March 28, 2023 | 2 min read

A Prevention Partnership

By Eliana Perrin, MD, MPH, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Obesity is a complex disease that can be hard to treat. Promoting healthy lifestyles while preserving and honoring cultural and family traditions can start with newborns.    

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.

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.

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

January 24, 2024 | 2 min read

Grief in the season of joy 

By Eric Last, DO, Northwell Health, Wantagh, New York

After the holidays, I think back on patients who passed in December, an especially hard time to lose a loved one. At this time of year, I make an extra effort to help loved ones process their feelings. 

June 8, 2022 | 1 min read

I Wonder…

By Jeffrey Millstein, MD, Penn Medicine

“I wonder . . .” is a phrase that triggers curiosity and empathy. It can help us support patients instead of labeling them as “difficult.” 

May 1, 2025 | 2 min read

Avoiding medical gaslighting 

Actively listen to and validate patients' experiences, recognizing their unique knowledge of themselves. Providing thoughtful support can earn patients' trust and help them feel better about their circumstances. 

March 23, 2023 | 2 min read

5 questions I ask every patient (archives 2023)

By Lillie Shockney, RN, MS, Johns Hopkins Medicine

I talk with patients who have metastatic breast cancer about their hopes and worries at every visit. This allows me to give better, whole-person care.  

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.

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.

June 24, 2021 | 2 min read

How to Emotionally Support Patients Through Challenging Moments

By Rebekah Fenton, MD, Northwestern University

When I was a med student, I tried to “fix” how my patient was feeling. I learned that many patients need time to sit with their feelings and that listening empathically can be the best approach.

January 18, 2024 | 1 min read

“Please pray for me” 

By Youngjee Choi, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

When my longtime patient with chronic illness asked me to pray for her, I told her I would.  Whether prayer is something one can offer, responding to emotional and spiritual requests can be an important part of care. 

June 2, 2022 | 2 min read

‘68 Chevy Camaro

By Jennifer Eitingon, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

If we limit the way we view our patients, we will miss out on what makes them who they are. By taking time to learn more about them as people, we can connect and offer better care. 

March 15, 2023 | 1 min read

Einstein’s Relativity And Patient Care

By Steve Kravet, MD, MBA, Johns Hopkins Community Physicians

Conversations about the passing of time can stimulate meaningful reflections during patient visits.  

April 18, 2019 | 1 min read

Patients Are Partners, Not Consumers

By Hala Durrah, MTA, Patient Family Engagement Advocate & Consultant, Washington, DC

My hope is that physicians, patients, and families, consider each other as partners, with mutual respect, trust, compassion, understanding, and empathy guiding and facilitating interactions and relationships.

March 28, 2018 | 2 min read

The Physician-Citizen—Making Health Accessible to All

Part I of II: Why being “bedside” in our patients’ communities matters.

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.

January 16, 2024 | 2 min read

“Too maternal”

By Kimberlee Parker, DO, MPH, Baylor College of Medicine

Being a mother has helped me to be a better doctor. Both roles require empathy, which I express toward my children and patients.  

May 12, 2022 | 2 min read

The “Uninterested” Mom Who Wept

By Precious Ndukwe, MD, Howard University

When caring for an overweight infant as a medical student, I wrongly assumed the mother was overfeeding the baby. This experience will remind me in the future to leave my suppositions at the door. 

April 29, 2025 | 2 min read

Soul gym

Our culture frequently celebrates physical strength. In healthcare, the power of emotional fortitude is regularly called upon when encountering patients’ frustration or anger. 

March 14, 2023 | 2 min read

Laughter is The Best Medicine

By Marion McCrary, MD, Duke Health

A smile, a touch, eye contact, and a jovial laugh can be a lifeline for patients in a stressful situation. 

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.

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.

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.

January 3, 2024 | 4 min read

Make a good stack

By Kyle Glienke, MD, Buena Vista Regional Medical Center, Iowa

Like baling hay, connecting with patients on a personal level requires intentionality and consistency.

