March 21, 2018 | 2 min read

İnsan Olmak—Being Human

By Ezgi Ozalp Akın, MD, Ankara University

Developmental pediatrician Ezgi Ozalp Akın, MD, shares insights gleaned from "İnsan Olmak" on being human.

May 2, 2023 | 2 min read

Treating all patients with compassion (archives, 2023)

By Keisha Ray, PhD, McGovern Medical School

Physician bias is one driver of poor health outcomes among Black patients. A commitment to compassion and active listening can combat this trend. 

December 10, 2024 | 1 min read

A breath of fresh air

By Mike Fingerhood, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Healthcare professionals can prioritize ongoing conversations about the risks of smoking and vaping with young patients, tailoring their approach to address specific concerns and misconceptions.

December 20, 2021 | 1 min read

What Patients With Serious Illness Want to Know Most

By Avani Prabhakar, MBBS, MPH, Johns Hopkins Medicine

After receiving a terminal diagnosis, many patients especially want to know how long they have to live, what symptoms to expect, and how to cope with impending decline.  

July 2, 2020 | 4 min read

3 Tips for Dismantling Anti-Black Racism in Academic Medicine

By LaShyra Nolen, Medical Student, Harvard University

White educators and learners must commit to doing the work and educating themselves on how to be antiracist. Black colleagues should not be responsible for educating those around them.

October 17, 2023 | 1 min read

Partnering With Pharmacists in Ambulatory Care

By Heather Folz, PharmD, Notre Dame of Maryland University

Clinicians and pharmacists can work together to give holistic and comprehensive patient care. This requires understanding each other’s expertise. 

May 2, 2018 | 1 min read

Top Tips To Improve Your Webside Manner

By Joshua Wadlin, MD, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

You might think your bedside manner is excellent, but how’s your webside manner?

May 14, 2019 | 4 min read

Review of “Critical Crash”

By Andre Lijoi, MD, York, Pennsylvania

We all have our woundedness, and our own story is important in the context of caring for our patients. These stories and wounds operate in the background of our consciousness and we must recognize and manage them.

September 7, 2022 | 2 min read

“Hysteria”

By Tina Zhang, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

We need to be aware of our own gender biases that could adversely affect women. To combat this, engage in shared decision-making with patients and be a lifelong learner of female health topics.   

November 10, 2025 | 1 min read

Takeaways from the book “Bankroll your mind”  

Attention invested in small moments—like a few screen‑free minutes at the start of a patient encounter—can compound into a trusting patient-clinician relationship. 

May 14, 2024 | 1 min read

ED overcrowding: every clinician can help

By Catherine Washburn, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Collaboration between healthcare professionals across the hospital is crucial to reduce ED overcrowding and improve patient care. One thing clinicians can do is help patients leave the hospital as soon as they are ready. 

July 15, 2021 | 1 min read

Honoring Patients’ and Families’ Goals of Care

By Shireen Heidari, MD, Stanford University

When supporting critically ill or dying patients, keep their care goals at the forefront of conversations and planning.

February 12, 2020 | 1 min read

Agents of Change—Learning From Gen Z Healthcare Students

By Kevin Pan, Medical Student, Ohio University School of Medicine

Excellent clinicians are committed to reducing health inequity.

April 24, 2023 | 1 min read

How CLOSLER Has Improved My Care of Patients: A Five-Year Retrospective

By Jeffrey Millstein, MD, Penn Medicine

Through CLOSLER, I’ve learned about the power of active listening and how better to navigate challenging conversations. It has also provided many ideas for re-energizing myself both personally and professionally. 

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.

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. 

December 7, 2021 | 3 min read

A Window Into a Patient’s World

By Deirdre Johnston, MBBCh, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Visiting a patient’s home environment, either virtually or in person, may shed light on the source of their distress.

June 30, 2020 | 1 min read

Learning to be Antiracist

By Ashlyn McRae, Medical Student, Johns Hopkins Medicine

We must acknowledge the ways in which we have been, and are racist. This will allow us to provide the most equitable care to all of our patients.

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. 

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.

May 7, 2019 | 2 min read

Finding Balance

By Danielle Johnson, MD, Lindner Center of HOPE, University of Cincinnati

Small gestures while supporting patients through trauma and grief can make a big difference.

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.   

April 18, 2018 | 6 min read

How To Reclaim Boredom From Your Smartphone

By Timothy Plante, MD, MHS, The University of Vermont Larner College of Medicine

Boredom brings mind wandering; mind wandering brings creativity. Here’s how I reclaimed boredom in my life.

August 29, 2022 | 2 min read

Takeaways From “The Making of a Surgeon”

By Richard Schaefer, MD, MPH, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Reading this book while I was in training inspired me to pursue a surgical career. Rereading it years later, I’m reminded of the importance of treating all patients with dignity.  

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.

April 19, 2023 | 1 min read

A Fall Into Grace

By Emily Rodriguez, medical student, Johns Hopkins Medicine

I felt disappointed when I forgot to keep my patient at the center of care. I reminded myself that I have the chance to do better next time. 

