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.

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 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.

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. 

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 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. 

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.

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 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?"

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. 

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.

July 25, 2022 | 2 min read

Think Positive!

By Joan Naidorf, DO

Reframing negative thoughts about my inebriated patient would have helped me to care for him with more compassion.    

July 1, 2025 | 3 min read

Dancing back to himself 

Caring for patients with delirium requires coordinated medical management—like early mobilization, minimizing sedation, and consistent re-orientation. Integrating familiar activities, like listening to music, may aid their recovery. 

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.

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. 

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 28, 2024 | 1 min read

Socks and ties (archives, 2024)

By Richard Schaefer, MD, MPH, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Something as simple as wearing a unique article of clothing, like colorful socks, can help build connections with patients. 

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.

July 13, 2022 | 2 min read

“Sorry About That Football Game!”

By Richard Schaefer, MD, MPH, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Talking about sports with patients and colleagues is one fun way to build interpersonal connections. 

February 26, 2018 | 3 min read

Creating a welcoming experience for LGBTQ patients and families

By Carl G. Streed Jr., MD, MPH, Boston Medical Center

Doing what has been done before will only lead to more of the same for patients who have been discriminated against in society and in healthcare. Be prepared to enter uncharted territory, seek to educate yourself about the unique healthcare needs of your patients.

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.

April 5, 2023 | 2 min read

Big “S” And Not Much “OAP” 

By Emily Rodriguez, medical student, Johns Hopkins Medicine

I could offer no medicine, but I was able to give my patient the best treatment possible just by listening and validating.  

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.

August 10, 2021 | 2 min read

Cancer, Combat, And Patient-Centered Care

By Richard Schaefer, MD, MPH, Johns Hopkins Medicine

While caring for a pregnant soldier diagnosed with cancer, I was reminded that learning patients’ stories is vital. Doing so facilitates patient-centered care and meaningful relationships.

February 27, 2024 | 1 min read

Anybody but the Chiefs

By Benjamin Vipler, MD, MEd, University of Colorado

Was Osler a sports fan? I don’t know, but I do know that connecting over a shared love of sports has helped me be “closler” to my patients. Maybe it can for you too! 

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.

June 11, 2025 | 1 min read

What questions do you have?  

New medical information can be hard for patients to process, especially if it is bad news. Taking time to assess the impact of newly delivered information is an important step in clinical conversations. 

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.

April 3, 2023 | 5 min read

“Get Well Soon”

By Aidan Crowley, Medical Student, University of Pennsylvania

In the extra minutes I spent getting to know my patient, she shared a secret that allowed me to help her follow care recommendations.  

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.

August 3, 2021 | 1 min read

Patient-Family Conflict

By Avani Prabhakar, MBBS, MPH, Johns Hopkins Medicine

When your patient and their family disagree about medical decisions or goals of care, remember that your primary responsibility is to the patient. Skillful facilitation of family meetings may be necessary, and allowing each person to voice their concerns may be helpful.

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.

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.” 

June 4, 2025 | 3 min read

Letting the tea leaves breathe 

Kind gestures, like bringing a patient a cup of tea, may help bridge the gap between suffering and solace. Such thoughtfulness can offer comfort as powerful as any medication. 

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.

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.    

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.

July 14, 2021 | 1 min read

How to Respond to Off-putting Comments from Patients

By Elizabeth Steuber, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Sometimes comments from patients are rooted in their own unmet fears or needs. Instead of reacting to your own discomfort in the face of such comments, remaining curious and asking open-ended questions may help you understand what’s behind such unpleasant remarks.

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. 

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.

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. 

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. 

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.

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.  

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.