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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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September 26, 2022 | 3 min read

Concerning Hobbits: On Middle-earth and Medicine

By Tina Zhang, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine, Zach Lorenz, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

J.R.R. Tolkein’s beloved trilogy offers lessons for life and medicine, including journeying with our patients through dark times and effectively engaging in teamwork. 

October 2, 2019 | 2 min read

Partnering With Patients to Prevent Diabetes

By Eva Tseng, MD, MPH, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Clinically excellent clinicians effectively counsel and motivate patients to prevent diabetes. Setting specific goals for lifestyle changes, referring to evidence-based Diabetes Prevention Programs, and scheduling timely follow-up visits are among the tips outlined.

June 12, 2024 | 3 min read

Getting serious about citrus 

By Maureen Flood, NP, Johns Hopkins Medicine

In patients with chronic conditions and socially determined health risks, remember to consider vitamin C deficiency. 

December 16, 2020 | 2 min read

The Danger of Stereotyping Specialties

By Sarah Temkin, MD, Greater Baltimore Medical Center

Clinicians must critically evaluate the stereotypes that they assign to one another. A diversity of training and backgrounds is beneficial to patient care.

The author, far right, with colleagues.

October 23, 2018 | 2 min read

Master Clinicians – The Early Years

By Vivek Murthy, MD, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

It’s no surprise that it takes hard work to become a great clinician. This is a glimpse of what the first steps on that road might look like.

April 14, 2022 | 4 min read

Talking About Climate Change With Patients

By Dean Chien, CLOSLER team, Baltimore, Maryland

Climate change affects the health of everyone. When talking with patients about climate change, meet them where they are and listen nonjudgmentally. 

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. 

June 29, 2020 | 2 min read

Lessons From the AIDS Epidemic

By Melinda Kantsiper, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

In times of crisis, it can be helpful to listen and learn from the stories of those who have come before us.

January 15, 2025 | 2 min read

A spray away from the answer 

This clinical conundrum, related to hypoxia, underscores the importance of meticulous history-taking and the potential for unexpected complications with seemingly benign medications. 

June 22, 2021 | 1 min read

How You Can Take Action Beyond Pride Month

By Nat Mulkey (they/them), Medical Student, Boston University Medicine

To improve the health and well-being of LGBTQI+ patients, we must commit to being lifelong learners and teachers in this continually evolving space.

Wye Valley, Wales, by Taylor Purvis, October 2018.

February 28, 2019 | 2 min read

From Film School to Medical School, (Part 2 of 3)

By Margaret Chisolm, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Using both words and images, John Berger and Jean Mohr's photo-essay, "A Fortunate Man," provides an intimate glimpse into the role of the doctor: "To cure sometimes, to relieve often, and to comfort always."

November 21, 2023 | 2 min read

“You’ll need someone to drive you home”

By Megan Murphy, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Transportation may be a barrier to healthcare, especially for procedures requiring sedation. Sometimes we need to think creatively and partner with others in order to find solutions.  

August 21, 2025 | 2 min read

Academic medical departments can learn much from Department Q

Warning, if you begin the “Dept Q” series, you won’t be able to stop! By the time you finish reading these books, you’ll be a more compassionate person and a better healthcare professional. 

November 8, 2021 | 1 min read

Lessons Learned From 30 Years of Night Shifts

By Kimberly Turner, MD, Johns Hopkins Community Physicians

Patience, stamina, and fortitude are important traits to cultivate in medicine at any and all times.

September 21, 2022 | 1 min read

Helping Patients Navigate Risk in The New Normal

By David Hurwitz, MD, MBA, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Using empathic listening to give COVID-related advice will help your patients balance the risks of the pandemic with enjoying the activities in their lives that matter most. 

September 24, 2019 | 1 min read

Counseling Patients on the Dangers of E-cigarettes

E-cigarettes pose unique health risks. Screening and informing our patients of these concerns is imperative.

