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.

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 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!

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.

February 16, 2022 | 1 min read

Mentorship in Reverse

By Rayah Sawaya, MD, American University of Beirut

If you find a mentor who’s helpful and generous, consider reciprocating with “reverse mentoring.”

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.

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. 

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.

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.

May 10, 2018 | 3 min read

Truly Listen: Clinical Excellence in Nephrology

By Edward Kraus, MD, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

Listen to your patient, try to understand what they're saying, and think beyond policies and protocols to be the best advocate possible.

April 14, 2022 | 3 min read

Afraid to Tell The Truth

By Kirsten Elin Smith, PhD, National Institute on Drug Abuse

When I shared with my clinician that I had previously been a heroin user, she made me feel ashamed. This taught me the importance of listening to patients with nonjudgmental curiosity. 

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.

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.

August 10, 2020 | 2 min read

Debriefing after death (archives, 2020)

By Christopher Bennett, MD, Stanford University

Reflecting on a patient's death as a team provides an opportunity to process emotions and strengthen team dynamics.

August 19, 2021 | 2 min read

The Power of Pictures

By Rebekah Fenton, MD, Northwestern University

When educating patients about their illness, it’s often helpful to include pictures and visual descriptions to improve understanding.

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.  

February 15, 2022 | 1 min read

The Free Throw Line and Mindful Practice

By Richard Schaefer, MD, MPH, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Basketball players have a ritual followed by a pause before shooting a free throw. Clinicians can do likewise to be fully present for their next patient.     

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 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.

May 9, 2018 | 2 min read

Applying the Coaching Model to Medical Education

By Ryan Graddy, MD, AbsoluteCARE Medical Center, Atlanta, Georgia

Coaching—direct observation of learners with feedback geared toward skills development—is an important way to teach individualized medical education. Outstanding coaches across disciplines share characteristics that can be applied in clinical coaching encounters.

April 14, 2022 | 4 min read

Talking About Climate Change With Patients

By Dean Chien, CLOSLER team, Baltimore, Maryland

Climate change affects the health of everyone. When talking with patients about climate change, meet them where they are and listen nonjudgmentally. 

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.

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.

August 26, 2021 | 1 min read

Destigmatizing Addiction: The Power of Words

By Namrata Walia, MD, Baylor College of Medicine

Please use the term 'person with substance use disorder’ instead of ‘addict’!

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. 

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. 

February 2, 2022 | 1 min read

Lessons in Leadership During Adversity

By Roy Ziegelstein, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

In difficult times, it’s helpful to understand others’ fears and concerns. Communicating clearly and regularly with those we serve is essential.

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 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.

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 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.

April 13, 2021 | 2 min read

Patient as Educator

By David Reid, Co-Director, Dare Dementia, England

From my patient with dementia, I learned that patients are experts on the lived experience of their illness. We must value and acknowledge their insights and be open to learning from them.

April 14, 2022 | 2 min read

“Explainaholics”

By Avani Prabhakar, MBBS, MPH, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Sometimes patients and caregivers feel overwhelmed when clinicians provide too much information. When you sense this to be the case, offering clear recommendations can be helpful.

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.  

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.

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.

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.

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. 

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.    

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.

February 3, 2022 | 2 min read

Perspective Matters

By Souvik Chatterjee, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

As the pandemic continues, I remind myself that my job is to give selflessly to those who are sick. It’s helpful to lean on my team when situations feel especially challenging.

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 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. 

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.

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 18, 2021 | 2 min read

Art is Integral to Healthcare

By Kamna Balhara, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine, Sarah Clever, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Engaging with art can address some of medicine’s greatest challenges, including recognizing our common humanity.

April 12, 2022 | 2 min read

Describing the Scribe: How We Help Clinicians

By Dean Chien, CLOSLER team, Baltimore, Maryland

Medical scribes allow clinicians to focus more fully on the patient in front of them. 

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.

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!