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Moving Us Closer To Osler
A Miller Coulson Academy of Clinical Excellence Initiative
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Creative Arts in Medicine
Connecting with Patients
Passion in the Medical Profession
Lifelong Learning in Clinical Excellence
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March 13, 2018 | 2 min read

Reading Your Patient and Changing Your Plan

By Mike Fingerhood, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

We usually already have an agenda set when we see patients. However, we have to be ready to improvise by reading the patient, and be open to changing our plan.

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. 

September 21, 2022 | 1 min read

Finding Passion, Purpose, and Meaning

By Carisa Parrish, PhD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

When experiencing burnout on the job, enjoying activities outside of work may lead to greater happiness and life satisfaction, until your passion for work returns. 

November 8, 2018 | 2 min read

How Maintaining Fitness Can Enhance Your Clinical Practice

By Mike Rucker, PhD, Active Wellness

Maintaining your fitness may prevent burnout, and can be viewed as a gift to yourself, your patients, and your clinical practice.

January 23, 2025 | 1 min read

Only 13.9%?! 

By Edward Slipek, MD, St. Paul, Minnesota

Every patient encounter provides an opportunity to have a conversation about their physical activity levels—recognizing its profound impact on both mental and physical health outcomes. 

The courtyard within the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, Boston, Massachusetts. Photograph by Flora Smyth Zahra.

November 26, 2019 | 7 min read

October Art Museum Challenge

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

Students appreciate the opportunity to engage with one another in the sanctuary of an art museum; the setting itself fosters well-being.

August 22, 2023 | 4 min read

HeART And Soul

By Jonathan McFarland, Medical Humanist, Autonomous University of Madrid & University of Pompeu Fabra

Incorporating the arts into patient care may be a step toward infusing compassion into what can be a dehumanizing healthcare environment. 

July 18, 2024 | 2 min read

The French secret 

By Alisha Dziarski, MS, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Clinicians might consider recommending interactive recreational activities to some patients rather than non-specific exercise guidelines. These endeavors provide exercise, community, and social interaction all in one. 

July 26, 2023 | 3 min read

Small change = big impact (archives, 2023)

By Jennifer Katzenstein, PhD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Ideally, healthcare professionals model healthy habits. In doing so, they can inspire others and influence the health of communities.

A Reversed Retrogress: Scene 1 (The Purple Shall Govern) (2013), Mary Sibande. Courtesy of the artist and Somerset House London. Photograph by Flora Smyth Zahra.

October 28, 2019 | 5 min read

September Art Museum Challenge

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

By providing a creative space in which healthcare professionals can build skills integral to clinical practice, while also expressing their vulnerabilities and humanity, art museum-based education can humanize healthcare and provide an antidote to burnout.

February 4, 2025 | 2 min read

Sweet dreams 

By Molly Atwood, PhD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

By understanding the interplay of environmental factors, physiological responses, and cognitive habits, clinicians can help patients cultivate personalized routines that should result in more restful nights. 

March 8, 2022 | 3 min read

Tips For Assessing The Intensity of Pain

By Brian Lee, MD, PhD, Johns Hopkins Medicine, David Madder, DO, Johns Hopkins Medicine

When assessing pain, we often ask patients to assign it a number between 0 and 10. Asking about the effect of pain on behavior and functional status can often give us a more meaningful understanding. 

June 1, 2021 | 2 min read

The Lifelong Journey in Professional Identity Formation

By Margot Kelly-Hedrick, MD, University of Washington

We must work toward defining our identities throughout our careers as we strive to give excellent care to every patient.

December 18, 2024 | 1 min read

Finding calm in a divided landscape 

By Neda Gould, PhD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Vitriolic political discourse can affect patient well-being. Clinicians can acknowledge this and offer practical coping strategies.

March 24, 2020 | 1 min read

Exercising for Wellness During the Pandemic

By Erica Leonard, MD, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

With the drastic changes to our lives due to COVID-19, we can still stay active. Exercise during this challenging time can help improve everyone's emotional well-being and physical health.

