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Moving Us Closer To Osler
A Miller Coulson Academy of Clinical Excellence Initiative
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Creative Arts in Medicine
Connecting with Patients
Passion in the Medical Profession
Lifelong Learning in Clinical Excellence
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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.  

August 1, 2023 | 2 min read

Psychological First Aid

By Albert Wu, MD, MPH, Johns Hopkins Medicine, Matt Norvell, DMin, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Healthcare professionals experience traumatic events that may exceed their ability to cope. Timely emotional support can help maintain their well-being. 

"Deliberate practice is needed."

January 19, 2022 | 2 min read

Cognitive Psychology And Patient-Clinician Connections

By Christine Ko, MD, Yale University

To foster warmth toward patients, first be aware of how you’re feeling. If you're feeling burned out, you can intentionally practice cultivating a more caring attitude. 

February 7, 2022 | 2 min read

How to Improve Clinician-Patient Connections, Part 2

By Christine Ko, MD, Yale University

I almost always run late in clinic. By having a growth mindset, I’ve reframed this as an opportunity to improve.  

January 19, 2021 | 2 min read

How to Mitigate Compassion Fatigue

By Dimitrios Tsatiris, MD, Cleveland, Ohio

Prioritizing self-care and making an effort to connect with others may prevent burnout and allow us to continue to give clinically excellent care to patients.

August 23, 2023 | 1 min read

Navigating the wait (archives, 2023)

By Jennifer Katzenstein, PhD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Accessing timely mental healthcare can be challenging. While waiting to see a mental health professional, lean on support networks and seek emergency care if needed. 

September 1, 2020 | 2 min read

How to Help When Home Isn’t Safe

By Galina Portnoy, PhD, Yale School of Medicine, Jessica Keith, PhD, University of Central Florida, Kelly Buckholdt, PhD, Veterans Health Administration

The pandemic has resulted in everyone spending more time at home, which has increased the potential for being physically, sexually, and psychologically harmed by others. After ensuring that patients feel safe during telehealth appointments, clinicians must directly ask if they are experiencing intimate partner violence and develop a safety plan.

April 13, 2020 | 3 min read

Social Distancing, Not Emotional Distancing

By Loveleena Virk, MD, Kaiser Permanente, Oakland Medical Center, California.

Creating space to recognize and manage feelings of helplessness is critical to prevent burnout and maintain wellness during the pandemic. We share strategies in this piece to help you cope during these challenging times.

February 8, 2022 | 2 min read

How to Improve Patient-Clinician Connections, Part 3

By Christine Ko, MD, Yale University

Starting each visit with a centering exercise focused on the patient may allow one to be fully present.    

"Enlightenment," by David Kopacz, 2020.

December 28, 2020 | 6 min read

Medical Activism: A Foundation of Professionalism

By David Kopacz, MD, University of Washington

Clinicians should expand their definition of professionalism to include working for societal change to improve the health of all.

July 15, 2020 | 5 min read

5 Steps to Regulate Our Emotions

By William Wright, DO, MPH, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Sometimes our feelings are difficult to manage. When working with patients and colleagues, recognizing, understanding, and labeling our emotions can help us to respond more thoughtfully.

November 18, 2020 | 1 min read

She’s Only 24

By Rakesh Patel, MD, University of Nottingham

Listening to patients’ fears and concerns builds understanding about the potential impact of disease on their long term goals. This may be especially important for younger patients.

July 22, 2020 | 4 min read

Virtue Ethics

By Awais Aftab, MD, Case Western Reserve University

Virtue ethics emphasizes the importance of self-knowledge and can help us to understand our patients in the context of the totality of their whole lives.

A drive-in BINGO game during the pandemic,

November 9, 2020 | 2 min read

Supporting Older Patients’ Emotional Health During The Pandemic

By Art Walaszek, MD, University of Wisconsin

We can support our patients’ well-being by encouraging safe social interactions and addressing psychiatric illness.

"Helping Hands," by David Kopacz. Copyright with the artist.

