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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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A safe takeout meal for residents and fellows to pick up.

January 13, 2021 | 1 min read

How to Support Your Learners During a Pandemic

By Laura Hanyok, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Listening to your trainees is always the first step in prioritizing their well-being and mitigating burnout. This is especially important during challenging times.

March 3, 2018 | 2 min read

Six Steps to Make Wellness Work

By Laura Hanyok, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Our well-being as physicians is an essential part of professionalism. If we aren't well, we can't provide the best care to our patients, who deserve our best.

January 6, 2021 | 1 min read

5 Wellness Tips for 2021

By John Poehler

To mitigate burnout, prioritize sleep and gratitude.

September 8, 2020 | 1 min read

10 Ways to Cultivate Well-being During The Pandemic

By Rachel Salas, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

It's important to make an effort to improve your sense of well-being to help prevent burnout, especially during the strain of the pandemic.

June 30, 2021 | 2 min read

Promoting Wellness Through Intergenerational Connections

By Susan Lehmann, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Bridging the generations can enhance emotional well-being for young and old. Encourage patients to reach out to older family members and neighbors!

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.

The koru is a spiral shape based on the appearance of a new unfurling silver fern frond. It's an integral symbol in Māori art, carving and tattooing, where it symbolizes new life, growth, strength and peace. Photo by David Kopacz.

October 18, 2022 | 7 min read

A New Paradigm For Growth 

By David Kopacz, MD, University of Washington, Lucinda Houghton, PhD

As with other traumas, burnout, viewed as an opportunity for personal and professional development, offers a way to expand ourselves as wholehearted healers.

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.

Boundary Waters Wilderness, Minnesota.

October 3, 2022 | 4 min read

Setting Boundaries in Medicine

By Laura Hanyok, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Key to mitigating burnout is managing expectations of yourself and others, while still fulfilling our duties to patients. 

March 26, 2020 | 2 min read

6 Ways to Stay Calm Amidst the Media Storm

By Neda Gould, PhD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

It is normal to feel anxious during uncertain times. However, there are tools that we can practice so that our anxieties don't overwhelm us. Remind yourself to come back to the present using a phrase such as "this moment is the only reality" or "one moment at a time."

September 21, 2022 | 1 min read

Finding Passion, Purpose, and Meaning

By Carisa Parrish, PhD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

When experiencing burnout on the job, enjoying activities outside of work may lead to greater happiness and life satisfaction, until your passion for work returns. 

October 25, 2021 | 1 min read

Helping Patients Practice Healthy Habits

By Sajida Chaudry, MD, MPH, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Imagining a healthier lifestyle is the first step toward wellness. You can then help patients to make small changes to their daily routine.

April 4, 2019 | 3 min read

Top 10 Tips for Talking With Your Patients About Food

By Roxanne Sukol, MD, Cleveland Clinic

You are what you eat! Making the time to talk to your patients about food and nutrition can help them achieve lasting health.

July 17, 2019 | <1 min read

Dr. Laura Hanyok: A CLOSLER Look

By Gretchen Miller, Managing Editor

The care of your patients will suffer if you don't prioritize your own well-being.

January 9, 2020 | 3 min read

Top Tips to Support Yourself While Pregnant and Working in Healthcare

By Laura Hanyok, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

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.

"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.

November 22, 2022 | 3 min read

Living Your Best Life

By Margaret Chisolm, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

By understanding what a good life looks like for each patient, clinicians can move beyond merely treating diseases to helping people flourish. 

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.

May 19, 2022 | 2 min read

Recognizing Relapse

By Susan Lehmann, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

The earlier that the return of psychiatric symptoms is detected, the more quickly a patient’s mental well-being can be restored. 

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.

"Our medical training leaves us ill-equipped to manage feelings associated with this uncertainty, especially the shame that often accompanies a medical error."

April 15, 2021 | 3 min read

To Err is Human

By Linda Lee, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Being honest with patients about errors can help ease their pain and preserve the patient-clini​cian relationship.

March 12, 2019 | 2 min read

Physician Burnout: The Pressure Continues to Grow

By Colin West, MD, PhD, Mayo Clinic

Support for physician mental health must be made more widely available. We must remove the stigma associated with accessing this support.

January 4, 2023 | 2 min read

Intergenerational Connections

By Susan Lehmann, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

We can benefit from relationships with those of different ages. Encourage patients to consider joining a community group with people from across generations. 

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.

September 15, 2020 | 3 min read

How to Talk With Patients About Sexual Health

By Matthew Hamill, MBChB, PhD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Sexual health can be a sensitive topic to discuss. Asking open-ended questions and allowing time for your patient’s story to unfold can create a safe space for conversations about sexual health.

March 24, 2022 | 3 min read

Life-Work Balance

By Deirdre Johnston, MBBCh, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

To mitigate burnout, remember the things that used to fascinate and inspire you before you became a clinician.   

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!

"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.

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. 

"Sunflowers," Vincent van Gogh, 1889. Philadelphia Museum of Art.