April 18, 2019 | 2 min read

The Importance of Rest

By Gretchen Miller, Managing Editor

Make time for rest in order to lead a good life! This includes not working around-the-clock, prioritizing both work and non-work activities equally, and using your vacation time!

Brushing your teeth each morning and night can be a great time to practice being mindful - instead of checking your phone!

December 3, 2018 | 2 min read

Attitudinal Foundations of Mindfulness

By Neda Gould, PhD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

In mindfulness meditation, we are not trying to change anything. We are simply becoming aware of what is going on without judging it as good or bad. When we bring our awareness to the present moment, a natural by-product is often relaxation.

"Untitled," by David Kopacz.

December 22, 2020 | 3 min read

The New “Normal” For Mental Health in 2021

By David Kopacz, MD, University of Washington

Let patients know that it’s ok to feel abnormal in abnormal times.

March 9, 2023 | 2 min read

Latticeworks

By Zaina Siraj, medical student, Albany Medical College

The more we learn and grow, the better we can understand ourselves, our patients, and our world. 

October 26, 2020 | 1 min read

8 Ways to Manage Election Stress

By Neda Gould, PhD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Mindfulness strategies can help clinicians and patients alike to ease election-related anxiety and promote positive mental health.

July 14, 2020 | 5 min read

Top 10 Tips For Great Sleep During the Pandemic

By Logan Schneider, MD, Stanford Medicine

Great sleep is a foundation of health—both for healthcare professionals and our patients. Because sleep can be disturbed with the stress of the pandemic, it's important to commit to sleep-promoting habits and routines.

November 30, 2023 | 1 min read

STD knows not your DOB (archives, 2023)

By Jeffrey Millstein, MD, Penn Medicine

Sex can be an important part of life in older age. My patient reminded me to address STD prevention and other intimacy concerns consistently in all sexually active adults. 

January 3, 2023 | 3 min read

Having fun can change your life

By Mike Rucker, PhD, Active Wellness

Lack of time and minimal control of your schedule can be significant sources of burnout. Discover simple ways to reclaim your time and integrate pleasurable experiences.

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.  

February 8, 2022 | 2 min read

How to Improve Patient-Clinician Connections, Part 3

By Christine Ko, MD, Yale University

Starting each visit with a centering exercise focused on the patient may allow one to be fully present.    

July 30, 2024 | 3 min read

Unplug to recharge 

By Jennifer Katzenstein, PhD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

When I engaged in a personal digital detox, I noticed my ability to focus on patients improved. Two ideas to try are setting screen-time limits and establishing tech-free zones. 

December 22, 2021 | 3 min read

Coping with grief during the holidays

By Ankita Sagar, MD, Brooklyn, New York

Having experienced my cousin’s death before Christmas reminds me that December isn’t a joyous time for everyone. I encourage those struggling to connect with loved ones and limit substance use. 

June 10, 2024 | 2 min read

Let’s talk about sex and aging 

By Mariah Robertson, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Open and inclusive questions during routine visits with older patients can improve their sexual health outcomes. 

November 24, 2021 | 4 min read

What I Learned When I Deleted my Social Media

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

When I stopped checking Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook, I created a boundary between myself and the never-ending stream of noise and emotion. I now have more bandwidth to empathize with my patients’ feelings.

"An Infinity Room Installation," Yayoi Kusama. Wikivisually.com. Public Domain.

December 19, 2019 | 5 min read

November Art Museum Challenge

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

The reality of clinical practice can be complex and uncertain and these sessions away from the clinics in and around the art museum space allow students through haptic exploration to become more comfortable with ambiguity.

May 25, 2023 | 2 min read

Fighting The Feed

By Colleen Schreyer, PhD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Limiting social media use and being selective about what you view can help cultivate a positive body image. 

October 12, 2022 | 1 min read

Equity and Inclusion: Beyond The Recognition Phase

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

Increasing the diversity of minority clinicians is a first step in combatting racism in medicine. We must also ensure that curricula are free of stereotypes and bias. 