April 27, 2022 | 2 min read

Listening to Your Patient’s Grief

By Avani Prabhakar, MBBS, MPH, Johns Hopkins Medicine

By listening to a patient’s story of loss, we bear witness and affirm their experience. 

April 16, 2025 | 1 min read

Shared decision making 2.0

We need a new shared decision-making paradigm where all possibilities for care are out on the table, including unconventional ones. A clinician’s humility and openness are especially important now that patients are more emboldened to question the opinions of experts.

March 2, 2023 | 2 min read

Meaningful Chords

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

When my patient’s wife brought his guitar to the hospital, I realized it’s impossible to overestimate the impact of reuniting patients with what matters most to them. Do what you can to make this happen. 

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?"

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.

June 9, 2021 | 2 min read

How to Support Patients When Transitioning Back to “Normal”

As we move through phases of the pandemic, understanding patients’ goals and asking about their worries is paramount.

December 18, 2023 | 1 min read

The healing power of story

By Shwetha Mudalegundi, medical student, Johns Hopkins Medicine

I used a narrative medicine technique when caring for a patient who mistrusted the healthcare system. By writing his story and reading it back to him, he understood that the care team was truly listening. 

April 14, 2022 | 1 min read

“Don’t Worry”

By Jeffrey Millstein, MD, Penn Medicine

General reassurances are often ineffective when they don’t address patients’ true concerns.

April 7, 2025 | 2 min read

The connective cure 

By Allison Pugh, PhD, Johns Hopkins Univeristy

The art of genuine human interaction is a vital clinical skill that no algorithm can replicate. This building of connection can foster trust, enable healing, and facilitate holistic care. 

February 15, 2023 | 2 min read

Speaking from my heart

By Leslie Miller, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

When deeply worried about the mental health of patients, make sure they feel heard, validated, and empowered.  

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.

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.

May 26, 2021 | 1 min read

Talking with those opposed to vaccines (archives, 2021)

When speaking with people who respond to scientific information in a challenging manner, the most critical thing to remember is to stay calm. Refrain from simply "talking over" those with whom you're in conversation.

December 6, 2023 | 1 min read

Reality bites 

By Carolina Saldanha, MD, Massachusetts General Brigham Salem Hospital 

I constructed what I thought was a great care plan for my patient with diabetes. I later learned that he wasn’t allowed lunch breaks and had nowhere to store his insulin. I now ask the patient about their daily routine to create a realistic plan. 

April 14, 2022 | 1 min read

Supporting Young Adults Who Use E-Cigarettes

When talking with young patients about tobacco dependence, first create a judgment-free zone and ask open-ended questions to understand why they use the product. 

March 13, 2025 | 1 min read

Wearing many hats 

By Jessica Park, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Sharing parts of your identity, for example being a parent, may help you to connect with patients on a deeper level. Shared humanity can create a deeper relationship, which is essential for trust and service. 

February 1, 2023 | 1 min read

Patience With Patients

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

Consider the challenges you experience when trying to make changes in your daily habits. Remember to praise your patient’s progress no matter how small. 

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 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.

May 20, 2021 | 2 min read

Alleviating Your Patients’ Worries

By April Sharp, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

During hospitalizations, patients and families have lots of time to worry. Asking about the concerns and empathizing may be especially helpful.

November 27, 2023 | 2 min read

When the truth (literally) hurts

By Eric Last, DO, Northwell Health, Wantagh, New York

When our patients are facing surgery or other procedures, thoughtful questions can help allay their worries.  

April 5, 2022 | 1 min read

Playing “Out of Book”

By Jeffrey Millstein, MD, Penn Medicine

Unexpected statements from patients can force clinicians to improvise. As in chess, it helps to view these as challenges with potential rewards.   

March 3, 2025 | 2 min read

The power of small gestures

Actions speak louder than words. Small gestures like listening closely to patients, getting tissues, adjusting the lights, and helping them get comfortable in bed is part of giving holistic care.

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. 

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.