May 2, 2019 | 4 min read

Grieving Unexpected Patient Outcomes

By Stacia Dearmin, MD, Akron Children\'s Hospital

Acknowledging and processing grief can bring healing to the clinician.

January 3, 2023 | 3 min read

Having Fun Can Change Your Life

By Mike Rucker, PhD, Active Wellness

Lack of time and minimal control of your schedule can be significant sources of burnout. Discover simple ways to reclaim your time and integrate pleasurable experiences.

September 29, 2021 | 2 min read

Finding Your Way to Compassion Satisfaction

By Wilson Hurley, LCSW

Practicing strategies that renew compassion will allow you to care for patients more effectively.

Image by Diana Anderson.

September 16, 2019 | 2 min read

Is Hospital Design Equitable?

By Diana Anderson, MD, MArch, Clincial Geriatrics Fellow, University of California, San Francisco

Design impacts our emotions, behaviors, and overall health. To ensure design equity for all, the culture of healthcare advocates for patient-centered design, and needs to do so for spaces that affect staff.

Stories and laughter over dinner are a wonderful way to bond together. Photo by the author.

August 20, 2019 | 5 min read

How to Make Family Dinner Happen at Least Once a Week

By David Cohen, MD, Rutgers Health, Mital Patel-Cohen, MD, Summit Medical Group

Excellent clinicians have to make time for wellness and family bonding. Prioritizing a family dinner at least once a week is one way to do this.

January 18, 2023 | 2 min read

Finding a PCP

By Laura Hanyok, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Finding a primary care physician can take time, but it’s worth it to find a personal physician for longitudinal care. Suggest patients ask their family and friends for PCP recommendations. 

Encourage parents to support their teens in connecting with friends safely.

April 8, 2021 | 3 min read

How to Support Teens’ Mental Health During The Pandemic

By Leslie Miller, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Now more than ever, it's critical for parents to check in with their teens on a regular basis. Encourage parents to ask their children directly how they’re doing and to validate that these are hard times.

Saint Brides Bay (Bae Sain Ffraid), Pembrokeshire, Wales, Author's Photo.

January 24, 2019 | 4 min read

Cultivating Caring

By David Kopacz, MD, University of Washington

Compassion begins with caring for ourselves and working to grow as full human beings. It is not just the lives of our patients that depend on us learning this component of caring, the quality of our own lives depend upon learning this as well.

Gardening creates an opportunity to take a mini-rest from the world, connect with nature, and experience the healing power of plants.

April 12, 2021 | 4 min read

Making the Most of Your Daily “Nervous Breakdown”

By David Kopacz, MD, University of Washington

A century ago, a “nervous breakdown” was a socially acceptable way to just take a break and recharge. Now, it’s not. In order to refresh yourself and mitigate burnout, consider scheduling regular time off.

November 15, 2021 | 1 min read

Healthy Social Media Use

By Nicole Cifra, MD, MPH, University of Rochester

Talk with patients about their social media use. Remind them to limit screen time before bed in order to sleep well and stay healthy.

untitled, by David Kopacz

July 21, 2022 | 7 min read

Building Cultures of Caring

By David Kopacz, MD, University of Washington

We must care for ourselves to care for others. One great place to start is practicing self-compassion.

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.    

Photo by David Kopacz.

March 9, 2022 | 6 min read

Being a Naturalist to Improve The Health of All

By David Kopacz, MD, University of Washington

Listening and closely observing patients, in the way we appreciate and notice nature, can promote humanistic care and clinician well-being.

October 18, 2021 | 2 min read

Self-Care Isn’t Selfish

By Carolyn Cumpsty-Fowler, PhD, MPH, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Clinician well-being is essential to excellent patient care. We endanger our patients when we are burned out and disengaged.

Dr. Barry Solomon and his team work to create a safe space for teens at their practice.

April 12, 2018 | 3 min read

Creating a Safe Space For Teen Well Visits

By Barry Solomon, MD, MPH, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

Providing excellent care for adolescents includes creating a safe space for confidential discussions. The clinically excellent pediatrician is able to help support the teen to share sensitive concerns with parents and caregivers.

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.

October 15, 2019 | 4 min read

Simplicity, Egalitarianism, and Hygge

By Aidan Crowley, Medical Student, University of Pennsylvania

Danish clinicians appear to be clinically excellent. The key may be finding your hygge.

"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.

July 3, 2019 | 3 min read

Fun is Fine, but it isn’t Food

By Roxanne Sukol, MD, Cleveland Clinic

We ALL need to address the obesity epidemic by teaching our patients the difference between real food and manufactured calories.

May 25, 2021 | 1 min read

“Put Your Oxygen Mask on First”

By Zeina Moukarzel, MD, MPH, Beirut, Lebanon

If clinicians don’t feel well emotionally, they may not be able to provide excellent care to their patients. When experiencing burnout, it’s advisable to take time off for rejuvenation and to consider ways to advocate for systemic change.

November 27, 2019 | 4 min read

“Out of Office” For Real

By Shannon Scott-Vernaglia, MD, Mass General

Taking some time off for the holidays? Be a role model for your colleagues. Turn on a real out of office reply. You’ll never look back, I promise.

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