November 3, 2020 | 4 min read

Beyond Resilience: Fighting the Causes of The Burnout Pandemic

By David Kopacz, MD, University of Washington

Clinician wellness should be a shared responsibility between individuals and institutions. Beyond facilitating clinician resilience, institutional transformation is needed.

April 13, 2023 | 5 min read

Navigating Conversations About Psychedelics With Patients

By Natalie Gukasyan, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

There’s been growing interest in the therapeutic potential of psychedelics. This requires that healthcare professionals be well informed and prepared to discuss this experimental therapy.

July 31, 2019 | 3 min read

The Healing Circle as a Holistic Framework

By David Kopacz, MD, University of Washington

As can be learned from a Native American healer, to heal profoundly, one must holistically integrate mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual aspects of being human.

March 21, 2022 | 1 min read

Coping With Disturbing Headlines

By Jennifer Knetig, PhD, VA Northeast Ohio Healthcare, Julia Rose, LISW, Veterans Health Administration, Kelly Buckholdt, PhD, Veterans Health Administration

Many are feeling overwhelmed by the news of the war in Ukraine. Advise patients to find comfort in normal routines, including sleeping, eating, and physical activity. 

"I tend to think I'm above average in singing, but my family isn’t shy in telling me that I’m unskilled and unaware."

February 9, 2022 | 2 min read

How to Improve Clinician-Patient Connections, Part 4

By Christine Ko, MD, Yale University

My “fast” thoughts about a patient may not truly represent their experience. “Slow” thinking may give a more accurate picture.  

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.

Asking about stress levels, mood, sleep quality, and coping strategies in routine medical discussions can provide insight into a patient’s emotional well-being and open the door for further discussion. 

March 31, 2025 | 2 min read

Care of the mind 

By Paige Seegan, PhD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

By proactively discussing mental health, using non-stigmatizing language, and having a list of resources on hand, healthcare professionals can help patients get the support they need. 

The author with teammates.

August 30, 2018 | 1 min read

The Importance and Psychology of Facial Expression

By Patrick Byrne, MBA, MD, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

Carefully noting your patient's facial expression consciously helps you "be" with your patient more effectively, to meet them where they are in their emotional state.

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.

May 6, 2025 | 2 min read

Healing from the emotional toll of a medical error  

Mistakes in patient care are not uncommon. Clinicians can lean on their support systems to recover from stressful events at work. Taking care of yourself enables you to continue giving compassionate care. 

May 5, 2025 | 3 min read

Pause. Process. Proceed.

To navigate the emotional aftermath of traumatic patient encounters, clinicians can utilize the ALL-CLEAR framework: Accept the event, Label emotions, Learn from it, take a moment to pause for breath, and CLEAR your mind. This may enable you to bring your whole self to the next patient while honoring your emotions. 

March 26, 2025 | 1 min read

Calm minds in uncertain times 

By Neda Gould, PhD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

The polarization of politics in 2025 is causing many to feel anxious. Healthcare professionals can prioritize patient and personal mental well-being by promoting and practicing mindful information consumption.  

December 4, 2024 | 2 min read

The complexities of middle age 

By Alicia Arbaje, MD, MPH, PhD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Mid-life is a period marked by multifaceted challenges, including physical, emotional, and social stressors. By adopting a holistic approach that addresses the whole patient healthcare professionals can provide more comprehensive and effective care. 

October 31, 2024 | 3 min read

The human cost of toxic work culture 

By Laura Hanyok, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Healthcare professionals often experience unrealistic work expectations. If this becomes too much, clinicians can seek support, set boundaries, and even consider making a change. 

October 1, 2024 | 2 min read

Supporting parents before they break 

By Mackenzie Sommerhalder, PhD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Many patients experience distress because of their role as parents and caregivers. It is a pediatrics “best practice” to screen parents and offer resources for mental health support.  

June 21, 2023 | 2 min read

Cultivating Healthy Social Media Practices

By Jennifer Katzenstein, PhD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

When discussing safe social media use, help patients to set their own boundaries around time spent online. With young people especially, discuss cyberbullying and online privacy.  

May 30, 2023 | 2 min read

Artificial Intelligence: Artificial? Intelligent? Neither or Both?

