August 3, 2020 | 1 min read

Book Review of “Elderhood”

By Michelle Gyenes, MS, Columbia Mailman School of Public Health

Ageism is a form of discrimination that contributes to poor health outcomes. To mitigate its effects, we must enact policies that address biases in ourselves, our workplaces, and our communities.

August 16, 2021 | 3 min read

The Heart of Clinical Reasoning

By Susrutha “Sus” Kotwal, MBBS, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Making a diagnostic error reminded me that connecting with patients on a personal level is necessary for optimal clinical reasoning.

October 2, 2025 | 2 min read

Don’t sleep on it  

Insomnia is a common condition that increases the risk of physical and mental health problems. Screening for it is an important part of patient care, and it can be quick and easy. 

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.

December 19, 2022 | 2 min read

Female Leaders in Surgery

By Ming-Hsien Wang, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

More women surgeons will increase the diversity of ideas and perspectives needed for excellent patient care. 

September 3, 2024 | 1 min read

More than hot flashes

By Wen Shen, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

When thinking about menopause, hot flashes are frequently the first thing that come to mind. But clinically excellent care requires recognizing the full spectrum of symptoms.  

March 1, 2021 | 4 min read

How to be an Excellent Clinical Mentor

By Aidan Crowley, Medical Student, University of Pennsylvania

Mentorship is essential to healthcare teaching, learning, and practice. Excellent mentors lead by example and guide mentees, informed by empathic listening and reflections on their own journeys.

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. 

February 13, 2019 | 2 min read

Disparities in New Treatments

By Utibe Essien, MD, MPH, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine

When beginning new treatments, it's important to ask patients what they understand about the medication, what their expectations are, what barriers might exist to remaining on this agent, and what they value most out of their treatment plan.

June 14, 2018 | 1 min read

AI and the Art of Medicine

By Souvik Chatterjee, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Exploring the new challenge of combining the art of healing with the new science of machine learning.

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.

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.

February 5, 2024 | 1 min read

When patients emphatically question the diagnosis

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

Sometimes patients and families struggle when processing a new diagnosis. Embracing open communication, education, and collaboration may transform disagreements into understanding. 

September 18, 2025 | 3 min read

Continuity in ADHD care

Life transitions, such as starting college, can be especially challenging for patients with ADHD. Ensuring continuity of care during these times is essential.

July 23, 2019 | 3 min read

Engaging Care Partners in Communication

By Antonio Wolff, MD, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Jennifer Aufill, BA, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Jennifer Wolff, PhD, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health

Families and friends are valuable resources. These partners in care can help clinicians improve quality of care and patient outcomes.

December 1, 2022 | 1 min read

World Cup Fever

By Scott Wright, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

As you watch lots of “The Beautiful Game” this month, there are lessons for healthcare professionals. All members of our teams are important and diversity drives success.  

January 26, 2022 | 1 min read

Talking With Older Patients About Winter Hazards

By Shaista Ahmed, MBBS, MPH, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Be sure your geriatric patients are aware of winter hazards and provide guidance on how to avoid the risk of falls and hypothermia.    

August 26, 2024 | 1 min read

The medical Tower of Babel  

Immigrant patients often face challenges when accessing healthcare because of language and cultural barriers. Certified medical interpreters can help reduce the likelihood of inequities in care. 

February 24, 2018 | 1 min read

Battling The System in Defense of Diagnosis

By Souvik Chatterjee, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Healthcare delivery is at odds with a fundamental aspect of being a physician—strategic curriculum interventions are necessary to preserve the art of diagnosis.

March 9, 2020 | 1 min read

Embrace the Craic!

By Michelle Gyenes, MS, Columbia Mailman School of Public Health

We would all do well to be more like the Irish!

February 23, 2021 | 3 min read

Tips For Giving Medical Updates to Families

By Joshua Budhu, MD, Mass General

A physician’s disappointment in hearing surprises about his loved one’s condition sparked new insights on the value of regularly updating families about the patient.

July 31, 2023 | 3 min read

Dungeons and Dragons and Medicine

By Lillian Houston, MD, Southern Illinois University

D&D teaches us that the team is our most important asset. Interdisciplinary and diverse teams that communicate openly are most successful. 

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.

August 4, 2020 | 2 min read

3 Tips for Talking With Patients About Advance Directives

By Ambereen Mehta, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

ALL clinicians can and should encourage patients to document their wishes regarding medical decisions in case they’re unable to make these decisions for themselves.

May 22, 2018 | 1 min read

What My Patients Taught Me About Leadership

By Eric Howell, MD, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

A veteran hospitalists highlights four areas where patients have helped him become a more thoughtful leader.

January 31, 2024 | 1 min read

Book review of “The committee will kill you now” 

By Joan Naidorf, DO

This novel reminded me that even in a complex healthcare system, individual clinicians can make a substantial contribution to the ethical treatment of their patients.  

September 15, 2025 | 6 min read

How to support LGBTQ+ patients

Amid increasing anti-LGBTQ+ legislation, clinicians have an ethical duty to provide inclusive care. Read on for how to create welcoming environments in clinic and connect LGBTQ+ patients with appropriate resources. 

August 1, 2019 | 3 min read

Mindset and the Power of Yet: A Conversation With Dr. Gurpreet Dhaliwal

Excellent clinicians are also thoughtful mentors. Mentors are like beacons as we navigate our path forward.

