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. 

June 7, 2021 | 2 min read

It’s Not About Weight

By Nicole Cifra, MD, MPH, University of Rochester

Approaches employed by eating disorder specialists can be applied to support all patients. This includes emphasizing healthy behaviors and acknowledging your own assumptions about weight.

July 26, 2022 | 2 min read

Sharing One More Pint

By Avani Prabhakar, MBBS, MPH, Johns Hopkins Medicine

When caring for a cancer patient who lived days longer than expected, I learned to be humble in my prognostications and to help patients receive “extra” moments of life as gift. 

November 12, 2019 | 2 min read

The Early Bird Special

By Rebecca Hamburger, Medical Student, Central Michgan University College of Medicine

Timing is everything. Doing our best to optimize access to healthcare is a first step to serving our patients.

September 27, 2018 | <1 min read

Knowing the Patient as a Person in Precision Medicine

By Roy Ziegelstein, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

We must consider each person’s life experiences – so-called Personomics – alongside the many “-omics” that are essential components of Precision Medicine. Personomonics contributes to how illness is expressed, and ideally how it should be diagnosed and treated.

October 14, 2021 | 1 min read

Caring During Death

By Vivian Altiery De Jesus, MD, MBE, Johns Hopkins Medicine

It’s a privilege to care for patients and their loved ones, especially at the end of life. Even when we can’t cure, we can always comfort.

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.

November 17, 2020 | 4 min read

Allyship and Upstanding

By Geoff Stetson, MD, UCSF

It’s critical to promote a culture of emotional safety in your clinical setting. Offer support and speak up when you witness hurtful incidents.

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. 

June 6, 2018 | 1 min read

Open Arms: The Welcoming Spirit of the Osler Residence

By Margaret Chisolm, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Although we might not all live in a “substantial Victorian house” like William Osler’s, we can all embrace the welcoming spirit of “The Open Arms,” and invite more of our learners into our homes for informal meetings, mentorship, and maybe even tea.

March 13, 2019 | <1 min read

Dr. Elliot Fishman, A CLOSLER Look

By Gretchen Miller, Managing Editor

Artificial intelligence (AI) will drastically alter all of medicine, with the potential to enhance patient care through improved diagnoses.

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. 

May 27, 2021 | 2 min read

How to Support Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Patients

By James Wu, MD, Medical College of Wisconsin, Neurofourier, MD, New York, New York, Yuemei Zhang, MD, University of Washington

Currently, AAPI people are facing a wave of discrimination. Clinicians need to be sensitive to patients’ experience of racism and educate themselves on how to best offer support.

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. 

July 20, 2022 | 2 min read

“I’ll do your abortion.”

By Jill Edwardson, MD, MPH, Johns Hopkins Medicine

We enter every patient encounter with our own unique experiences, judgements, and values, as do our patients. Only when we acknowledge this can we truly connect with compassion.

October 10, 2019 | 2 min read

Our Greatest Teachers

By Vivek Murthy, MD, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

To find meaning in your clinical work, search for the words and moments that affirm your shared humanity with patients.

October 12, 2021 | 2 min read

Unshackle The Mind

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

When caring for a man in handcuffs, I was reminded that every patient must be shown empathy and compassion.

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.

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.

April 24, 2018 | 2 min read

Equality v. Equity

Working towards giving equitable care, not equal care, should be our focus, especially if we’re aiming to shrink the health disparities gap.

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. 

March 22, 2022 | 1 min read

Navigating my First Patient Death

By Elissa Abou Khalil, MD, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center

Acknowledging feelings and asking for support may help when dealing with loss.  

March 28, 2019 | 6 min read

Integrating Psychology and Primary Care

By Benjamin Bensadon, PhD, University of Florida College of Medicine

Person-centeredness holds great potential to maximize healing in the way Osler envisioned more than a century ago. But to translate this concept clinically, psychology and medicine must come closer together. The closer we can come together, the closer we can come to Osler.  

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. 

May 19, 2021 | 3 min read

Clinical Training Translating to Clinical Excellence

By Jennifer Spicer, MD, MPH, Emory University

Bias awareness achieved in teaching/learning can transfer to the clinic. Thus learners can help clinicians become aware of bias toward patients.

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.

