October 7, 2019 | 2 min read

5 Tips for Effective Shared Decision-Making

By Mary Catherine Beach, MD, MPH, Johns Hopkins Berman Institute of Bioethics

The clinically excellent physician practices effective shared decision-making with patients routinely. Select recommendations outlined include using decision aids, and establishing a relationship that is egalitarian and respectful.

April 8, 2022 | 1 min read

“Better”

By Ben Roberts, CRNP, AGACNP-BC, ACHPN, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Using precise language can help us partner with patients in hoping for the best, without causing confusion. 

December 15, 2020 | 1 min read

Embracing the EMR

By Alice Rothchild, MD, Seattle, WA

The best gift we can give our patients is our undivided attention. Maintain eye contact with your patient if and when you’re typing in the electronic medical record during the encounter.

February 28, 2018 | 4 min read

Asking patients about adverse childhood experiences (archives, 2018)

By Brent Beasley, MD, University of Oklahoma

Ask. It's scary. But ask anyway.

August 20, 2020 | 2 min read

2 Minutes of Presence

By Zara Latif, MD, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center

When talking with your patient, dedicate at least two minutes to pure listening. During that time, try to not think about the next question you want to ask and just hear your patient’s perspective.

January 12, 2023 | 1 min read

Pain Talk

By Will Frye, PhD, Johns Hopkins All Childrens, St. Petersburg, Florida

Chronic pain is sometimes a challenging topic to discuss with patients. I’ve learned that the most important thing is to validate my patients’ experience of suffering. 

November 13, 2018 | 2 min read

Seeing the Unseen

By Lauren Small, PhD

To start seeing the unseen, carving out five minutes to sit down and just listen to your patient can make a difference.

October 1, 2019 | 4 min read

Developing a Complete Culture of Interpretation

By April Lugo, Program Coordinator, Johns Hopkins Medicine Office of Diversity and Inclusion

The clinically excellent clinician prioritizes training for themselves and their staff on the proper role of an interpreter. They work to empower interpreters to translate not only the patient's words, but also the patient's tone, cadence, and meaning.

March 3, 2022 | 1 min read

Listening to my Patient’s Anger

By Avani Prabhakar, MBBS, MPH, Johns Hopkins Medicine

When encountering an angry patient, validate feelings rather than becoming defensive.  

November 4, 2020 | 3 min read

It’s All Relative

By Elisabeth Marsh, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

It's essential that we approach each patient with a fresh outlook. Bringing emotions, positive or negative, from a previous clinical interaction can adversely affect the next patient.

August 5, 2020 | 2 min read

Discomfort as Your Internal Compass

By Preetha Hebbar, MPH, medical student, Medical University of South Carolina

There are situations that can make us feel uncomfortable when caring for patients. Acknowledging these feelings may result in deeper and more meaningful relationships with patients.

November 20, 2023 | 2 min read

Honoring indigenous culture amid serious illness

By Katie Nelson, PhD(c), MSN, RN, Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing

We must seek to understand the beliefs, rituals, and ceremonies of all patients and communities. Failing to honor these may erode trust.

September 30, 2019 | 1 min read

Practicing Non-Judgement

By Sophie Lanzkron, MD, MDH, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

A key to persuading patients to make healthy choices is a strong therapeutic relationship.

November 6, 2023 | 2 min read

Believing Patients

By Chloe Lee, MD, MPH, University of Rochester

When patients share their traumatic experiences, trust that they are almost always telling the truth. We must be empathic and compassionate to build therapeutic connections.  

September 23, 2019 | 3 min read

How to Manage Chronic Pain and Opioids

By Ryan Graddy, MD, AbsoluteCARE Medical Center, Atlanta, Georgia

Safe opioid stewardship is a key objective when managing chronic pain. Combining evidence-based strategies and compassionate care can help you to realize these goals.

March 1, 2022 | 1 min read

What to Expect When You’re Expecting (to See The Doctor)

By Jeffrey Millstein, MD, Penn Medicine

A journey through a doctor’s office visit is all too familiar to clinicians and staff, but patients may not know what to expect. Managing expectations provides reassurance and may improve the patient experience.

September 30, 2020 | 2 min read

Perspective-taking Through Poetry

By Howard Chang, Medical Student, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Creative writing may enhance our ability to recognize and understand conflicting perspectives in order to better empathize with our patients.

February 24, 2025 | 2 min read

Listening to find answers 

By Michael Albert, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

To more accurately arrive at the diagnosis, it is generally wise to believe patients’ recounting of their symptoms and experiences. This can result in uncovering medical conditions that are sometimes labeled as being more generalized—like anxiety—and lead to improved patient outcomes.

July 17, 2020 | 1 min read

Person-Centered LGBTQ Care in the Pandemic Era

By Justin Fontenot, MSN, RN

Patient-centered care requires considering your patients’ wants and needs in their management. ALL patients deserve person-centered care.

June 25, 2018 | 2 min read

Identity Part II: Knowing Your Own Past

I’m not a doctor who engages with the community; rather, I’m a community member who became a doctor. This identity has helped me strengthen and maintain my relationships with my patients.

