July 2, 2024 | 4 min read

Seeing

By Kamna Balhara, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

When patients present frequently to the ED, clinicians must make an effort to validate them as individuals. It's also important to be aware of and work to change the underlying social determinants that may drive their visits.

February 22, 2018 | 3 min read

Family History and Addiction Risk

By Margaret Chisolm, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

For some patients the risk of becoming addicted to prescription opioids is extraordinarily high and may outweigh any pain control benefit.

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.

July 3, 2023 | 1 min read

Pronouns Matter

By Kevin Frick, PhD, Johns Hopkins Carey Business School

A reminder to try to use a person’s preferred pronouns. This can help people feel more welcome and comfortable.

January 27, 2025 | 2 min read

The green hospital 

By Nick Dalesio, MD, MPH, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Recognize the significant environmental impact of your healthcare practices. Advocate for and implement sustainable solutions, such as optimizing workflow to reduce waste and improve resource utilization. 

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.

June 1, 2022 | 2 min read

“The Pause”

By Eileen Barrett, MD, MPH

Healthcare professionals give their best patient care when they are emotionally well. Making time to grieve the loss of a patient can help clinicians heal. 

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.

December 12, 2023 | 2 min read

“CARE”

By Kelly Buckholdt, PhD, Veterans Health Administration, William Laurento II, MEdL

There’s no more dramatic way to understand patient-centered care than being a patient. 

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.

June 20, 2018 | 1 min read

Home Care: A Better Way To Care For Ventilator Patients

By William Greenough, MD, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

Using portable ventilator technologies in the patient’s home can provide a higher quality of life.

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.   

June 24, 2024 | 2 min read

Partnering with patients with intellectual and developmental disabilities in medical decision-making 

By Sara Mixter, MD, MPH, Johns Hopkins Medicine

When caring for patients with intellectual and developmental disabilities, explore supported decision-making options and prioritize communication needs. These steps should offer them more control over medical choices. 

January 29, 2026 | 3 min read

Lessons from philosophy on facing uncertainty  

Giving exceptional care requires us to be open to other perspectives, recognize the limits of medical knowledge, and respect the patient’s lived experience. 

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 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.

June 20, 2023 | 1 min read

The Road Not Taken 

By Antonio Forte, LMSW, Johns Hopkins Medicine, Larkin Corrigan, MSW, Portland, Oregon

If patients can’t manage on their own, clinicians and staff can help them use social support networks and other resources to find transportation to their appointments. Virtual visits can also be considered. 

January 22, 2025 | 2 min read

The ulcer: a window into a patient’s emotional distress 

By Margret Nassuuna, DCP, Innerspark Recovery, Naalya, Uganda

The body, a masterful storyteller, often reveals insights into a patient’s mental state. By deciphering its narratives, clinicians may also be able to better address both the mental and emotional aspects of care.

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.

May 26, 2022 | 3 min read

Who Was Trayvon Martin?!

By Victor Ekuta, visiting medical student, Penn Medicine

We must pay attention to current events that may be significant to our patients. Staying curious may help us to connect and build rapport with those we serve.   

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.

December 7, 2023 | 2 min read

“I need this test.” 

By Pavitri Dwivedi, DO, MPH, Johns Hopkins Medicine

When patients request a test that you think is unnecessary, be curious and elicit why they feel this way. Then address their concerns about the condition being screened. 

July 17, 2025 | 3 min read

Cricket and the cadence of care  

Like playing cricket, the art of medicine demands patience, teamwork, and a willingness to redefine victory—not every win is a cure. Sometimes success is helping a patient find comfort and dignity. 

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.  

June 13, 2024 | 2 min read

Lightening the load 

By Susan Lehmann, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Clinicians can prioritize patient well-being by discussing the burden of engaging in care. Collaborate with patients to ensure recommendations are feasible and consider alternative approaches if necessary. 

January 28, 2026 | 4 min read

A model mentor 

Effective clinical teaching pairs rigor with kindness. Building psychological safety can accelerate learning, reduce burnout, and improve patient care. 

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.

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.

June 6, 2023 | 3 min read

Plant Straight Rows

By Kyle Glienke, MD, Buena Vista Regional Medical Center, Iowa

In farming, as in medicine, focusing only on daily tasks may keep us from seeing the impact we have.

January 16, 2025 | 2 min read

Talk to her 

By Uma Balachandran, medical student, Ichan School of Medicine at Mount Sinai

My blind aunt's encounter with a clinician highlighted the problem of ableism in medicine. Her experience is a reminder to always communicate directly with disabled patients and ask about their preference for identity-first or person-first language. 

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.

May 25, 2022 | 2 min read

Between The Lines

By Avani Prabhakar, MBBS, MPH, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Sometimes patient questions aren’t something to answer quickly. Instead, they can create a space to explore underlying concerns. 

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.

December 4, 2023 | 2 min read

More than a “picture” 

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

When explaining medical procedures to patients, use straightforward terms. Also, be mindful to maintain accuracy and clearly outline any risks. 

June 12, 2025 | 2 min read

The strengths of neurodiverse healthcare professionals 

Neurodivergent healthcare professionals bring unique attributes to a medical team that can enhance patient care. We can foster inclusive environments that actively support these diverse ways of thinking and working.

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.

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. 

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.

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. 

January 27, 2026 | 3 min read

Mindset matters 

Adopt a growth mindset—treat setbacks and mistakes as data for learning. Ask “What can we learn?” rather than “Who failed?” to help build psychological safety within your healthcare team.

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.

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 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. 

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. 

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 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. 

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?

July 31, 2018 | 3 min read

Waste Not, Want Not!

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

Keeping meat properly refrigerated is critical. Don’t forget to specifically ask patients if they have eaten roadkill if they present with diarrhea (especially in summer) & no other obvious source of infection is apparent.

June 9, 2025 | 3 min read

When care hurts 

Patients’ past healthcare experiences influence their ability to engage in care. Taking time to learn about their life stories builds trust and empowers them to participate in their healing.