May 30, 2024 | 1 min read

Transparency and trust 

By Justin Colleran, patient, Ireland, Miriam Colleran, MD, St. Brigids Hospice & Naas General Hospital, Ireland

The delayed diagnosis of my brother's appendicitis highlighted the importance of honesty and accountability when medical errors occur. By openly acknowledging mistakes, doctors can rebuild trust. 

"Spending time outdoors helps me cope with the stress and sadness of the job." -Dr. Jared Rubenstein

December 10, 2020 | 3 min read

Coping With Patients’ Heartbreak

By Jared Rubenstein, MD, Baylor College of Medicine

When supporting patients and their loved ones during times of great sadness and loss, cultivating a daily habit of self-care may protect against burnout.

October 11, 2018 | 1 min read

Book Review of “Beartown”

By Tina Zhang, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Medicine, much like hockey, is a team sport, where it takes the effort of many to realize success. The sacrifices required and pressures of being a hockey coach or player are similar to those that providers face. I highly recommend this book to everyone.

April 14, 2022 | 2 min read

“Explainaholics”

By Avani Prabhakar, MBBS, MPH, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Sometimes patients and caregivers feel overwhelmed when clinicians provide too much information. When you sense this to be the case, offering clear recommendations can be helpful.

July 5, 2018 | 1 min read

Getting the Most Out of Your Eyes

By Scott Wright, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

If you look at your patients as you would a piece of art in a museum, you will notice many details that would otherwise be missed.

April 21, 2020 | 2 min read

“Jiro Dreams of Sushi”

By Scott Wright, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Role models can be found on Netflix. Jiro, the master sushi chef, is aiming for perfection, and we must also continuously try to get better in our work with patients.

June 16, 2021 | 1 min read

Why we Must Talk About E-cigarettes with Teen Patients

By Mike Fingerhood, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Proactively counseling adolescents about the risks of e-cigarette use is essential. The message should acknowledge both the health implications and the pressures that they may feel from their peers.

April 9, 2019 | 1 min read

Being Yourself as a Professional

By Kim Stokes, MHS, PA-C, East Carolina University

Be kind, be humble - and be yourself!

November 20, 2023 | 1 min read

A surgical sojourn in China

By Hanghang Wang, MD, PhD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Engaging with healthcare professionals in other countries represents an invaluable learning opportunity. My clinician colleagues in Nanjing helped me to appreciate the value of teamwork across cultures. 

August 14, 2025 | 2 min read

Rose, bud, and thorn 

Try starting your next team meeting with an icebreaker activity. Rituals like this can jumpstart connections with colleagues and build healthier care teams. 

November 9, 2021 | 3 min read

Giving Exceptional Care Without Exception

A one-liner works in comedy but leads to biases in medicine. Listening, getting to know, and learning from each patient will allow you to serve them best.

September 20, 2022 | 2 min read

When And How to Self-disclose

By Meher Kalkat, medical student, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Sharing our own mental health experiences is often discouraged. Sometimes, disclosure may help you connect more deeply with others. 

Window at St. Leopold’s Church, depicting the seven corporal works of mercy. Photograph by Margaret S. Chisolm

September 18, 2019 | 7 min read

August Art Museum Challenge

By Flora Smyth Zahra, MA Clin Ed, DRestDent RCS, FHEA, Kings College London, Margaret Chisolm, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Clinical learning and practice are not removed from cultural and political realities. As clinical educators, it is our responsibility to create both humanistic learning environments that inculcate respect for the ultimate purpose of healthcare: the well-working of the human being as a whole.

May 21, 2024 | 1 min read

Time out 

By Haruka Torok, MD, MSc, University of Minnesota

When emotions run high in clinical situations, it can be helpful for everyone to take a break and come back together when feelings have cooled down.

October 9, 2018 | 2 min read

Five Authors to Follow

Reading for a few minutes before bedtime is a calming habit, and a great way to fit in a few words from inspiring authors to fuel your practice.

