September 19, 2022 | 1 min read

What I’ve Learned as an ESL Physician

By Ming-Hsien Wang, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Growing up with non-English speaking parents, I know first-hand the challenges that these patients face. Being able to communicate is imperative for connecting and creating effective treatment plans. 

September 16, 2025 | 2 min read

Lessons from quiet care

True bedside presence isn’t about answers or interventions; it’s about recognizing when silence, observation, and steadfast company are the most meaningful forms of patient care.

May 3, 2021 | 6 min read

Why we Must Learn About Our Patients’ Communities

By Daniel Thomas, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Make time to learn about and invest in the community you serve to deepen your connection with patients.

May 11, 2023 | 1 min read

Life is a Rollercoaster

By Lucia Ponor, MD, MBA, Johns Hopkins Medicine

When my patient told me about how chemotherapy was affecting his family, I realized that sometimes we need to set aside medical facts and just listen. 

October 5, 2021 | 1 min read

The Sound of Silence

By Michelle Warncke, MBBS, MSc, North Carolina

Creating silent moments when talking with patients gives them time to process and the opportunity to share concerns that may not otherwise be spoken.

June 5, 2024 | 2 min read

Near death

By Aurora Grutman, medical student, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Overcoming anxiety about the end of life allows one to explore concerns with empathy and openness. A willingness to learn about patients’ spiritual beliefs can help clinicians provide compassionate and holistic care.

March 10, 2020 | 1 min read

Observing and Acknowledging Family Dynamics

By Kimberly Zeren, NP, Johns Hopkins Community Physicians

During your next patient encounter, take the time to observe the family dynamics. Don't be afraid to ask the difficult questions.

August 25, 2022 | 3 min read

Hugs Are Medicine

By Aidan Crowley, Medical Student, University of Pennsylvania

Showing genuine warmth is a compassionate way to comfort our patients. 

August 28, 2025 | 3 min read

Listening for faith

Inquiring about patients’ spiritual lives can help us deliver more compassionate, holistic care. Noting the diversity of religiosity can help us to respect the outlook and perspectives of all patients. 

April 26, 2021 | 2 min read

Embrace Your Vulnerability

By Jennifer Huang, MD, Oregon Health & Science University

Sometimes sharing personal details about yourself helps forge a deeper connection with your patient.

May 10, 2023 | 1 min read

Coming Back Later

By Tetsuyuki Kawai, medical student, Texas Tech

I learned from my patient with terminal lung cancer that it’s often helpful to give time to process bad news before making a medical plan together.  

September 21, 2021 | 7 min read

How are you . . . really?

By David Kopacz, MD, University of Washington

A helpful practice to connect and understand your patient is to ask, "How are you doing . . . really?” If they’re hesitant to respond, consider sharing something you’ve found stressful lately to open the conversation.

May 22, 2024 | 1 min read

Why the well visit? 

By Jeffrey Millstein, MD, Penn Medicine

There is often a reason for an office visit beyond just “well-check.” It can be challenging and rewarding to skillfully create space for concerns to come out. 

March 11, 2020 | 3 min read

Saturdays With Mr. Hargett

By Yolonda Wilson, PhD, 2019-2020 Fellow at the National Humanities Center and 2019-2020 Encore Public Voices Fellow

Loneliness is an epidemic. Being aware of this, asking about it, and empathizing can make a world of difference.

August 24, 2022 | 2 min read

Conversations with those who are vaccine-hesitant (archives, 2022)

By Joan Park, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Talking about vaccines with patients can sometimes feel challenging. Extending empathy, sharing your own story, and being honest about potential side effects can be helpful. 

August 27, 2025 | 2 min read

“Did you have the baby?” 

Self-disclosure by the clinician had long been discouraged in medical training. Often, it can significantly enhance the patient-doctor relationship. 

March 29, 2021 | 2 min read

Validating Your Patient’s Experience of Chronic Pain

By Jocelyn Fitzgerald, MD, University of Pittsburgh

We must empathize with our patients who are suffering from chronic pain. Working with them to achieve a better quality of life may be a reasonable shared goal.

