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C L O S L E R
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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April 27, 2022 | 2 min read

Listening to Your Patient’s Grief

By Avani Prabhakar, MBBS, MPH, Johns Hopkins Medicine

By listening to a patient’s story of loss, we bear witness and affirm their experience. 

Photograph by Sheldon H. Gottlieb, MD, (c) 2018, all rights reserved.

June 5, 2018 | 2 min read

Clinical Excellence: It Takes A Village

By William Greenough, MD, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

The key to clinical excellence in long term care rests not solely on the physician, but also with hands-on bedside caregivers—the unsung heroes of healthcare—nurses, and in this patient story, a recreational therapist.

March 20, 2018 | 2 min read

7 Things Clinicians Can Learn From Therapy Dogs

By Stephanie Cooper Greenberg, Johns Hopkins Pet Therapy Program

Dogs see the person in front of them only as people and not as patients.

Mollie, a superhero therapy dog who works with the author's pet therapy team. Copyright by the author.

April 27, 2020 | 1 min read

Therapy Dogs—Giving Joy Virtually

By Stephanie Cooper Greenberg, Johns Hopkins Pet Therapy Program

In this time of waiting, many therapy dog programs share love and gratitude virtually—sending silly pictures, sweet thoughts, and getting ready for the day when they can visit in person once again.

August 23, 2023 | 1 min read

Navigating The Wait

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 10, 2020 | 2 min read

Collaborating With Physical Therapists

By John Corsino, PT, Cape Cod Hospital

Better collaboration between clinicians and PT colleagues can improve the health outcomes of our patients.

May 9, 2019 | 2 min read

Ending Conversion Therapy

By Carl G. Streed Jr., MD, MPH, Boston Medical Center

Speaking up to end conversion therapy is fulfilling one of our fundamental oaths: primum non nocere—first do no harm.

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.

January 13, 2022 | 3 min read

How Being Foster Parents Has Improved Our Care of Patients

By Lindsay Terrell, MD, Duke University, Patrick Hemming, MD, Duke University

Fostering children reminds us of the foundational impact of genuine empathy and compassion on the well-being of those we care for.  

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.  

August 31, 2022 | 2 min read

Reducing Overdose Risk For Minority Patients 

By Brendan Saloner, PhD, Johns Hopkins Medicine, Omeid Heidari, PhD, NP, MPH, Johns Hopkins Medicine

When caring for patients with opioid and other substance use disorders, focus on using tools such as evidence-based medications, naloxone, and fentanyl test strips. 

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. 

May 16, 2022 | 1 min read

Sharing Mental Health Diagnoses With Patients

By Leslie Miller, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

For some patients, a mental health diagnosis brings relief. For others, it doesn’t. Regardless, we must take the time to educate patients and caregivers about symptoms, what to expect during the course of illness, and warning signs that suggest the need for attention. 

March 15, 2022 | 1 min read

Clinicians And Faith

By Susan Lehmann, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

In these turbulent times, faith can be a bulwark against cynicism and despair. It can help us maintain a generosity of spirit toward patients, colleagues, and ourselves.    

July 10, 2018 | <1 min read

Better Dementia Care Through Music

By Michele Bellantoni, MD, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

Having your older patients listen to music can be an effective way to reduce dementia-related behavioral disturbances.

May 31, 2023 | 1 min read

Lessons From a Leaf-Coated Dog

By Catherine Callister, MD, University of Colorado

Encouraging patients to bring things that remind them of home to the hospital may help promote healing.  

May 25, 2023 | 2 min read

Fighting The Feed

By Colleen Schreyer, PhD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Limiting social media use and being selective about what you view can help cultivate a positive body image. 

November 25, 2020 | 2 min read

Naming Chickens

By Claire Crawford, MSW, PhD, Texas Childrens

Incorporate laughter and joy where you can, giving yourself, your patients, and their families, moments of respite.

July 26, 2022 | 2 min read

Sharing One More Pint

By Avani Prabhakar, MBBS, MPH, Johns Hopkins Medicine

When caring for a cancer patient who lived days longer than expected, I learned to be humble in my prognostications and to help patients receive “extra” moments of life as gift. 

