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.

September 20, 2023 | 2 min read

Sharing Our Stories

By Hailey Haffey, PhD, University of Utah

Stories we’ve internalized about healing may direct our approach to patient care. Find the one that resonates most with you.

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?

April 11, 2024 | 1 min read

Takeaways from Adam Grant’s “Think Again” 

By Gretchen Miller, Managing Editor

Healthcare professionals can benefit from adopting a growth mindset that emphasizes rethinking existing beliefs and approaches. A key strategy is questioning assumptions and biases, which can lead to better decision-making. 

June 4, 2018 | 2 min read

Half Baked

By Wilma Ferthler, MD, Rural Country Doctor, Northeast Kingdom, Vermont

Your monthly dose of comic relief from William Osler's long lost cousin Wilma Ferthler.

January 15, 2020 | 1 min read

Extra Minutes

By Scott Newsome, DO, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

Every extra minute a clinician spends with a patient is worth it.

March 30, 2023 | 2 min read

Cultivating a Beginner’s Mind

By Clara Watkins, student, Emory University School of Nursing, Colleen Christmas, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Remember when you were a new learner? Approach situations with that open, creative, and nonjudgmental mind that you may have had when you started training. 

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.

May 24, 2022 | 2 min read

The Reflexive Practitioner

By Corliss Wong, MS4, The University of Hong Kong

Our own biases and judgements inevitably affect our care of patients. Deep introspection can help us overcome our prejudices and improve clinical practice. 

September 18, 2023 | 3 min read

Do you “need” to say it that way? 

By Gina Piscitello, MD, MS, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center

Using the word “need” to describe a treatment option may mislead patients and loved ones into believing it should be pursued. Prioritizing patient values and preferences may help reduce this risk.  

July 21, 2021 | 2 min read

Talking With Patients About Safe Summer Swimming

By Jade Cobern, MD, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health

Swimming is a summertime joy, but it is not without risk. Before patients take the plunge, they should be reminded to always swim with a buddy (never alone) and to apply sunscreen.

June 3, 2019 | 1 min read

Every Piece of Data Matters

By Rabih Geha, MD, University of California San Francisco

Bolded, flagged, or typed in a different color, an abnormal result demands the mind’s eye in many modern EMRs, but it is equally important to direct our gaze to the quietly normal labs; not uncommonly, they may be screaming a powerful clue.

August 8, 2022 | 1 min read

988

By Patrick Hemming, MD, Duke University

When we identify patients who are experiencing mental illness, we need to let them know about this new resource in the U.S.

April 3, 2024 | 2 min read

Military kids serve too 

By Richard Schaefer, MD, MPH, Johns Hopkins Medicine

April is the Month of the Military Child. Clinicians caring for military family members should understand their history and stressors specific to the armed service to give the best possible care.    

November 25, 2025 | 2 min read

Be the other someone in the near-empty room

For patients without family present, pause to say, “I’m here with you.” Offer chaplaincy, social work, and volunteers to accompany dying patients in their final moments. 

January 5, 2022 | 1 min read

Bringing my nursing pearls to my doctoring (archives, 2022)

By Nina Wagner-Johnston, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

From my experience as a nurse, I always remember the importance of engaging the whole team. Each team member provides unique insights that can optimize the care of the patient. 

January 23, 2020 | <1 min read

Close Listening

By Scott Newsome, DO, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

An excellent clinician always listens closely to their patients. This enhances their perspective on the patient's point of view.

June 26, 2018 | 1 min read

Harnessing Digital Technology for Clinical Excellence

By Margaret Chisolm, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Digital technology can be leveraged for the greater good of clinically excellent patient care. Social media tools like Twitter enable you to connect with healthcare stakeholders from around the world.

February 3, 2021 | 3 min read

How to Cultivate a “Friendtorship”

By Jared Rubenstein, MD, Baylor College of Medicine, Liz Salmi, OpenNotes Communications, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center

A “friendtorship” is an informal peer-mentor relationship between two people with shared interests but different careers. “Friendtorships” can help you develop new perspectives and ideas about your own field.

October 28, 2024 | 2 min read

Spark the change

By Sadiqua Sadaf, MBBS, Deccan College of Medical Sciences, Hyderabad, India

To motivate patients toward change, healthcare professionals can focus on building trust and setting achievable goals.

January 31, 2019 | 1 min read

How to be Mindful About Infection Prevention

By Clare Rock, MBBCh, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

To be mindful of preventing the spread of infection, embrace change in procedures with an open mind when it is for the greater good.

May 17, 2022 | 1 min read

Word Choice Related to Substance Use Disorders

By Beth McGinty, PhD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Words matter; calling patients with a substance use disorder an “addict” defines them by their addiction. We need to ensure that our patients feel comfortable and supported so that they will engage in treatment.  

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, 2023 | 1 min read

Firearm Suicides on The Rise

By Katherine Hoops, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine, Paul Nestadt, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

To stem the increase in self-inflicted gun deaths, we must work toward early and accurate diagnosis of mental illness, as well as advocate for better firearm laws.

July 20, 2021 | 2 min read

3 lessons on clinical excellence from the oncology clinic

By Sajya Singh, Medical Student, Johns Hopkins Medicine

While shadowing clinicians in cancer care, I learned the importance of spending time to gather the family history, building trusting relationships, and balancing treatment plans with quality-of-life considerations.

