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. 

January 27, 2020 | 3 min read

Ethical Dilemmas in Dementia Care Design

By Diana Anderson, MD, MArch, Clincial Geriatrics Fellow, University of California, San Francisco

Innovative dementia care designs raise moral questions about whether deception of patients is ever ethical. The clinically excellent physician tries to avoid deception at all costs.

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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.

July 13, 2020 | 2 min read

Eklavya and the Power of Online Learning

By Mrinali Shetty, MD, University of Chicago, Yuvraj Chowdhury, MD, SUNY Downstate Medical Center

During the pandemic, there has been an increase in educational offerings that can enhance our clinical skills. This expansion of virtual learning opportunities, (like open-access Zoom lectures and grand rounds, and #MedTwitter #tweetorials on countless topics), can be a boon for all.

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 6, 2019 | 7 min read

May Art Museum Challenge

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

The art museum is a space that has lessons to teach about clinical excellence, and fosters both the personal development and professional identity formation of clinicians.

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. 

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.  

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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. 

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?

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.

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 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.

July 26, 2018 | 1 min read

A Taste of Their Own Medicine

By Scott Wright, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Videos spreading misinformation to patients, promoting unproven therapies, can spread like wildfire on social media. We are sharing another video to fight fire with fire.

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.

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.

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.

July 18, 2023 | 1 min read

Can a chatbot be a clinician’s friend?

By Adam Poliak, PhD, Bryn Mawr College, Eric Leas, PhD, Mark Dredze, PhD, Johns Hopkins University

ChatGPT can draft seemingly empathic answers to patient questions on medical portals. This may help clinicians respond more efficiently to their patients’ concerns. 

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.

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.

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.

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.  

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. 

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.

June 25, 2018 | 2 min read

On The Professional Formation of Doctors

By Margaret Chisolm, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

By getting out of the business of knowledge and skills and returning to the work of professional formation, not only will medical schools and their patients win, but doctors—and the profession of medicine as a whole—will too.

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. 

February 19, 2026 | 2 min read

When less is more

When caring for older adults, limit tests and interventions where possible, spot cognitive red flags, and create clear and pragmatic care plans. Small steps like these can improve health outcomes, experiences, and be more rewarding for healthcare teams as well. 

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.

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.

July 17, 2023 | 3 min read

Choreographing Clinical Care

By Hanghang Wang, MD, PhD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Exceptional patient care is akin to a ballet performance. Synergistic team interactions, thoughtful decisions, and deliberate actions are all critical steps in the dance of patient care. 

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!

June 13, 2022 | 2 min read

3 Tips from the ED For All Healthcare Professionals

By Rodney Omron, MD, MPH, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Sharing appreciations with colleagues and learners is your superpower. Use it. 

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.

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.

January 9, 2024 | 3 min read

Dust and distrust

By Matthew Kelly, PhD, MPH, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Infection-related epidemics, like AIDS and COVID, teach us much about caring. To provide humanistic care, clinicians must continuously endeavor to assess and build trust with patients. 

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. 

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.

November 2, 2022 | 2 min read

Psychedelics to Quit Smoking?

By Matthew Johnson, PhD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Patients may ask about using psilocybin to stop smoking. While being actively studied, please remind them that it’s still illegal and not necessarily risk-free. 

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. 

July 11, 2024 | 2 min read

Protecting the most vulnerable from heat-related illnesses (archives, 2024)

By Joanna Cohen, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

When caring for patients during heat waves, healthcare professionals should be aware of social determinants of health—like no air conditioning at home. Clinicians should know the available resources to recommend, such as cooling centers within the communities they serve.