November 23, 2022 | 1 min read

Using CLOSLER For Grand Rounds

By Richard Schaefer, MD, MPH, Johns Hopkins Medicine

CLOSLER has a wealth of material that can be leveraged to enhance teaching in a variety of settings, including lectures, bedside, and small group discussions. 

January 25, 2022 | 1 min read

Beware The Ladder of Inference

By Jeffrey Millstein, MD, Penn Medicine

Sometimes in the care of patients, we jump to conclusions. Questioning our assumptions can improve relationships and help us make better decisions.   

August 21, 2024 | 2 min read

Confessions of a non-flosser 

By Kyra Reu, medical student, University of Pennsylvania

When I told my dentist I didn’t floss regularly, it reminded me of a patient who shared she was not taking her medication as directed. Careful questioning of how the patient is actually taking their medication should be done before modifying the treatment. 

March 5, 2026 | 4 min read

Navigating family conflict at the bedside

Patients' loved ones enter the room with a lengthy history of how they handle disagreements. When things feel tense, focus on making space for different coping styles rather than trying to resolve long-standing disputes. 

February 22, 2021 | 3 min read

Giving Respectful Care to All

By Danielle Prentice, DO, Penn State

Respecting patients' stories, leaving preconceived notions at the door, and avoiding insensitive comments are expected professional norms in healthcare.

July 24, 2023 | 2 min read

Prince of Yonkers

By Carey Roesler, PA-C, Johns Hopkins Medicine

When my car broke down, a mechanic went above and beyond to make sure I made it to my aunt’s funeral. This reminded me of how lucky I am to be able to help my patients through challenging times. 

January 30, 2019 | <1 min read

Dr. David Wu, A CLOSLER Look

By Gretchen Miller, Managing Editor

Palliative care is an approach to medicine that focuses on quality of life. My hope is that every clinician learns basic palliative skills to lead family conversations when there is a critically ill patient. It's a precious privilege to be able to enter people's lives at their most vulnerable time, and help them find some kind of peace.

June 27, 2022 | 3 min read

Caring for people and their gender stories

By Hailey Haffey, PhD, University of Utah

To care for people is to care for the stories that shape them. Clinicians can enhance patients’ confidence in the healthcare system by skillfully engaging with their stories of gender and sexual orientation.

August 12, 2020 | 2 min read

Chief Complaint: Racism

By Syeachia Dennis, MD, University of Oklahoma

Patients are increasingly recognizing the impact of racism on their health. We should be prepared to help patients confront this and consider this core to our work to systemically address this public health crisis.

July 28, 2021 | 2 min read

4 Things You Can do to Support Patients Facing Hard News

By Rebekah Fenton, MD, Northwestern University

In medicine, we sometimes have to share horrible news. When doing so, hold the conversations in a private space, make sure the patient and family understand what you’re saying, acknowledge emotions, and answer questions.

January 23, 2024 | 1 min read

Book review of “The algorithm will see you now”

By Joan Naidorf, DO

In this medical thriller set in the not-too-distant future, diagnosis and treatment are performed entirely by AI. The novel serves as a reminder that AI must be used thoughtfully and responsibly.  

November 17, 2022 | 2 min read

Personalized Clinical Quality Improvement

By Jeffrey Krimmel-Morrison, MD, University of Washington

Use evidence-informed practices in your self-directed learning—build a case tracking system, work simulated cases, use quizzing, and seek new evidence efficiently. 

January 12, 2022 | 2 min read

The Comfort of Death Rituals

By Jennifer Eitingon, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

In the past, I questioned the value of certain rituals. A woman from Panama showed me how these may provide comfort to those who have lost a loved one.  

August 7, 2024 | 2 min read

Wait! Is that a zebra?

Common things are common, but occasionally unusual conditions are seen. To improve diagnostic accuracy, clinicians should consider alternative explanations and challenge their own assumptions.

February 27, 2026 | 2 min read

Self-forgiveness in the practice of medicine 

Mistakes happen. To move forward, reflect, speak with trusted colleagues and loved ones, and make amends where you can. 

February 21, 2020 | 2 min read

Hobbits of Healthcare

By David Shih Wu, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

The excellent clinician demonstrates hobbit-like bravery by leaning into hard conversations.

February 17, 2021 | 1 min read

How to Talk to Patients About Unnecessary Antibiotics

By Benjamin Miller, Johns Hopkins University, Sara Keller, MD, MPH, MSPH, Johns Hopkins Medicine

When talking with patients about antibiotics that are not indicated, emphasize personal potential side effects such as yeast infections and diarrhea.

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.

January 28, 2019 | 3 min read

Reflections on “Healing Alone”

By Helen Bradshaw, MD, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

In defense of the practice of pimping, though the term is a regrettable word choice, I learned from having questions directed at me. And my frequently incorrect responses were usually met with thoughtful explanations.

June 23, 2022 | 2 min read

Reflections at The End of a Busy Clinical Year

By Madeline Rodriguez, MD, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

Outstanding clinicians are humble, curious, and nonjudgmental. 

July 20, 2020 | 6 min read

Art and Connection During COVID-19

By Kamna Balhara, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine, Sarah Clever, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

In a time of physical distancing, stepping out of our comfort zone to find creative and unconventional ways to connect with patients and colleagues can bring us together.

July 19, 2021 | 3 min read

Diversifying the clinician workforce (archives 2021)

By Pringl Miller, MD, San Francisco, California

Diversifying the clinician workforce is associated with improved patient satisfaction and outcomes. So, what are we waiting for?