October 10, 2018 | <1 min read

Engaging With Patients’ Communities

Making time to engage with my patients' community has made all the difference in giving clinically excellent care. Enjoy my recent TED Talk, where I tell the story of my journey to connect with my patients' community in Baltimore, Maryland.

October 18, 2023 | 2 min read

Have you done this before?

By Scott Lifchez, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Listen for a patient’s anxiety when they ask questions about treatment. Addressing all concerns builds a trusting relationship and helps them better tolerate procedures that may initially be painful. 

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.

February 17, 2022 | <1 min read

Throw The Heart Machine Out The Window

By Avani Prabhakar, MBBS, MPH, Johns Hopkins Medicine

In serving patients, it is sometimes best just to listen, show respect, and withhold judgement.     

August 14, 2018 | 3 min read

Seeing Your Patients Through New Perspectives

By Patrick Hemming, MD, Duke University

We can enhance our patient care if we incorporate the perspectives of life story and behavior.

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.

December 14, 2022 | 1 min read

Choosing The Right Words

By Jeffrey Millstein, MD, Penn Medicine, Lori Jia, medical student, Penn Medicine

Using connecting language to seek deeper understanding of patients’ concerns may add richness to clinical encounters and help them feel safe. 

October 1, 2018 | 2 min read

Listening to Build Trust

By Sophie Lanzkron, MD, MDH, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

When I'm helping a patient who's angry about an aspect of care, the most important thing I do is listen, just sit quietly and listen. Often patients just want to be heard. Listening and repeating back their concerns lets them know they've been heard.

October 12, 2023 | 1 min read

A Lesson Emphasized in Brazilian Medical Training

By Thiago Mendes, MD, University of Pittsburgh

In my medical training in Brazil, I learned to live by Theodore Roosevelt’s quotation, “Nobody cares how much you know until they know how much you care." 

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.

February 10, 2022 | 1 min read

How to Express Empathy With Humility

By Rebekah Fenton, MD, Northwestern University

To show we care, we can simply say something like, “I can’t imagine how hard this must be.”

August 14, 2018 | 2 min read

Have Guitar – Will Travel

By David Shih Wu, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Consider how you might use your creative gifts—and your imagination—to connect more deeply with your patients and bring them joy.

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.

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.  

September 13, 2018 | 2 min read

The Core of Compassionate Care

By Ayelet Kuper, MD, University of Toronto

When I have trouble bringing my focus back to the patient, I remind myself that this patient was once a baby that someone held as I have held my own babies.

October 2, 2023 | 4 min read

Exclamation Points And Exhalations

By Ajibike Lapite, MD, MPHTM, Texas Childrens Hospital

Even when lab results are normal, some patients may still have concerns. Take time to address their fears and worries.

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.

February 9, 2022 | 2 min read

How to Improve Clinician-Patient Connections, Part 4

By Christine Ko, MD, Yale University

My “fast” thoughts about a patient may not truly represent their experience. “Slow” thinking may give a more accurate picture.  

December 23, 2024 | 1 min read

Beyond the Grinch’s grump 

By Heather Agee, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Patients exhibiting "Grinch-like" behaviors may be masking underlying trauma and vulnerability. Try an empathetic "Cindy Lou" approach to foster trust and facilitate healing. 

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.

December 5, 2022 | 2 min read

The “List”

By Jeffrey Millstein, MD, Penn Medicine

Reviewing patients’ lists of concerns is an opportunity to build trust and partnership. It may also make visits more productive and satisfying for both patients and clinicians. 

June 21, 2021 | 2 min read

Seen But Not Heard

By Nick Sawyer, MD, MBA, University of California, Davis

Some patients sense that their stories aren’t appreciated. Taking the time to sit and listen to patients can build trust and begin to restore their faith in the healthcare system.

December 16, 2025 | 1 min read

Check box vs. check-in  

Medical visits today often involve care gap inquiries. The way we ask patients about them can help transform a rote task into a curious and satisfying conversation. 

September 28, 2023 | 1 min read

Out of Body 

By Jeffrey Millstein, MD, Penn Medicine

Even when clear and without excessive jargon, explanations of body processes can be confusing for some patients. Real world, non-medical analogies may be enlightening. 

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.

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.    

November 21, 2024 | 2 min read

Building bridges with patients through writing

By Roshni Beeharry, MBBS, University College London

Reflective journaling can be used to help us step into our patient’s shoes to understand their unique challenges. Consider experimenting with this and other forms of writing.

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.

November 15, 2022 | 1 min read

Will I lose my hair? (from the 2022 archives)

By Lauren Rissman, MD, Advocate Childrens Hospital

Talking with my young patient about his cancer, he shared being most afraid of going bald. I learned that it’s important to acknowledge and validate all worries, including those that are not life-threatening.

June 10, 2021 | 3 min read

Why Perfectionism May Weaken Your Relationships With Patients

By Maureen Flood, NP, Johns Hopkins Medicine

My perfectionist tendencies weakened my relationship with a patient. Being aware of and working to overcome this habit can be helpful for patients and take pressure off healthcare professionals.