June 18, 2018 | 7 min read

Treating Every Patient How I Would Want To Be Treated

By Mitchell Goldstein, MD, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

A pediatric emergency department physician shares his inspiring clinical mission and values statement.

August 30, 2021 | 3 min read

TIPPS For Reducing Patients’ Anxiety

By Elizabeth Steuber, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Helping patients engage in paced breathing and progressive muscle relaxation can be calming when they are feeling stressed.

December 12, 2023 | 2 min read

“CARE”

By Kelly Buckholdt, PhD, Veterans Health Administration, William Laurento II, MEdL

There’s no more dramatic way to understand patient-centered care than being a patient. 

April 4, 2022 | 4 min read

Lessons From Puppies About Life And Medicine

By Ankita Sagar, MD, Brooklyn, New York

Adopting a pandemic puppy has reminded me of the value of play, curiosity, listening, perseverance, and vulnerability. This helps me be a better human and give better patient care. 

"While cranberry products may help prevent UTIs in some people, they’re not a cure. If your patient suspects a UTI, encourage them to seek a medical evaluation for proper treatment."

February 3, 2025 | 3 min read

Debunking women’s health and menopause myths 

Women's health, especially menopause, is rife with misinformation. Addressing patients’ needs with empathy and evidence will help empower them to make choices in line with their goals for care. 

June 25, 2021 | 3 min read

“Tell me About Yourself”

By Aidan Crowley, Medical Student, University of Pennsylvania

During my recent experiences interviewing for med school, I learned that the best interviewers, like the best clinicians, focused on my comfort and let our conversation flow naturally. Such prioritizations promote deeper human connections

July 17, 2018 | 4 min read

Being a True Patient Advocate

By Deborah Freeland, MD, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

Sometimes being an advocate for your patient means fighting for a decision that you don’t fully agree with and respecting their decision; in so doing, you are fulfilling your duty to protect and honor patient autonomy.

March 29, 2018 | 1 min read

Top Five Tips For Successful Community Engagement

Part II of II: Five specific strategies to gain the trust of your patient’s community, agree on health goals, and together define what success looks like.

August 5, 2024 | 2 min read

Shaping great clinicians

To ensure the next generation of healthcare professionals is outstanding, clinicians need to role model clinical excellence. Asking open-ended questions and listening to patient concerns are two ways to demonstrate patient-centered care. 

April 15, 2020 | 2 min read

Keeping Older Adults Connected

By Susan Lehmann, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Social distancing can increase loneliness, especially among older adults. Finding ways to stay connected through phone and virtual visits can combat social isolation.

December 7, 2022 | 4 min read

The Road to Aequanimitas

My medical training in the 80s and 90s taught me to be reserved and distant from patients. After many years in practice, I now know that they deserve a personal relationship with their doctor.  

January 18, 2022 | 4 min read

How to Make New Habits Stick, Part 3

By Howard Chang, Medical Student, Johns Hopkins Medicine

We can break bad habits in our own lives and help patients do the same by making them unattractive, difficult, unsatisfying, and removing triggers.

May 6, 2019 | 3 min read

When I Could not Hear my Patient

By Erin Snyder, MD, University of Alabama School of Medicine

Listening and understanding is what leads to true patient partnership, which is what is going to lead to true health.

October 8, 2025 | 3 min read

Don’t forget to cycle! 

Regular bike riding reduces stress and lowers dementia risk. Do it daily and routinely ask patients, “What does your typical daily movement look like?” 

August 8, 2023 | 2 min read

Advocating For Gun Safety

By Ankita Sagar, MD, Brooklyn, New York

As healthcare professionals, we’ve chosen to make healing and preventative care our life’s work. Working to mitigate firearm injuries and deaths will create safer communities and is part of our professional commitment. 

October 25, 2022 | 4 min read

Just Breathe

By Jillian Bybee, Michigan State University

When my patients experience pre-procedural anxiety, I normalize the emotion and suggest ways to feel calm. Taking deep breaths together is often mutually beneficial for patients and clinicians.

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. 

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. 

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