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. 

December 14, 2020 | 2 min read

Lessons From a Zoom Thanksgiving Applied to Patient Care

By Ambereen Mehta, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Zoom made it possible for me to connect with many friends and family for Thanksgiving. Patient video visits that include family members from far away may enhance goals of care discussions.

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." 

April 3, 2019 | <1 min read

Dr. Lee Akst: A CLOSLER Look

By Gretchen Miller, Managing Editor

When meeting a new patient, Dr. Akst asks himself, "How can I educate and empower my patient to work with me as a team?"

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.

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.

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.  

April 26, 2018 | 1 min read

Forming True Partnerships In Care: Listen To Your Patient

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

Reflecting on caring for a 12-year-old with a complex neurological condition, I was humbled by the parents’ definition of clinically excellent patient care.

January 6, 2026 | 2 min read

The sacred art of care 

Let compassion guide your words and touch in every encounter. Kindness and empathy earn trust while facilitating patients’ healing. 

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.

April 26, 2019 | 2 min read

Building Authentic Rapport

By Leslie Ordal, MSc, CGC

Building rapport is about meeting patients where they are and showing that you’re putting their concerns first. Strong rapport transforms a clinical interaction into a human interaction, which is the heart of patient-partnered care.

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. 

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.

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. 

December 1, 2020 | 4 min read

When Patients Trust Only You

By Howard Chang, Medical Student, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Through empathic listening, all members of the healthcare team can build rapport with patients in their most vulnerable moments.

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. 

January 22, 2020 | 2 min read

How to Help Patients who Feel Angry

By Leslie Miller, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Asking your patient open-ended questions about how they're doing can lead to a much deeper conversation that not only illuminates the origin of their anger and suggests treatment strategies, but can also be therapeutic in itself.

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.

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.

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.

November 25, 2020 | 2 min read

Naming Chickens

By Claire Crawford, MSW, PhD, Texas Childrens

Incorporate laughter and joy where you can, giving yourself, your patients, and their families, moments of respite.

December 10, 2025 | 2 min read

Beyond the signature 

Informed consent includes a patient-centered conversation grounded in their goals, not just a list of risks. Ask what matters most and address any concerns that arise. 

September 26, 2023 | 2 min read

Talk Less, Listen More

By Aurora Grutman, medical student, Johns Hopkins Medicine

A conversation with a fentanyl overdose survivor taught me to listen with humble curiosity, and talk to patients thoughtfully with respect and sensitivity.

February 7, 2019 | 3 min read

8 Tips From a Psychiatric Emergency Nurse

By Andrea Strawther, RN, Johns Hopkins Medicine

We are all patients. The golden rule of treating others as you would like to be treated can help patients and healthcare providers build more trusting relationships.

February 7, 2022 | 2 min read

How to Improve Clinician-Patient Connections, Part 2

By Christine Ko, MD, Yale University

I almost always run late in clinic. By having a growth mindset, I’ve reframed this as an opportunity to improve.  

October 22, 2024 | 4 min read

Note to self: “Sit down and shut up” 

By William Ravekes, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Sitting down demonstrates presence and creates a sense of equality in the interaction. Together with active listening and avoiding interruptions, this fosters trust and rapport. 

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.

November 9, 2022 | 2 min read

Trust

By Joanne Shay, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

While caring for a four-year-old girl diagnosed with lymphoma, I learned that acknowledging and validating patient and family fears strengthens relationships.

November 18, 2020 | 1 min read

She’s Only 24

By Rakesh Patel, MD, University of Nottingham

Listening to patients’ fears and concerns builds understanding about the potential impact of disease on their long term goals. This may be especially important for younger patients.

March 1, 2018 | 2 min read

Individualized Medicine Calls Me Back to Patient Stories

By Tom Laskow, MD, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

New thinking mirrors old wisdom: to understand this manifestation of disease, understand this patient.

March 21, 2019 | 3 min read

Sitting with suffering

By Margaret "Molly" Hayes, MD, Harvard Medical School

Sometimes just our presence is all we can do to comfort a grieving family. It never feels like enough and it never will be, but it is something. Silence is powerful and doesn’t need to be filled with empty words. Sit with suffering and silence.

January 19, 2022 | 2 min read

Cognitive Psychology And Patient-Clinician Connections

By Christine Ko, MD, Yale University

To foster warmth toward patients, first be aware of how you’re feeling. If you're feeling burned out, you can intentionally practice cultivating a more caring attitude. 

October 9, 2024 | 2 min read

Softening the “SPIKES” 

When delivering challenging news, it is crucial to tailor the communication to the patient's preferences. Break down the message into small, spaced-out segments to allow for gradual processing. 

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.

November 2, 2022 | 2 min read

The Last Choice

By Ivy Akid, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Caring for a man dying of cancer reminded me to always guide patients toward decisions that best align with their goals of care. 

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.

September 7, 2023 | 2 min read

“That Guy”

By Maureen Flood, NP, Johns Hopkins Medicine

When caring for a patient that pushes my buttons, I remind myself that they were once an innocent baby who was loved by someone. 

January 9, 2019 | 1 min read

The Disease of Loneliness

By Shannon Scott-Vernaglia, MD, Mass General

In an environment pushing us ever faster, making the time to listen will often lead to better patient outcomes and greater clinician fulfillment.

January 10, 2022 | 2 min read

Being Present During The Dying Process

By Shireen Heidari, MD, Stanford University

It’s the job of all clinicians to guide patients and their loved ones through the experience of death. Offering support and being present can help them navigate the end of life. 

September 12, 2024 | 2 min read

Validating feelings 

I cared for a patient who had been rejected from a rehab facility because of her weight. I was reminded of the importance of acknowledging the patient’s emotions as part of the care plan. 

February 6, 2020 | 2 min read

Navigating Masculinity in Medicine

By Kultaj Kaleka, MD, RN, Central Michigan University

The clinically excellent physician understands that male patients may need support sharing their perspectives.

October 24, 2022 | 1 min read

Wayfinding

By Jeffrey Millstein, MD, Penn Medicine, William Cohen, medical student, Penn Medicine

When a clinical visit begins to feel like being lost at sea, a simple inquiry about what a patient would most like to accomplish during their visit may help guide the encounter. 

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.

September 6, 2023 | 3 min read

Getting Older in Medicine

By Joanne Shay, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Both of my knees need to be replaced—I already can’t wait to get back to playing pickleball. I now have renewed empathy in the OR and remind patients: “Recovery will take time. Try to be patient.” 

September 11, 2024 | 1 min read

Would you like to share a photo?  

By Jeffrey Millstein, MD, Penn Medicine

Asking patients to show photos of family, pets, or other meaningful things can help them feel more thoroughly known and cared for. This can sometimes make a visit more productive and meaningful for everyone.