May 9, 2023 | 3 min read

Interpreting Patients’ Goals

By Adela Wu, MD, Stanford Medicine

While caring for a patient who spoke a different language than I, the medical interpreter translated more than words. She also explained cultural differences that proved invaluable.

September 22, 2021 | 8 min read

The Role of Visual Thinking Strategies Coaching in Clinical Excellence

By Margaret Chisolm, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Take an appreciative approach when giving feedback to learners. It will not only build clinical skills, but will also foster a healthy community of learning and practice.

April 29, 2024 | 3 min read

A patient’s reflection on connecting with clinicians—what matters most 

By Jennifer Ball, BSJ, MA, Chicago, IL

Empathy and cultural competence are cornerstones of excellent patient care. Prioritizing these values can help each patient feel respected, empowered, and supported. 

March 3, 2020 | 3 min read

The Power of the “Ordinary”

By Gaye Cunnane, MD, PhD, Trinity College Dublin

Excellent clinicians recognize that sometimes the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of patients comes in the most unexpected moments.

August 23, 2022 | 1 min read

Supporting Patients When Their Previous Physician Has Left The Practice 

By Carol Bernstein, MD, Montefiore Medical Center, Jeffrey Millstein, MD, Penn Medicine

Thoughtful communication with new patients whose longtime clinicians have recently left positions can reduce stress and help develop rapport. 

August 26, 2025 | 2 min read

A cultural safety-centric approach 

Ask patients, especially those who have been historically marginalized, if they feel safe, heard, and respected.  Take time to learn about their background and healing practices to deepen trust and improve health outcomes. 

April 7, 2021 | 3 min read

Humility

By Steve Bierman, MD, Del Mar, California

In medicine, all too often the optimal approach for diagnosis or therapy is not entirely clear. Acknowledging uncertainty with your patient is a sign of a humility that can strengthen the connection.

May 8, 2023 | 1 min read

“How are you?”

By Rheanna Platt, MD, MPH, Johns Hopkins Medicine

When asking patients and others how they are doing post-pandemic, consider opening with, “I know the transition back to ‘normal’ hasn’t been easy for everyone.” Then leave time for responses other than “fine.”  

September 14, 2021 | 3 min read

The Healing Power of Music

By Brian Garibaldi, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Connecting with a patient around a shared interest can be mutually fulfilling. For me, my guitar helps me to be present and give excellent care to patients.

April 18, 2024 | 1 min read

Anger: a sign of trauma

By Lucia Ponor, MD, MBA, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Healthcare professionals can move beyond simply treating the physical condition by creating a safe space for patients to share traumatic experiences. 

February 24, 2020 | 1 min read

“StoryCorps” Moments

By Sharon Solomon, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Taking the time to listen to patients' stories validates the humanity that is integral in the practice of medicine. It also can create meaning and bring joy within the patient-clinician dyad.

August 17, 2022 | 2 min read

Listening to The How Can Reveal The Why

By Jeffrey Millstein, MD, Penn Medicine, Meshulam Twerski, medical student, Penn Medicine

The way patients express their reluctance to pursue screening can help uncover truths that guide meaningful conversations and build trust.   

August 6, 2025 | 1 min read

A better way to care 

A patient’s anger showed me I needed to recognize his suffering and not simply offer a diagnosis. True care means moving beyond technical skill to connect with the whole person. 

March 15, 2021 | 1 min read

How to talk with patients who are vaccine-hesitant (archives, 2021)

When speaking with patients reluctant to get vaccinated, listen to their concerns, and convey respect and empathy.

May 4, 2023 | 2 min read

The Power of Stories

By Flora Kisuule, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine, Scott Wright, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

A recent grand rounds by Dr. Kimberly Manning illuminated how stories give meaning to why we do what we do.

July 16, 2019 | 3 min read

3 Lessons in Hospitality From my Patient

By Loveleena Virk, MD, Kaiser Permanente, Oakland Medical Center, California.

