes, it’s important to recognize the unique challenges they face and the impact the disease has on their lives.

"The Zubaran, St Hugh of Grenoble at the Carthusian Refectory," ca 1663. Owned by Museo de Bellas Artes, Sevilla.

August 13, 2020 | 3 min read

Exploring Professional Identity Through Art

By Angelica Kene Ezeigwe, Medical Student, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Reflecting periodically on why you chose medicine as a career may help you to reconnect with your passion and rekindle the joy of serving patients.

Original painting by Dr. David Kopacz.

August 24, 2023 | 2 min read

it is internship year

By David Kopacz, MD, University of Washington

To give excellent patient care, healthcare professionals must prioritize their own mental health and that of their trainees. This could include self-help strategies, like writing, along with professional support.

June 18, 2025 | 1 min read

Lewy-body diary

This poem describes the profound loss of autonomy experienced by patients with dementia. It’s a call to truly see the person grappling with the reality of their diminishing faculties.

"Planting The Seed of The Heart," by David Kopacz.

September 21, 2021 | 7 min read

How are you . . . really?

By David Kopacz, MD, University of Washington

A helpful practice to connect and understand your patient is to ask, "How are you doing . . . really?” If they’re hesitant to respond, consider sharing something you’ve found stressful lately to open the conversation.

March 24, 2025 | 2 min read

Bones and “bons mots” (Fr)

Narrative medicine provides a framework for integrating empathy, reflection, and trust into all fields of medical practice, fostering deeper connections between practitioners and patients.

March 6, 2025 | 1 min read

Interactions

By Hanan Akbari, MFA student, Boston University

Prioritize dedicated listening time for patients, especially those experiencing isolation. The simple act of providing empathetic company can significantly enhance their well-being.

January 7, 2025 | 3 min read

“Hope is the thing with feathers”

By Karen Abernathy, CRNP, MSN, Johns Hopkins Medicine

By acknowledging patient emotions and actively listening without judgement, clinicians can improve communication barriers. This can build trust and may be especially important for those who are resistant to our care recommendations.

February 14, 2024 | 1 min read

A lesson on spider angiomata

By Ridge Maxson, medical student, Johns Hopkins Medicine

As a first-year medical student, I spent time with a patient who had alcohol-related liver disease. He taught me the importance of always knowing the patient’s personhood in addition to their medical condition.

"Shamanic Vision." Original painting by the author. Copyright with the author.

April 2, 2020 | 4 min read

Staying Connected Inside and Out During the Pandemic

By David Kopacz, MD, University of Washington

Finding creative ways to connect to ourselves and to others is more important than ever in these days of social distancing.

January 30, 2024 | 1 min read

Waiting room

By Meher Kalkat, medical student, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Family members’ lives may be significantly impacted by their loved one’s illness. They need our comfort and support as well.

WWI Battle of Verdun Cemetery, Verdun, France.

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.

February 26, 2020 | 2 min read

How to Process Emotions as a Team

By Peter Heikkinen, MDiv, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Excellent clinical teams support each other by reflecting on patient encounters and sharing their emotions.

"Letter to myself at age 12," copyright with the artisit.

January 22, 2024 | 1 min read

Letter to myself at age 12

By Ashley Minner Jones, PhD, MFA, Baltimore, MD

When I shared a work of my art at an exhibition, I was surprised how deeply people connected with it. This helped me have even more empathy and understanding for others. We all sometimes struggle with being human.

A Reversed Retrogress: Scene 1 (The Purple Shall Govern) (2013), Mary Sibande. Courtesy of the artist and Somerset House London. Photograph by Flora Smyth Zahra.

October 28, 2019 | 5 min read

September Art Museum Challenge

By Flora Smyth Zahra, MA Clin Ed, DRestDent RCS, FHEA, Kings College London, Margaret Chisolm, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

By providing a creative space in which healthcare professionals can build skills integral to clinical practice, while also expressing their vulnerabilities and humanity, art museum-based education can humanize healthcare and provide an antidote to burnout.

July 22, 2019 | 5 min read

5 Lessons From Visible Ink

By Anoushka Sinha, MD, Columbia University

It is humbling to remember we are merely characters in our patients' stories. We are neither the author nor the narrator, and certainly not the lead.

June 4, 2019 | 3 min read

Haiku on Phone

By Crystal Jing Jing Yeo, MD, PhD, MassGeneral, Brigham and Women Hospital, Harvard Medical School

To be a true healer is to heal not just in life, but also through dying and death.

The author's drawing of her heart utilizing the technique of defamiliarization.

February 14, 2019 | 3 min read

Defamiliarization

By Sarah Walser, , Penn State College of Medicine

Incorporating defamiliarization into practice builds empathy and broadens our worldview. It challenges us to expand and find confluence between different frameworks through which an experience, such as a disease, can be interpreted.