May 23, 2019 | 1 min read

The Thinking of a Clinical Problem Solver

By Reza Manesh, MD, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

We aren't expected to know everything. Identifying the salient features of a case can lead you to the diagnosis.

August 1, 2022 | 1 min read

Keeping Children Safe

By Katherine Hoops, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine, Monique Burke, MD, President, MD Chapter of the AAP

The new Safer Communities Act helps clinicians connect patients to mental healthcare. Hopefully, this will reduce youth gun violence, including suicide. 

April 2, 2024 | 3 min read

A dose of reality (TV)  

By Maria Fazal, MD, Baltimore, Maryland

A patient who had severe anxiety and depression told me that watching “The Great British Bake Off” was a helpful relaxation technique. She taught me that shows like this may provide a therapeutic escape.  

November 21, 2025 | 2 min read

The promise and pitfalls of GLP-1s 

This new class of weight loss drugs is not a magic fix. Work with patients to set realistic goals, start low and titrate slowly, and counsel on GI risks. 

December 21, 2021 | 4 min read

How to Make New Habits Stick, Part 2 

By Howard Chang, Medical Student, Johns Hopkins Medicine

We can build good habits in our own lives and help patients do the same by implementing the four laws of behavior change: make it obvious, make it attractive, make it easy, and make it satisfying. 

January 16, 2020 | 2 min read

The Danger of Reinforcing Negative Biases

By Yolonda Wilson, PhD, 2019-2020 Fellow at the National Humanities Center and 2019-2020 Encore Public Voices Fellow

The way clinicians talk about patients publicly reinforces biases about race, gender, class, etc.

March 6, 2023 | 1 min read

Supporting Menopausal Patients

By Talia Sobel, MD, Mayo Clinic

Women often receive misinformation about menopause and even experience medical gaslighting from healthcare professionals. Clinicians should validate patients’ symptoms, and work with them to improve quality of life. 

February 1, 2021 | 2 min read

The Emperor’s New Curtains

By Charlotte Squires, MBChB, Borders General Hospital, Scotland

Clinically excellent physicians consider the setting of private conversations with patients and families. Quiet rooms with a door that closes are ideal for sensitive discussions.

October 17, 2024 | 2 min read

Gaming for mental health 

By Barry Bryant, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Understanding the therapeutic potential of video games is important. Clinicians may elect to recommend them for certain young patients struggling with mental health challenges.

April 23, 2020 | 1 min read

Bibliotherapy

By Scott Wright, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Happy World Book Day! Read more fiction to broaden your perspectives. If you've never listened to an audiobook, try it! It might just change your life!

May 9, 2022 | 2 min read

Talking With Patients About Their Online Research

By Rebekah Fenton, MD, Northwestern University

Patients’ online research may leave them wondering if they have a particular disease. Listen to their concerns, normalize their fears, and provide reputable resources. And remember, sometimes they’re right.  

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.

September 11, 2023 | 2 min read

AI And Humanistic Care

By Daniel Brotman, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

In a clinical world that is increasingly algorithmic, what AI can NOT do is truly understand human emotions. Computers will never appreciate the joy and privilege of connecting with patients. 

July 22, 2021 | <1 min read

Responding Instead of Reacting

By Avani Prabhakar, MBBS, MPH, Johns Hopkins Medicine

When confronted publicly by a colleague, I learned that it is helpful to respond calmly instead of reacting defensively. This strategy will allow us to move forward.

June 10, 2019 | 4 min read

Lessons learned from my journey through depression

By Shannon Scott-Vernaglia, MD, Mass General

Being a patient has taught me patience, with myself, with those I care about, and with those I care for as physician. 

July 28, 2022 | 2 min read

Passing Tests And Failing my Family

By Emily Rodriguez, medical student, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Book knowledge about addiction offered me little to support my family members and others affected by this illness. To holistically serve, we need to take the time to connect and genuinely understand each person.

March 25, 2024 | 1 min read

Graphic medicine: a picture is worth a thousand words 

By Benjamin Vipler, MD, MEd, University of Colorado

Pictures can often be a more effective way to explain complex medical concepts to trainees and patients than words alone. 

November 13, 2025 | 2 min read

Cognitive shuffle 

For patients with insomnia, coach them to visualize vivid, unrelated images to disrupt rumination and promote sleep onset. You can try it yourself, too! 

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.  

January 27, 2021 | 2 min read

Gin And Tonic—Cultural Footprints of Disease

By Kittane "Vishnu" Vishnupriya, MBBS, Johns Hopkins Medicine

To mitigate incorrect assumptions about patients who have been infected with COVID-19, we must work to spread truths and to minimize inaccuracies—particularly those that may be shameful or demeaning.

October 10, 2024 | 1 min read

Trust and truth

Nonjudgmental communication can help us understand the true nature of a patient’s condition and motivations. Connecting more deeply with a patient over time allowed us to learn more of the story. 

January 10, 2019 | 3 min read

How to Improve Your Physical Diagnostic Skills With a Digital Database

By Samuel Durso, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

To sharpen diagnostic skill, take a minute to cross check the physical exam against images and lab results in the electronic record - if not congruent, then why?

May 5, 2022 | 1 min read

Lessons From Choosing a Specialty

By Howard Chang, Medical Student, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Deciding on an area of practice during medical school reminded me to ask for help when needed and to be comfortable with uncertainty. These skills will help me when I care for patients in the future.    

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.