Hospitality is a human connection through the gift of attention and care. When hospitality becomes our modus operandi, care is transformed from transactional to sacred.

August 31, 2021 | 1 min read

Finding Common Ground

By Faisal Nawaz, Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dubai, UAE

Connecting with patients through shared interests or hobbies can help to strengthen and deepen relationships. For many, this adds to the joy of medicine.

April 10, 2024 | 1 min read

Toxic positivity

By Avani Prabhakar, MBBS, MPH, Johns Hopkins Medicine

A stage 4 cancer patient taught me how constant encouragement can be emotionally draining for someone facing their mortality. Presence, love, and understanding may be better received. 

February 10, 2020 | 2 min read

Engendering Trust in the Care Team

By Jeffrey Millstein, MD, Penn Medicine

Excellent clinicians help patients expand their circle of trust, beyond their favorite physician, to include more members of the healthcare team.

August 11, 2022 | 2 min read

A Mother’s Death

By Avani Prabhakar, MBBS, MPH, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Including a patient’s words in your empathic response is affirming and creates connection.

July 14, 2025 | 2 min read

Patient-directed discharge  

When a patient decides to leave the hospital earlier than advocated for by the medical team, many factors may drive their decision. Understanding their perspective and partnering on care plans can help them feel safe to stay and complete treatment. 

April 5, 2021 | 2 min read

Slowing Down at The Bedside

By Sanjana Mathur, MBBS, University of Central Florida

Physically examining your patient takes time and cannot be rushed. Having a methodical approach will help you make accurate assessments when examining patients.

April 27, 2023 | 1 min read

Love Lessons

By Jennifer Plotkin, MD, Los Angeles VA

I was afraid to connect on a deep level with my patients, concerned that my heart would overpower my head. Such relationships are what make practicing medicine meaningful. 

May 28, 2019 | 3 min read

Supporting my Patients who Smoke

It's important to make sure that the responsibility for addressing tobacco dependence is placed on the shoulders of clinicians, and off of the shoulders of the afflicted.

May 23, 2018 | 2 min read

Identity: Knowing How Our Patients Describe Themselves Matters

The complexity of identity is what makes “getting to know your patient” important, and allows for deeper cultural engagement, exchange, understanding, and, ultimately, helps us to create a culturally competent health plan with our patients.

March 27, 2024 | 1 min read

Deepening connections: takeaways from David Brooks’ “How to Know a Person” 

By Gretchen Miller, Managing Editor

Healthcare professionals can enhance their connections with patients and coworkers by truly understanding others. Looking beyond the surface, cultivating empathy, and mastering the art of paying attention can help clinicians build deeper relationships. 

February 5, 2020 | 2 min read

A Picture’s Worth a Thousand Words

By Rafael Llinas, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

The clinically excellent physician knows that sometimes talking isn't enough. When possible, sharing information with patients visually can enhance their understanding.

August 4, 2022 | 2 min read

Processing The ICU Experience  

By Avani Prabhakar, MBBS, MPH, Johns Hopkins Medicine

When my patient felt overwhelmed from an ICU stay, I realized what she needed most was to have her feelings validated after this near-death experience. 

July 2, 2025 | 2 min read

Lead with listening   

When a patient’s fears and misinformation create barriers to care, start with listening and validating concerns rather than beginning with facts. Shifting the conversation to what matters to them builds trust and can open the door to effective treatment. 

March 22, 2021 | 2 min read

Why I Care About The Costumes in “Little Women”

By Leslie Miller, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

We can build deeper relationships with our patients by talking with them about their passions—from Broadway to zinnias.

April 12, 2023 | 1 min read

Still Working After All These Years

By Avani Prabhakar, MBBS, MPH, Johns Hopkins Medicine

When I empathized with my older patient about the hardships of colon cancer, she began sharing many of the good things in her life, like still being able to work. 

May 21, 2019 | 3 min read

Telling People Terrible Things

By Amy Caruso Brown, MD, SUNY Upstate Medical University

Learning to break bad news gently takes time and practice, with the goal of telling the most terrible things to our patients a little bit less terrible.