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.

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.

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.

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.

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.  

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. 

March 10, 2026 | 2 min read

Our doors are always open 

Treat substance use disorders with trauma‑informed, nonjudgmental care, and a multidisciplinary approach. Also, ensure treatment is accessible after discharge.

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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. 

July 1, 2019 | 1 min read

Looking Under the Hood

By Daniel Minter, MD, University of California, San Francisco

Promoting a culture of thinking out loud can demystify the process of clinical reasoning and make it accessible to all learners.

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. 

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 25, 2020 | 2 min read

5 Things Clinicians can do to Reduce Drug Prices

By Justin McArthur, MBBS, MPH, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Excellent clinicians prescribe thoughtfully—pruning medication lists, advising patients on how to save money, and advocating for change.

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.

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 29, 2019 | 7 min read

“Good Doctoring”

By Taylor Purvis, MD, St. Vincent Medical Center, Bridgeport, CT

Reflections from a medical student on the practice of medicine as captured in the novels "The Bad Doctor," by Ian Williams, and "A Fortunate Man," by John Berger & Jean Mohr.

May 11, 2020 | 3 min read

Redefining Rounds—Will The Circle be Unbroken?

By Chase Webber, DO, Vanderbilt University Medical Center

A patient care team performs best when all voices harmonize and creative approaches are applauded.

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.

November 16, 2021 | 1 min read

Collaborating With Patients For Optimal Care

By Leslie Miller, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

For patients to participate in their treatment planning, clinicians must first share knowledge and insights. From this foundation, shared decision-making may be possible.

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.  

June 20, 2019 | 2 min read

Be Brave Enough to Start Conversations That Matter

By Manasa Ayyala, MD, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School

"Between the World and Me" is a must read. At 152 pages, it's a small investment of time that leaves a large impact. I invite you to read this book with the intent to ask curious questions, to be ok feeling uncomfortable, and to continue this important dialogue.

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.

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. 

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. 

March 22, 2018 | 7 min read

Fundamentals for Caring for Transgender Patients

By Paula Neira, JD, MSN, RN, CEN, FAAN, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Improve your skills as you work to support your transgender patients and interact with your transgender colleagues.

July 7, 2021 | 1 min read

Lessons Learned During my Palliative Care Rotation

By Rayah Sawaya, MD, American University of Beirut

In the wake of disaster, I witnessed the value of palliative care firsthand. This service prioritizes patient comfort and end-of-life preferences.

January 14, 2019 | 2 min read

We’re Getting CLOSLER to the Super Bowl!

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

Football-inspired clinical pearls from Vermont family physician Dr. Wilma Ferthler teach us how to be better clinicians.

May 26, 2020 | 1 min read

Accelerating Adaptation in Healthcare

By Lia Logio, MD, Drexel University College of Medicine

Efficiency erodes our ability to respond to the uncertainty of life. The messy world of clinical care requires time, patience, and creative experimentation.

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. 

November 4, 2021 | 3 min read

Dissection And Reintegration

By Aidan Crowley, Medical Student, University of Pennsylvania

We sometimes “cut” patients apart to assist in the diagnostic process. We must remember to put them back together; we’re charged with caring for their minds and spirits in addition to their bodies.

January 17, 2024 | 1 min read

“I’m not comfortable”

By Jeffrey Millstein, MD, Penn Medicine

Patients sometimes ask for interventions that conflict with clinical best practice. The most effective responses are ones that focus on patients’ needs and level of understanding rather than on the clinician’s discomfort with their requests. 

September 2, 2025 | 3 min read

Gambling with health 

Gambling disorder frequently goes unrecognized in clinical settings despite its significant impact on mental and physical health. Clinicians can routinely screen for it using validated tools and refer at-risk patients to resources. 

June 18, 2019 | 2 min read

Navigating the Uncertain: A Book Review of “The Laws of Medicine”

Siddhartha Mukherjee, MD, provides a framework to reconcile the uncertainties we constantly experience in our practice of medicine in his book, "The Laws of Medicine."

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.

February 26, 2026 | 3 min read

Cutting costs, not corners 

Some patients need to find cheaper prescription medications online. When they do, help them verify sourcing and dosing to keep them safe. 

March 27, 2018 | 2 min read

12 Things I Wish I’d Known 50 Years Ago

By Randy Barker, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine, retired

Twelve things I would tell my younger self—all the things I didn’t know then, but wish I had.

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.

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.

March 18, 2019 | 2 min read

The Truth About Sex

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

How you phrase questions when obtaining a sexual history can mitigate the impact of social desirability bias and enhance the accuracy of the information that is obtained.

May 12, 2020 | 1 min read

Jump-start End of Life Discussions With “Death Over Dinner”

By Katie Nelson, PhD(c), MSN, RN, Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing

The pandemic has created a sense of urgency around advance care planning and end of life preparations. Resources like "Death Over Dinner" can help broach conversations about death, dying, and the end of life in a non-threatening (and even entertaining) manner.

June 22, 2022 | 1 min read

Explaining The Risks of Vaping

Prioritize discussions about the long-term consequences of smoking. Be aware that just because someone has quit doesn’t mean that they won’t relapse.

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.

January 11, 2024 | 2 min read

Book review of “Changing how we think about ‘difficult’ patients”  

By Jennifer Lycette, MD, rural oncologist in the Pacific Northwest

When caring for a patient whom I found challenging, I reminded myself that my negative reaction had less to do with the patient and more to do with me.