June 19, 2018 | 2 min read

Sleep solutions (archives, 2018)

People see sleep as a luxury, but it's a basic human need. As clinicians, we should ask patients how they're sleeping. Here are nine things you can recommend to help them feel more rested.

March 21, 2024 | 2 min read

Young LGBTQ+ patients deserve more 

By Brady Hanshaw, medical student, Harvard Medical School, Thara Nagarajan, MD, UCSF

36% of LGBTQ+ youth are unsure they’ll live until the age of 35. These mental health outcomes are even more severe for LGBTQ+ youth of color. It’s critical that clinicians create a safe space to talk about anxiety, depression, self-harm, and suicidal ideation. 

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. 

February 12, 2020 | 1 min read

Agents of Change—Learning From Gen Z Healthcare Students

By Kevin Pan, Medical Student, Ohio University School of Medicine

Excellent clinicians are committed to reducing health inequity.

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.

October 3, 2024 | 2 min read

Patient time 

By Katherine Majzoub Morgan, MD, Brigham and Womens Hospital

Ask patients if they are concerned about the amount of time it takes to engage with health care systems. For those who are, include time as a factor in shared decision-making conversations. 

January 2, 2019 | 3 min read

The Human Experience of Illness

By Tina Zhang, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Paintings, photographs, and poems can foster dialogue about the human experience of illness and allow learners to approach challenging topics in a more comfortable way.

June 30, 2020 | 1 min read

Learning to be Antiracist

By Ashlyn McRae, Medical Student, Johns Hopkins Medicine

We must acknowledge the ways in which we have been, and are racist. This will allow us to provide the most equitable care to all of our patients.

September 7, 2023 | 2 min read

“Wild Problems” Book Review

By Margaret Chisolm, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

When it comes to the big decisions in life, abandoning a rational, algorithmic approach—and going back to guiding principles—may be the secret to happiness. 

May 7, 2019 | 2 min read

Finding Balance

By Danielle Johnson, MD, Lindner Center of HOPE, University of Cincinnati

Small gestures while supporting patients through trauma and grief can make a big difference.

April 18, 2018 | 6 min read

How To Reclaim Boredom From Your Smartphone

By Timothy Plante, MD, MHS, The University of Vermont Larner College of Medicine

Boredom brings mind wandering; mind wandering brings creativity. Here’s how I reclaimed boredom in my life.

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 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. 

March 19, 2024 | 2 min read

Caring for transgender and gender-expansive patients, Part 2

By Paula Neira, JD, MSN, RN, CEN, FAAN, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Transgender and gender-expansive patients often feel uncomfortable in healthcare settings and avoid care. Be sure to use every patient’s chosen name/pronoun and take care not to misgender.

March 20, 2018 | 2 min read

7 Things Clinicians Can Learn From Therapy Dogs

By Stephanie Cooper Greenberg, Johns Hopkins Pet Therapy Program

Dogs see the person in front of them only as people and not as patients.

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.

February 2, 2023 | 2 min read

We Just Disagree

By Eric Last, DO, Northwell Health, Wantagh, New York

When colleagues offer a conflicting opinion, remember to always put the patient first, check your facts, and be open to learning.  

August 23, 2018 | 4 min read

How To Incorporate Students Effectively Into Clinic

Making the time and effort to integrate students into clinic cohesively can be associated with both improved clinical productivity and educational value.

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.

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 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.    

August 30, 2023 | 2 min read

Containing Chaos Through Dance

By Shreya Srivastava, medical student, Albany Medical College

The strength, stamina, emotional understanding, and situational awareness that dancers develop over time can also benefit healthcare professionals.  

September 3, 2020 | 3 min read

See Something, Say Something

By Kali Cyrus, MD, MPH, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Being an ally for justice to patients and colleagues requires taking action. Doing or saying something, literally anything, when someone is mistreated is better than nothing.

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.

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.

March 18, 2024 | 2 min read

Caring for transgender and gender-expansive patients, Part 1 

By Paula Neira, JD, MSN, RN, CEN, FAAN, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Clinicians must be aware that transgender and gender-expansive patients face widespread discrimination in healthcare settings, including harassment and denial of care, and work to mitigate this disturbing trend. 

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. 

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.

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.

January 31, 2023 | 1 min read

Brain Candy

By Carol Vidal, MD, PhD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Because we don't know yet how social media affects our brain, it needs to be consumed in moderation. Scheduling times to spend time with friends and family may make it easier to get offline. 

October 2, 2024 | 1 min read

Pain management: a perspective from a doctor in Kuwait 

Pain and suffering are ubiquitous. Observing approaches and practices in the U.S. highlighted for me the importance of open dialogue, patient empowerment, and multimodal approaches.   

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!

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 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.   

August 29, 2023 | 1 min read

Music and Medicine: The Same Melody 

By Tara Rajendran, MBBS, MFA, Annamalai University, Annamalai Nagar, Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu, India 

My training in classical Indian music helped me to become better at focused listening and recognizing the importance of teamwork in medicine. 

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.

April 17, 2018 | 5 min read

Knowing Your Patient

By Khalil Ghanem, MD, PhD, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

Diagnostic excellence begins and ends with knowing your patient.

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 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.

March 14, 2024 | 3 min read

Why sexual orientation and gender identity in the EMR matters 

By Tyler Cornell, MSN/MPH, CRNP (she/her), Johns Hopkins Medicine  

Always ask patients about their gender identity, preferred name, pronouns, and how they define their sexual orientation. This builds trust and helps your patients feel safe to return for follow-up. 

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. 

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!

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.

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.  

September 26, 2024 | 3 min read

Under the influencers 

By Adam Schiavi, MD, PhD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

The social media "Black out challenge" promotes asphyxia that can result in irreversible brain damage or death. Healthcare professionals should warn patients and caregivers to be cautious about social media trends and provocations. 

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.  

August 28, 2023 | 2 min read

Travelers on an Unfamiliar Road

By Daniel Pomerantz, MD, Montefiore New Rochelle Hospital, New York

A rabbi once taught me the distinction between curing and caring. As I accompany patients on the rough road of illness, I consider ways to make their journey a little smoother. 

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.

August 27, 2020 | 3 min read

Finding Balance During Unbalanced Times

By David Kopacz, MD, University of Washington

Spending time “going into and opening our hearts” is healing and restorative. We can do this for ourselves as healers and guide patients through the practice. It’s as simple as slowing down, putting your hand on your heart, and taking three deep breaths.