A shared client-therapist drawing created in a teletherapy session on Zoom whiteboard. Copyright with the authors.

May 4, 2020 | 2 min read

Connecting With Teens Via Telemedicine

By Michelle Munson, LMSW, PhD, Nadia Jenefsky, MPS, LCAT

Suspending judgement is critical to building a trusting relationship, especially with teens.

February 11, 2020 | 2 min read

Moving Mountains

By Susan Huff, RN, MSN, Johns Hopkins Homecare Group

In end of life care, excellent clinicians can and should move mountains to get patients home if that's where they want and need to be.

July 25, 2018 | 2 min read

The Joy of Realizing You Were Wrong and the Importance of Believing in Recovery for All

By Angela Guarda, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Helping patients change unhealthy behaviors can feel challenging, but what feels like today’s failure can be tomorrow’s story of recovery.

October 30, 2019 | 13 min read

Partnering With Parents—An Appraisal of Familial Feelings

By Monique Webber

The clinically excellent clinician understands that each family responds to and copes with chronic illness or disability differently. Being open-minded when partnering with families, and especially parents, is critical for ensuring a trusting relationship and providing support.

April 4, 2018 | 3 min read

Race, Funding, and Access to High Quality Care

By Sophie Lanzkron, MD, MDH, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

Sophie Lanzkron, MD, MHS, advocates for systemic change to increase access to high quality sickle cell care for all patients.

April 30, 2020 | 4 min read

Letting go of Your Agenda

By Allison Chrestensen, MPH, OTR/L

Compassionate care requires that we trust our patients to guide us.

"Odysseus in front of Scylla and Charybdis." Henry Fuseli. 1794-1796. Public domain.

November 7, 2019 | 4 min read

Responsible Opioid Prescribing

By Travis Rieder, PhD, Johns Hopkins Berman Institute of Bioethics

Responsible opioid prescribing requires navigating between the Scylla of over-prescribing and the Charybdis of under-prescribing. Clinicians can work toward this goal by initiating prescriptions when (and only when) appropriate, managing them over the long-term, and knowing how to compassionately deprescribe when the time comes.

July 2, 2019 | 5 min read

Shock, Grief, and Arrival

By Paulo Selber, MD, Columbia University

In the process of decisions regarding children’s welfare, listening to the parent’s feelings will always be the right thing to do.

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.

June 23, 2021 | 6 min read

Aducanumab: The Clinical Wisdom of Being Conservative, Careful, And Transparent

By Constantine Lyketsos, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Clinicians frequently face thorny ethical dilemmas when caring for patients. Take time to reflect on all components of these issues before discussions with patients.

Author's photos, including a photo of the portrait of Anna (center).

March 6, 2019 | 1 min read

Calling Card for the Soul

By Stephanie Cooper Greenberg, Johns Hopkins Pet Therapy Program

Pets hold a special place in all of our hearts. To connect with patients and to show genuine interest, ask them about their pets. You may be surprised how much you will learn about your patient including who they are, what matters to them, and what they love.

Employers must cultivate a nurturing culture that supports the emotional and physical needs of their employees.

February 9, 2021 | 3 min read

How to Support Patients With Chronic Pain and Substance Use Disorder

By Juliette Perzhinsky, MD, MSc, Central Michigan University

All patients must be treated with empathy. Those suffering with chronic pain and addiction may be especially deserving of compassion.

March 26, 2019 | 3 min read

Tunnel Carver

By Christopher Wolfgang, MD, PhD, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

"Carve a tunnel of hope through the dark tunnel of disappointment." ~ Reverend Martin Luther King Jr.

"Corridor in the Asylum," Vincent van Gogh, 1889. The Met Museum.

March 5, 2018 | 3 min read

Demystifying Psychiatry

By Margaret Chisolm, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Demystifying psychiatry for patients is the heart of my work. In its existential aspects, psychotherapy calls for the imagination of alternative possibilities.

March 2, 2018 | 4 min read

The Joy of Mentoring

By Ivor Berkowitz, MBBCh, MBA, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Making time to mentor a high school student can be refreshing and rejuvenating for all clinicians.

