You searched for Wellness - Page 13 of 25 - CLOSLER

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.

December 27, 2018 | 2 min read

“Charm City” Movie Review

The upcoming film "Charm City" emphasizes that the struggles of each patient who comes to clinic extend far beyond a medical diagnosis. We must be conscious of our patients' many challenges and mindful to address them. Making time to ask about your patient's day-to-day concerns, worries, and fears about their homes, neighborhoods, and communities can help you to get a fuller perspective of their medical and social determinants of health. This will allow you to reach relevant goals of care together.

Ask your patients, "Are you concerned about how expensive the treatment is?" You don't need to know your patients' income or out-of-pocket costs, but you can think about starting with less expensive but effective treatments.

March 16, 2021 | 3 min read

Best Practices in Shared Decision-Making

By Kevin Frick, PhD, Johns Hopkins Carey Business School

Giving exceptional care includes honoring your patient’s goals and addressing any challenges they might have with the care plan. Be mindful of the financial costs that your patients may face and discuss alternatives when possible.

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.

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.

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.

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.

November 10, 2025 | 1 min read

Takeaways from the book “Bankroll your mind”

Attention invested in small moments—like a few screen‑free minutes at the start of a patient encounter—can compound into a trusting patient-clinician relationship.

May 14, 2024 | 1 min read

ED overcrowding: every clinician can help

By Catherine Washburn, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Collaboration between healthcare professionals across the hospital is crucial to reduce ED overcrowding and improve patient care. One thing clinicians can do is help patients leave the hospital as soon as they are ready.

The Rolling Stones in concert at the British Summer Time Festival in Hyde Park, July 6, 2013. Wikimedia, Public Domain.

January 2, 2020 | 1 min read

A Commonly Uncommon Patient

By Jeffrey Trost, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Asking colleagues for help and re-reviewing data are essential in identifying clues to an accurate diagnosis.

April 24, 2023 | 1 min read

How CLOSLER Has Improved My Care of Patients: A Five-Year Retrospective

By Jeffrey Millstein, MD, Penn Medicine

Through CLOSLER, I’ve learned about the power of active listening and how better to navigate challenging conversations. It has also provided many ideas for re-energizing myself both personally and professionally.

November 28, 2018 | <1 min read

Dr. Jim Black, A CLOSLER Look

By Gretchen Miller, Managing Editor

A favorite part of my job is telling patients when they, in fact, do NOT need surgery!

March 10, 2021 | 2 min read

Communication PEARLS

By Catherine Washburn, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

When speaking with patients and colleagues, use a respectful tone and convey empathy. Clear communication is the basis for effective and trusting relationships with patients and coworkers.

December 4, 2024 | 2 min read

The complexities of middle age

By Alicia Arbaje, MD, MPH, PhD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Mid-life is a period marked by multifaceted challenges, including physical, emotional, and social stressors. By adopting a holistic approach that addresses the whole patient healthcare professionals can provide more comprehensive and effective care.

Serena Williams playing mixed doubles at Wimbledon, 2019. Public domain, Wikipedia. Photo by Brian Minkoff, London Pixels.

June 24, 2020 | 1 min read

3 Things You Can do to Fight Racism

By Christle Nwora, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

We must each take personal responsibility for educating ourselves about racism. Increasing our understanding will allow us to improve health outcomes for all of our patients.

October 5, 2023 | 2 min read

When Medication is an Empty Promise (Sudafed)

By Charles Flexner, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Communicating uncertainty effectively is part of being an excellent physician. This is especially true when it comes to the medications we recommend to patients.

April 16, 2019 | 2 min read

4 Lessons From 12 Years as a Patient-Doctor

By Julia Michie Bruckner, MD, MPH, Children\'s Hospital Colorado, University of Colorado School of Medicine

Our white coats are not shields; they could be traded in for a flimsy hospital gown at any moment. Keeping this in mind, we can think of how we want to be cared for when our time comes, and then give this level of care to others. We can honor our shared humanity and vulnerability in our practice.

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.

August 29, 2022 | 2 min read

Takeaways From “The Making of a Surgeon”

By Richard Schaefer, MD, MPH, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Reading this book while I was in training inspired me to pursue a surgical career. Rereading it years later, I’m reminded of the importance of treating all patients with dignity.

November 4, 2025 | 2 min read

The way we live

Lifestyle medicine involves co-creating plans with patients for diet, physical activity, sleep, stress, and social connection. This can have an impact on both prevention and treatment of disease.

December 16, 2019 | 4 min read

Top 10 Tips to be a Great Consultant

By Aline Charabaty, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Read these 10 tips so that next time your pager goes off, you can be an outstanding consultant!

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.

April 19, 2023 | 1 min read

A Fall Into Grace

By Emily Rodriguez, medical student, Johns Hopkins Medicine

I felt disappointed when I forgot to keep my patient at the center of care. I reminded myself that I have the chance to do better next time.

"The practitioners who surround the student during his or her transition into the clinical world show the student how to live out out his or her oath. During this stage of formation, the trainee is simultaneously a sponge and a clay sculpture, soaking up the minutiae of the clinical environment while honing the skills that will shape his or her character as a physician."

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.

