October 24, 2019 | 1 min read

The Art of Talking About Death

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

The clinically excellent clinician engages in honest conversations about death and dying with patients and their families.

April 14, 2022 | 3 min read

Equity and Ethical Considerations With The Use of Psychedelics

By Ian Pocock, LICSW, Washington

Psychedelic medicines may help patients suffering with PTSD and treatment-resistant depression. As with many new therapies, ethical considerations and ensuring equal access for everyone are works in progress.

August 9, 2018 | 4 min read

Becoming a better ally

By Mariah Robertson, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

LGBTQ seniors are at a significantly higher risk for health disparities and frequently withhold their gender identity or sexual orientation from their physician due to fear of being turned away or discriminated against. It is up to each of us to educate ourselves so we can be empowered to routinely ask about the sexual health of our aging patients.

September 23, 2024 | 3 min read

The rabbit hole 

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

Through my own experience as a patient, I was reminded that ordering diagnostic tests should be approached with caution and careful consideration of the potential implications. These include the likelihood of additional testing and increased anxiety. 

August 13, 2020 | 3 min read

Exploring Professional Identity Through Art

By Angelica Kene Ezeigwe, Medical Student, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Reflecting periodically on why you chose medicine as a career may help you to reconnect with your passion and rekindle the joy of serving patients.

February 4, 2019 | 1 min read

Behind the Mask

By Mark Stephens, MD, Penn State College of Medicine

Growing into a sense of oneself as a physician requires self-awareness, thoughtfulness, and a habit of reflective practice. The process of art-making represents an interesting way to examine identity formation over time.

June 21, 2018 | 6 min read

How Home Ventilator Care Helped My Patients

By Mattan Schuchman, MD, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

Learning how to work with patients on ventilators at home has been a gratifying challenge.

June 17, 2019 | 2 min read

Seeking the Silver Lining

By Alin Gragossian, DO, Drexel University

If you seek positivity, you will find it.

October 28, 2021 | 2 min read

Dropping my Pen

By Howard Chang, Medical Student, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Excellent clinicians implement colleagues’ feedback to improve their care of patients and offer guidance to support the growth of others. 

June 28, 2021 | 2 min read

Carrying Pride Month Year Round

By Carl G. Streed Jr., MD, MPH, Boston Medical Center

The skills with which we care for LGBTQ patients, including affirmation and support, will allow us to better care for ALL patients.

September 16, 2024 | 3 min read

What healthcare professionals can learn from Clover, the death doula 

By Scott Wright, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

A novel reminded me about best practices in caring for the dying. “The Collected Regrets of Clover” repeatedly stressed to acknowledge the emotional complexities surrounding death and to never look away from someone’s pain. 

June 13, 2019 | 6 min read

How to Talk With a Vaccine Skeptic

By Dharushana Muthulingam, MD, Yale School of Medicine

You cannot treat those who challenge you with contempt. Conversations must be navigated with respect and compassion.

March 6, 2024 | 2 min read

Both sides 

By Joanne Shay, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

I realized that I didn’t truly understand my patients’ pain until I experienced pain myself. This has allowed me to give even better care. 

March 31, 2022 | 2 min read

A Lesson in Cultural Humility

By Mengyi "Zed" Zha, MD, Othello, Washington

Working at a community health clinic serving migrant workers from Mexico, I was confronted with a pervasive stereotype that the female patients were “dramatic.” I learned how important it was for patients’ concerns to be taken seriously.   

October 9, 2019 | 3 min read

Return to Play

By John Wilckens, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

While research findings are critical for clinical decisions, they only support the human art of empathizing with and understanding your patients.

March 23, 2021 | 2 min read

Helping Patients Navigate The Healthcare System

By Kultaj Kaleka, MD, RN, Central Michigan University

We all share in the responsibility of assisting patients who find themselves in unfamiliar healthcare settings and scenarios. By experiencing some of the challenges our patients face, we can help to make systemic changes that will improve care.

January 23, 2023 | 2 min read

Young People And Mental Health Concerns

By Mackenzie Sommerhalder, PhD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

The decision to bring a young patient to the ER for mental health concerns versus what can wait is challenging. As a general rule, a young person should be taken to the ER if the caregiver has any concern about their safety and/or the safety of others. 

July 6, 2018 | 1 min read

Music and Coffee

By Scott Wright, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

If you get the sense that one of your patients is isolated or alone, ask about their support network. If they have none, ask if they would like help in being connected to community resources.

October 20, 2021 | 3 min read

Rethinking the Routine in the Pursuit of Inclusion

Interprofessional team members bring a rich variety of perspectives about patients that can lead to better whole person care. Using first names among our team helps minimize power differentials.

April 1, 2020 | 4 min read

Strength in Vulnerability

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

There is strength in acknowledging our fears individually and facing them collectively.

March 1, 2018 | 2 min read

Five Habits to Reduce Stress and Bring Joy to Patient Care

By Neda Gould, PhD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Five simple ways to incorporate mindfulness into our daily patient interactions, increasing the joy of patient care.