September 23, 2019 | 3 min read

How to Manage Chronic Pain and Opioids

By Ryan Graddy, MD, AbsoluteCARE Medical Center, Atlanta, Georgia

Safe opioid stewardship is a key objective when managing chronic pain. Combining evidence-based strategies and compassionate care can help you to realize these goals.

August 9, 2021 | 4 min read

Hiding in Plain Sight: Just Ask, or You’ll Miss Most Eating Disorders

By Angela Guarda, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Although five percent of the population has a clinically significant eating disorder, most aren't detected because clinicians don’t ask. Simply asking,“What is the MOST you would be comfortable weighing?” can help identify a restrictive eating disorder.

August 22, 2023 | 4 min read

HeART And Soul

By Jonathan McFarland, Medical English Coach, Autonomous University of Madrid

Incorporating the arts into patient care may be a step toward infusing compassion into what can be a dehumanizing healthcare environment. 

September 5, 2019 | 2 min read

Book Review of “In Pain”

By Traci Speed, MD, PhD, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

Clinicians need to understand that patients' pain is real to build rapport and reassurance, which will help patients be open to the full range of treatment options.

November 10, 2023 | 2 min read

Final Journeys

By Elizabeth Gundersen, MD, University of Colorado

Today, we remember patients who have served our country. We are grateful for the honor and privilege of caring for these veterans through their final journeys.

April 5, 2023 | 2 min read

Big “S” And Not Much “OAP” 

By Emily Rodriguez, medical student, Johns Hopkins Medicine

I could offer no medicine, but I was able to give my patient the best treatment possible just by listening and validating.  

February 23, 2023 | 3 min read

Embracing Care Partners

By Ariel Green, MD, PhD, MPH, Johns Hopkins Medicine

When caring for older adults, collaborate with and support their care partners – their loved ones. Their vital roles are often overlooked. 

April 16, 2019 | 2 min read

4 Lessons From 12 Years as a Patient-Doctor

By Julia Michie Bruckner, MD, MPH, Children\'s Hospital Colorado, University of Colorado School of Medicine

Our white coats are not shields; they could be traded in for a flimsy hospital gown at any moment. Keeping this in mind, we can think of how we want to be cared for when our time comes, and then give this level of care to others. We can honor our shared humanity and vulnerability in our practice.

"Granulation," by Dr. Megan Gerber. Copyright with the artist.

February 1, 2021 | 4 min read

Processing Emotions Through Art

By Megan Gerber, MD, MPH, Albany Medical College

Writing or drawing after a challenging patient encounter may help you work through your feelings and mitigate burnout.

April 11, 2018 | 3 min read

Five Tips to Support Your Grieving Patient

By Jane Schindler, LCSW-C ACHP-SW, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

A licensed clinical social worker offers her top tips for supporting grieving patients.

September 13, 2022 | 2 min read

Psychedelics and Health

By Mary Yaden, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Psychedelic therapies have long been feared and avoided. We must acknowledge that there are clinical indications where these treatments are profoundly beneficial.   

May 20, 2020 | 4 min read

Lessons From Ebola Outbreaks

By Linda Mobula, MD, MPH, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Prior epidemics, like Ebola, have taught us much about caring for patients. While PPE creates a barrier between ourselves and our patients, it’s still possible to give excellent care.

May 2, 2022 | 3 min read

The Alarming Rise in Pediatric Suicide

By Elizabeth Reynolds, PhD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Rates of childhood suicide have been rising steadily and this is now the second leading cause of death for youth. It's critical to screen children for suicidal thoughts and behaviors.   

September 17, 2018 | 2 min read

Listening, Educating, and Giving Reassurance

By Sharon Solomon, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

By focusing on one patient at a time, 35-40 per day, my mission and approach to patient care is to listen, to educate, to intervene with treatment when I can, and to provide reassurance.

February 17, 2020 | 1 min read

Insights From “Dying in the Neurological ICU”

By Ambereen Mehta, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Excellent clinicians are aware of the level of uncertainty in which we practice and empathize with the challenge that patients and families face in the face of that uncertainty.

December 14, 2021 | 1 min read

Supporting Loved Ones of People With Addictions

By Angela Orozco, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

The impact of addiction extends beyond the individual. We can offer and introduce resources like Al-Anon to both patients and their loved ones. 

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