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.

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.

September 19, 2019 | 2 min read

The Importance of Partnering With Patients

By Michael Crocetti, MD, MPH, Johns Hopkins Community Physicians

What patients and families need is a clinician advocate who is available to listen, translate complex medical language, and support both the physical and mental health of the patient.

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.

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. 

June 11, 2020 | 2 min read

The Power of Accompaniment

By Aidan Crowley, Medical Student, University of Pennsylvania

When there are no further treatment options available, healthcare professionals can still compassionately accompany their patients until the very end.

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. 

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.

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.

September 10, 2019 | 1 min read

3 Reasons why Shared Decision-making Matters

By Minas Chrysopoulo, MD, PMRA Plastic Surgery

When patients and clinicians arrive at a treatment plan together, patients feel more involved, confident, and satisfied with their care.

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. 

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. 

April 3, 2018 | 1 min read

10 tips to support patients with a substance use disorder

By Mike Fingerhood, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

I’ve devoted my entire career to supporting patients with substance use disorders (SUD). Here are the top 10 tips that I’ve learned over the past few decades.

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. 

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 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.

September 3, 2019 | 2 min read

“Hand-holding”

By Colleen Leavitt, MD, Johns Hopkins Community Physicians

Personalized care softens the edges of a one-size-fits-all medical system that perpetuates inequities. For some, clinicians and the healthcare system need to be able to step-up and take actions that support their patients' health.

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. 

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. 

July 9, 2020 | 1 min read

The Return of House Calls

By Sajida Chaudry, MD, MPH, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Listening and looking closely when visiting with patients virtually in their homes can give us a more holistic picture of their lives and support systems.

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. 

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 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.

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.

August 19, 2019 | 6 min read

Holding Hope

By Jennifer Goetz, MD, Massachusetts General Hospital and McLean Hospital

By highlighting the strength and courage of our patients, we can sustain hope for our patients and their families.

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. 

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.   

July 7, 2020 | 1 min read

Curbside Care

By Marianne Fingerhood, NP, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Whether seeing patients in-person or virtually, one of the most important aspects of care is the human connection.

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. 

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.”  

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 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.

July 24, 2019 | 3 min read

Time, Talent, and Treasure

By Jennifer Foster, MD, MBA, Florida Atlantic University

Excellent clinicians always strive to make human connections with their patients. This creates the foundation of trust and respect essential to healing.

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. 

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.

May 6, 2020 | 1 min read

Talking With Children About COVID-19 Using Stories

By Taylor Purvis, MD, St. Vincent Medical Center, Bridgeport, CT

In times of heightened anxiety for children, parents turn to clinicians for help. Sharing COVID-19 resources for children, including stories, can help them make sense of the pandemic.

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. 

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.

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 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.

August 14, 2019 | 3 min read

What Physics Taught me About Patient Stories

By Jeffrey Millstein, MD, Penn Medicine

As in physics, the answers are usually in plain sight. Listening to our patients with curiosity and humility will usually lead to understanding.

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. 

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. 

April 28, 2020 | 2 min read

Cream Cheese and Kindness

By Ivor Berkowitz, MBBCh, MBA, Johns Hopkins Medicine

“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” -Maya Angelou

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. 

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. 

April 19, 2021 | 2 min read

Let Your Patient Dream

By Zeina Moukarzel, MD, MPH, Beirut, Lebanon

From my young patient about to have all of her limbs amputated, I learned about compassion and courage.