March 17, 2021 | 3 min read

Making Unconscious Bias Training Work

By Verna Monson, PhD, Minneapolis, Minnesota

To be an antiracist, you must be aware of your own biases and learn from your missteps. And remember that unconscious bias training is only a starting point for dismantling discrimination.

August 29, 2024 | 1 min read

Where do you live?  

Clinicians must go beyond medical diagnoses and address social determinants of health, such as housing instability. Finding the best hospital discharge solution may require creativity and team collaboration. 

March 8, 2021 | 3 min read

How to Talk With The Media

By Stephanie McGann Jantzen, Strategic & Crisis Communications Professional

When speaking with the media about healthcare topics, provide up-to-date information, stick to the facts, and avoid medical jargon.

February 12, 2024 | 2 min read

Recognizing and treating substance use disorders in healthcare professionals 

By Gregory Hobelmann, MD, MPH, President of Ashley Addiction Treatment

Healthcare professionals are at least just as vulnerable to substance use disorders as the general public. It never occurred to me that I may be among those numbers, but I am. 

April 2, 2019 | 5 min read

Connecting to Historical Roots

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

There are a number of important physicians in history, and an appreciation of our past can further our quest for clinical excellence in the present.

March 6, 2018 | 2 min read

With Respect to Clinical Excellence, Age is Only a Number

By Roy Ziegelstein, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

With respect to clinical excellence, compassion, knowledge, diagnostic reasoning, and clinical skill are far more important than age—age is only a number.

February 1, 2024 | 3 min read

Remembering your why during challenging times 

By Vee Balendra, medical student, Saint James School of Medicine, Illinois

Working in healthcare can sometimes feel overwhelming. During times of stress, recalling why you chose your career may help to inspire and rejuvenate.

December 10, 2019 | 2 min read

No Patience for Patient Violence

By Che Harris, MD, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

The clinically excellent clinician prepares before intervening to de-escalate patients who may be behaving aggressively.

August 7, 2024 | 1 min read

The rat

Soliciting diverse perspectives and considering unexpected etiologies can improve diagnostic accuracy. Answers to clinical puzzles may be rooted in cultural and geographic specificities. 

September 12, 2022 | 2 min read

The Medical Interview And All That Jazz 

By Jeffrey Millstein, MD, Penn Medicine

Like learning to play jazz, medical interviewing skills can grow and develop through close observation and imitation of mentors. 

October 7, 2021 | 1 min read

Wildfires and public health

By Panagis Galiatsatos, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Healthcare professionals must work with the community they serve, focusing on open dialogues and communication. This will help citizens deal with unforeseen challenges.

September 8, 2022 | 2 min read

The Forgotten One

By Howard Chang, Medical Student, Johns Hopkins Medicine

A caregiver’s compassion-fatigue affects the patient. Caregiver support should be considered in the treatment plan. 

October 13, 2021 | 2 min read

Social Media During The Pandemic

By Carol Vidal, MD, PhD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

While social media is contributing to increased rates of depression during the pandemic, it also keeps us socially connected during challenging times.

September 12, 2019 | 3 min read

Connecting climate change to patient care

By Bailey Miles, MD, Johns Hopkins Community Physicians

Clinicians must confront the health threats posed by climate change. To safeguard the health of all humanity, we should take a leadership role in addressing this critical issue.

February 9, 2021 | 3 min read

How to Support Patients With Chronic Pain and Substance Use Disorder

By Juliette Perzhinsky, MD, MSc, Central Michigan University

All patients must be treated with empathy. Those suffering with chronic pain and addiction may be especially deserving of compassion.

January 8, 2019 | 1 min read

Book Review of “Wolf Constellation”

By Deirdre Johnston, MBBCh, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

This novel prompts us to consider a family's story across generations and its influence on the emergence, manifestation, diagnosis, and treatment of illness in an individual. We routinely inquire about, and document, every patient's family history, but the simple listing of a diagnosis in other family members does not tell the whole story. We need to be curious about that story, because it can tell us much about our patients' strengths and vulnerabilities.

June 8, 2021 | 1 min read

Loved Ones: Seize The Opportunity

By Jeffrey Millstein, MD, Penn Medicine

Ask for loved ones’ input during clinic visits. Different perspectives may shed new light on patient concerns.

October 22, 2020 | 2 min read

Patient voting matters

By Patrick Hemming, MD, Duke University

Clinicians are in a position of influence and can encourage patients to vote. Expressing confidence in patients’ ability to make a difference as a voter may motivate them to take action.

February 10, 2021 | 2 min read

Supporting Patients Through Small Strokes

By Elisabeth Breese Marsh, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Cognitive dysfunction is common after small strokes. Reassure your patient that symptoms will improve over time and that recovery may take several months.

July 23, 2020 | 3 min read

Stepping Back Before Moving Forward

By Moises Auron, MD, Cleveland Clinic

Considering multiple diagnostic possibilities and not anchoring on the incoming diagnosis may increase the chance of getting it right.