April 12, 2022 | 2 min read

Describing the Scribe: How We Help Clinicians

By Dean Chien, CLOSLER team, Baltimore, Maryland

Medical scribes allow clinicians to focus more fully on the patient in front of them. 

May 18, 2023 | 2 min read

Ballet And Medicine

By Maria Guinle, medical student, Stanford Medicine

Medicine is similar to dancing. Learning from mistakes and working as part of a team are necessary for success. 

Trichomonas vaginalis

December 12, 2024 | 3 min read

Home testing: a new era in sexual health      

By Scott Wright, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

At-home sexually transmitted illness (STI) testing allows easier patient access. It’s crucial for healthcare professionals to talk with patients about the limitations of these tests and discuss when follow-up care is needed.  

February 18, 2019 | 1 min read

A Tense Moment in the ER

By Danielle Ofri, MD, PhD, New York University School of Medicine

There are no easy solutions for conflicts of race, class, gender, societal roles, and economics. It’s only our individual work chipping away that will get us to a new place. It’s up to each of us to bring change.

October 19, 2023 | 2 min read

Healthcare for every body

By Stephanie Pham Van, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

To make healthcare more welcoming, be sensitive to how patients prefer to be described. Also, find out what tools they might need to access information, for example, voice to text transcriptions. 

August 12, 2025 | 2 min read

Safe and sound care   

Now more than ever, create an affirming healthcare environment for LGBTQIA+ patients by using respectful language and addressing unique care needs.  

October 27, 2021 | 4 min read

Digital Media Addiction: It’s Complicated

By Natalie Gukasyan, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

It’s tempting to resort to simple explanations for complex behaviors like digital media use. Deep relationships with patients can help you understand what’s behind the behavior. 

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.   

August 13, 2019 | 2 min read

How Does Bullying Relate to Clinical Excellence?

By Scott Wright, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

There is no place in medicine for bullying. It interferes with growth of individuals and collaborations among team members – both of these are critical for serving our patients.

May 16, 2024 | 2 min read

Two coats in one small room: caring for another clinician 

Caring for another clinician is complicated and requires special thoughtfulness; false assumptions about what the “clinician-patient” understands may result in suboptimal care.    

March 1, 2018 | 2 min read

Most Physicians Sit Down at the Bedside When Entering a Patient’s Room

By Scott Wright, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Choice architecture, framing, herd behavior, and feedback—how to nudge your patient towards healthier choices.

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. 

April 6, 2020 | 1 min read

Addiction Recovery During the Pandemic

By Mike Fingerhood, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

We are all stressed by the great uncertainty related to COVID-19, but for our patients with addiction, it is much greater. Check in with your patients and support them in finding healthy ways to cope.

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.

"The Doctor's Visit," Jan Steen. Philadelphia Museum of Art. Publicly shared via the Fair Use Act.

June 15, 2021 | 4 min read

How Art History Can Improve Your Care of Patients

By Siobhan Conaty, Art History Professor, La Salle University

Focusing on visual cues from our patients can help us to better understand them. Closely looking at art is one way that a clinician can improve their observation skills.

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. 

November 2, 2021 | 2 min read

What All Clinicians Must Know About End-of-Life Care

By Pringl Miller, MD, San Francisco, California

Initiating and withdrawing life-sustaining medical treatment is the patient’s or their surrogate's decision, not ours. We must always honor their wishes.

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.   

August 12, 2019 | 3 min read

Mental Illness and Mass Shootings

By Cassandra Crifasi, PhD, MPH, Emma Beth McGinty, PhD, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health

Most people with serious mental illness are never violent toward others. Due to the media’s misleading focus on the role of mental illness in gun violence generally and mass shootings specifically, many people are afraid that a diagnosis of a serious mental health condition like schizophrenia means they or their loved one are at high risk of hurting other people, which is not supported by the research evidence.

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