June 18, 2018 | 2 min read

How To Help Your Patients Get Better Sleep, Part I

A sleep specialist reminds us of the importance of asking patients about their sleep.

October 31, 2019 | 1 min read

A Physician, a Zombie, and a Patient Walk into a Bar

By Michelle Gyenes, MS, Columbia Mailman School of Public Health

We are more like zombies than you might think. This fact reminds us that we should be able to find commonalities with all of our patients and colleagues. Happy Halloween!

September 18, 2018 | 3 min read

No Blushing! How to Talk About Sex With All Patients

By Helene Hedian, MD, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

Engaging in open, nonjudgmental discussions about patients’ sexual health provides an opportunity to assess risk, screen for sexual dysfunction, provide counseling, and offer appropriate vaccinations.

October 11, 2021 | 2 min read

Helping Patients Share Disappointing Diagnoses With Loved Ones

By Ambereen Mehta, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine, Michelle McWhirter, LCSW-C, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Patients often want to share significant health news with loved ones. You can help them choose when and how to disclose this information.

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!

January 25, 2023 | 2 min read

All in The Family

In my general internal medicine practice, I’ve learned that getting to know a patient’s family gives a unique window into their lives.  

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.

February 27, 2019 | 2 min read

The Need for Diversity

By Tyler Mains, MD, University of California, San Francisco

Our future healthcare workforce must be as diverse as the communities it serves.

October 28, 2020 | 1 min read

Preventing Dry Eye in the Zoom Era

By Sharon Solomon, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Increased online activities during the pandemic has caused higher rates of dry eye for many. All clinicians should encourage their patients to take regular short breaks from screens.

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.

March 23, 2022 | <1 min read

Keeping The Readers in Mind

By Vivian Altiery De Jesus, MD, MBE, Johns Hopkins Medicine

When documenting in the medical record, we must use respectful language. Both our patients and colleagues will appreciate and benefit from our thoughtfulness. 

March 7, 2019 | 5 min read

On Looking: February Museum Visit

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

The more lessons on clinical excellence we look for in art, the more we find.

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.

May 6, 2021 | 3 min read

Plus ça Change: The Rise And Rise of Syphilis

By Matthew Hamill, MBChB, PhD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Syphilis cases have reached an all-time high. To turn the tide, the first thing we need to do is ask patients an open-ended question about sexual activity, like "When was the last time you had sex?"

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.

October 2, 2019 | 2 min read

Partnering With Patients to Prevent Diabetes

By Eva Tseng, MD, MPH, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Clinically excellent clinicians effectively counsel and motivate patients to prevent diabetes. Setting specific goals for lifestyle changes, referring to evidence-based Diabetes Prevention Programs, and scheduling timely follow-up visits are among the tips outlined.

October 4, 2021 | 1 min read

Words Matter

By Leslie Miller, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

When serving as an advocate for a family member, I noted judgmental language in the EHR. This reminds me as a clinician to consider how patients (and their families) will feel when they read my notes.

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. 

January 9, 2023 | 2 min read

Questions Raised by “There, There” 

By Mike Fingerhood, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Reflecting on our own “there” (the place where we grew up) can trigger conversation that helps us to understand our patients’ “there.” This can strengthen the patient-clinician relationship.

June 29, 2020 | 2 min read

Lessons From the AIDS Epidemic

By Melinda Kantsiper, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

In times of crisis, it can be helpful to listen and learn from the stories of those who have come before us.

February 11, 2019 | 5 min read

The Dots We Connect – An Interview with Dan Pink

Dan Pink distills pearls of wisdom for health professionals from his bestselling books "A Whole New Mind" and "When."

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. 

March 16, 2022 | 1 min read

How to Support Patients With Autism Post-Pandemic

By Ayman Mukerji Houseman, MS, MSW, New York City

When caring for patients with autism who are moving back to in-person interactions, suggest changes that are gradual with input from patients and their caregivers. 

March 5, 2019 | 3 min read

From Film School to Medical School (Part 3 of 3)

By Margaret Chisolm, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Using both words and images, John Berger and Jean Mohr's photo-essay, "A Fortunate Man," provides an intimate glimpse into the role of the doctor: "To cure sometimes, to relieve often, and to comfort always."