December 2, 2024 | 4 min read

An intriguing paradox

By Ghida Kassir, MD, University of Toronto, Canada

Because anorexia is not uncommon, it is likely that we will all encounter a patient who is suffering from this life-threatening condition. Although it may be difficult to understand self-starvation, empathy and compassion must be prioritized to establish a trusting patient-clinician relationship.

September 27, 2023 | 1 min read

Guardrails And Ambulances

By Mike Fingerhood, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Over 100,000 Americans die every year from overdoses, and most are preventable. Discuss with patients and loved ones the dangers of having old prescription or counterfeit pills, as well as the importance of keeping naloxone on hand.

April 15, 2019 | 1 min read

7 Things I’ve Learned About Mentoring in 51 Years

By David Levine, MD, MPH, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

Helping others to achieve their full potential is the most incredible, wonderful, and exhilarating role one can undertake.

Dr. Eric Howell sharing and communicating about patient care with a colleague.

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.

August 17, 2022 | 1 min read

Lessons From “A Field Guide to Getting Lost”

By David Kopacz, MD, University of Washington

Many clinicians feel burned out at some point in their careers. While this may feel disorienting, it’s possible to learn and grow from this experience.

October 28, 2025 | 2 min read

Far from routine

What feels run of the mill to clinicians can be life-changing for patients. A focused moment of empathic presence may alter the course of their life.

April 16, 2024 | 1 min read

Changing gears (archives, 2024)

By Chris Tiplady, MD, Northumbria Healthcare, England

At the start of the pandemic, I permanently switched my commute from car to bike. I'm now passionate about motivating patients to be more active.

December 2, 2019 | 2 min read

Improving Communication Between Inpatient Teams and PCPs

By Stephen Berry, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

While it's not always easy, hospital-based providers need to find a way to connect with the healthcare professionals who will continue their patient's care.

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.

April 11, 2023 | 2 min read

“Can I hold my newborn baby?”

By Carolyn Sufrin, MD, PhD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Giving birth while imprisoned usually occurs under inhumane conditions, with women remaining shackled and not being permitted to hold newborns. This is a reminder that every patient deserves our compassionate and nonjudgmental care.

June 28, 2019 | 1 min read

How to Improve Outpatient Handoffs

Consider performing outpatient handoffs and preparing patients when you will be away. This will make your time away easier for your covering colleagues and for your patients.

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.

November 12, 2024 | 2 min read

DIY drugs: a risky prescription

Healthcare professionals need to know about the growing trend of do-it-yourself (DIY) medicine. By asking open-ended questions about medication sources, clinicians can prevent adverse health outcomes.

June 2, 2020 | 3 min read

“Flattening the Curve”

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

The pandemic is breaking down the traditional hierarchy of medical education. Opportunities are emerging for faculty to learn even more from residents.

July 18, 2018 | 2 min read

The Bell Curve

By Lee Akst, MD, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

The difference between a 99.5% and 99.95% success rate isn't necessarily in knowledge or training, but in physician attitudes towards adapting and changing to evolving information.

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.

August 15, 2022 | 2 min read

Role Modeling Vulnerability

By Daniel Saddawi-Konefka, MD, MBA, Massachusetts General Hospital

When a patient dies, sharing your emotions with trainees normalizes this response and highlights our shared humanity.

October 22, 2025 | 3 min read

Coordination with compassion

To build an exceptional care team: foster psychological safety, model humility, and solicit input from every person. Daily rituals of respect can sustain excellent patient care.

July 30, 2018 | 1 min read

What’s a book club doing at a medical conference?

By Scott Wright, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Join a book club or start a book club - in either your professional or personal context. You'll be glad you did!

This is from "The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down," written by Anne Fadiman. The art copyright is believed to belong to the publisher, Farrar, Straus and Giroux, or the artist. Public domain from wikipedia.org.

November 20, 2019 | 2 min read

“The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down”

By Laura Pugh, Medical Student, Johns Hopkins Medicine

The gap between cultural systems can be wide. Openness, curiosity, and humility will improve cross-cultural care.

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.

April 10, 2023 | 1 min read

Sips And Gulps

By Judy Ashley, patient

Patients may need a clinician’s help with things that seem easy or obvious, like how to swallow pills.

November 29, 2018 | 2 min read

Management Reasoning: Diagnostic Reasoning’s Underappreciated Sibling

By David Cook, MD, MHPE

Management reasoning is primarily a task of shared decision-making and monitoring, and is inherently more complex than diagnostic reasoning. A better understanding of management reasoning will offer insights into the causes and avoidance of medical error, clinical practice quality improvement, and training and assessment of health professionals.

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.

November 7, 2024 | 2 min read

Following my own rules

By Julie Caffrey, DO, MS, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Having my own set of guidelines has helped me to continuously improve. One of my favorites is consciously learning something new every day.

Kau Sai Chau Public Golf Club, Hong Kong.

July 21, 2020 | 1 min read

Medicine is Like Golf

By Barry Bryant, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

In both medicine and golf, it's helpful to accept that much is beyond our control. Trusting our ability —grounded in thousands of hours of focused practice—may allow us to have the confidence that our best efforts will usually translate into favorable results.