By Matthew Peters, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

AI can complement the work of mental health professionals, in addition to performing clerical tasks and analyzing big data for insightful trends.

February 15, 2023 | 2 min read

Speaking from my heart

By Leslie Miller, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

When deeply worried about the mental health of patients, make sure they feel heard, validated, and empowered.  

February 6, 2023 | 1 min read

Finding Peace

By Sandra Burke, PhD, Pacifica Graduate Institute

Nurturing ourselves allows us to better heal our patients. Practicing mindful habits, like deep breathing, is one way we can engage in self-care. 

January 31, 2023 | 1 min read

Brain Candy

By Carol Vidal, MD, PhD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Because we don't know yet how social media affects our brain, it needs to be consumed in moderation. Scheduling times to spend time with friends and family may make it easier to get offline. 

January 12, 2023 | 1 min read

Pain Talk

By Will Frye, PhD, Johns Hopkins All Childrens, St. Petersburg, Florida

Chronic pain is sometimes a challenging topic to discuss with patients. I’ve learned that the most important thing is to validate my patients’ experience of suffering. 

June 6, 2022 | 2 min read

The Weight of Victory

By Alexis Coslick, DO, MS, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Increasing numbers of female collegiate athletes are taking their lives. Athletes, like all patients, need a nonjudgmental environment to help them feel more comfortable sharing their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. 

April 26, 2022 | 1 min read

The Power of Beliefs

By Stephanie Trudeau, PhD, The Thrive Center For Human Development

Explore your patient’s beliefs that invite healing, as well as those that are causing them to suffer. By understanding this, you can guide them to do more of the former and less of the latter. 

Often, doomscrolling leads to going down rabbit holes.

April 7, 2022 | 3 min read

Doom Your Gloom

By Crystal Favorito, pre-med, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Ask your patients about their online behaviors. Doomscrolling—consuming large quantities of negative news online—is an often underrecognized cause of anxiety. 

March 10, 2022 | 2 min read

Balanced conversations about weight

By Colleen Schreyer, PhD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Clinicians can treat weight as simply one more piece of health information that they incorporate into a holistic care plans. This can mitigate stigma and foster empathy. 

January 18, 2022 | 4 min read

How to Make New Habits Stick, Part 3

By Howard Chang, Medical Student, Johns Hopkins Medicine

We can break bad habits in our own lives and help patients do the same by making them unattractive, difficult, unsatisfying, and removing triggers.

"You Let Your Magic Tortoise Go," David Kopacz. Copyright with the artist.

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.

December 22, 2021 | 3 min read

Coping with grief during the holidays

By Ankita Sagar, MD, Brooklyn, New York

Having experienced my cousin’s death before Christmas reminds me that December isn’t a joyous time for everyone. I encourage those struggling to connect with loved ones and limit substance use. 

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.

December 2, 2021 | 3 min read

TikTok: The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly

By Colleen Schreyer, PhD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

For patients who are on social media, encourage them to engage with pro-mental health content on TikTok by watching, liking, and sharing.

July 28, 2020 | 4 min read

Transitional Objects During Physical Isolation

Encourage patients to identify items that remind them of people and places that they love but cannot be near right now. This may help ease feelings of loneliness and longing.

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!

October 19, 2021 | 2 min read

Asking About Your Patient’s Pet

By Elizabeth Steuber, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine, Todd Brenner, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Ask patients about their pets. This can build a bridge to talking about topics like functional status, home life, and family dynamics.

Usain Bolt breaking the 100 meter world and Olympic records at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Public domain, wikipedia.org.

July 27, 2020 | 3 min read

Mental Models

By John Corsino, PT, Cape Cod Hospital

Healthcare professionals face myriad challenges regularly. Empowering ourselves to think creatively and advocate for our patients’ best interests will lead to professional fulfillment and better care for 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.

June 8, 2020 | 4 min read

How to manage difficult emotions

By Howard Chang, Medical Student, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Sometimes the intensity of our thoughts and emotions can be difficult to manage, especially during stressful times like these. To cope, it can be helpful to recognize, allow, and reflect on our feelings.

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