December 27, 2018 | 2 min read

“Charm City” Movie Review

The upcoming film "Charm City" emphasizes that the struggles of each patient who comes to clinic extend far beyond a medical diagnosis. We must be conscious of our patients' many challenges and mindful to address them. Making time to ask about your patient's day-to-day concerns, worries, and fears about their homes, neighborhoods, and communities can help you to get a fuller perspective of their medical and social determinants of health. This will allow you to reach relevant goals of care together.

December 2, 2024 | 4 min read

An intriguing paradox 

By Ghida Kassir, MD, University of Toronto, Canada

Because anorexia is not uncommon, it is likely that we will all encounter a patient who is suffering from this life-threatening condition. Although it may be difficult to understand self-starvation, empathy and compassion must be prioritized to establish a trusting patient-clinician relationship. 

November 23, 2021 | 3 min read

Preventive Care And COVID

By Aline Charabaty, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

As a gastroenterologist, I’ve been encouraging people to continue with colon cancer screening through the pandemic. A delay may have serious health consequences.

July 13, 2020 | 2 min read

Eklavya and the Power of Online Learning

By Mrinali Shetty, MD, University of Chicago, Yuvraj Chowdhury, MD, SUNY Downstate Medical Center

During the pandemic, there has been an increase in educational offerings that can enhance our clinical skills. This expansion of virtual learning opportunities, (like open-access Zoom lectures and grand rounds, and #MedTwitter #tweetorials on countless topics), can be a boon for all.

September 27, 2023 | 1 min read

Guardrails And Ambulances 

By Mike Fingerhood, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Over 100,000 Americans die every year from overdoses, and most are preventable. Discuss with patients and loved ones the dangers of having old prescription or counterfeit pills, as well as the importance of keeping naloxone on hand.

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. 

September 3, 2020 | 3 min read

See Something, Say Something

By Kali Cyrus, MD, MPH, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Being an ally for justice to patients and colleagues requires taking action. Doing or saying something, literally anything, when someone is mistreated is better than nothing.

August 17, 2022 | 1 min read

Lessons From “A Field Guide to Getting Lost”

By David Kopacz, MD, University of Washington

Many clinicians feel burned out at some point in their careers. While this may feel disorienting, it’s possible to learn and grow from this experience.

October 28, 2025 | 2 min read

Far from routine  

What feels run of the mill to clinicians can be life-changing for patients. A focused moment of empathic presence may alter the course of their life. 

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.

July 6, 2021 | 2 min read

CARE: Connect, Assess, Respond, Evaluate

By Cheryl Barnes-Neff, PhD, MDiv, RN, President, Laurel Oak Group, Online Education & Training

To understand and better care for your patients, be curious about their life stories. Reflect on what you hear and consider the extent to which you are truly connecting.

January 2, 2020 | 1 min read

A Commonly Uncommon Patient

By Jeffrey Trost, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Asking colleagues for help and re-reviewing data are essential in identifying clues to an accurate diagnosis.

April 11, 2023 | 2 min read

“Can I hold my newborn baby?”

By Carolyn Sufrin, MD, PhD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Giving birth while imprisoned usually occurs under inhumane conditions, with women remaining shackled and not being permitted to hold newborns. This is a reminder that every patient deserves our compassionate and nonjudgmental care. 

November 28, 2018 | <1 min read

Dr. Jim Black, A CLOSLER Look

By Gretchen Miller, Managing Editor

A favorite part of my job is telling patients when they, in fact, do NOT need surgery!

November 12, 2024 | 2 min read

DIY drugs: a risky prescription 

Healthcare professionals need to know about the growing trend of do-it-yourself (DIY) medicine. By asking open-ended questions about medication sources, clinicians can prevent adverse health outcomes. 

November 22, 2021 | 4 min read

Noticing What We’ve Seen Without Seeing

By Ekene Ojukwu, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Carefully observing our patients can lead to clinically relevant insights. Sometimes what seems inconsequential at first glance may be surprisingly significant.

June 24, 2020 | 1 min read

3 Things You Can do to Fight Racism

By Christle Nwora, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

We must each take personal responsibility for educating ourselves about racism. Increasing our understanding will allow us to improve health outcomes for all of our patients.

July 18, 2018 | 2 min read

The Bell Curve

By Lee Akst, MD, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

The difference between a 99.5% and 99.95% success rate isn't necessarily in knowledge or training, but in physician attitudes towards adapting and changing to evolving information.

December 17, 2020 | 4 min read

Racial Discrimination And Larger Bodies

By Kristal Brown, PhD, MSPH, Johns Hopkins Medicine

We must be aware of our own biases and prejudices in order to give excellent care to every patient.

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.

April 14, 2022 | 3 min read

Afraid to Tell The Truth

By Kirsten Elin Smith, PhD, National Institute on Drug Abuse

When I shared with my clinician that I had previously been a heroin user, she made me feel ashamed. This taught me the importance of listening to patients with nonjudgmental curiosity. 

April 17, 2018 | 5 min read

Knowing Your Patient

By Khalil Ghanem, MD, PhD, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

Diagnostic excellence begins and ends with knowing your patient.

August 15, 2022 | 2 min read

Role Modeling Vulnerability

By Daniel Saddawi-Konefka, MD, MBA, Massachusetts General Hospital

When a patient dies, sharing your emotions with trainees normalizes this response and highlights our shared humanity.