July 9, 2024 | 3 min read

Takeaways from the book “Progress Notes” 

By Abraham Nussbaum, MD, Denver Health

Excellent clinicians understand patients not just as bodies, but also as individuals within a community. Healthcare professionals should be trained in both for a more holistic approach to patient care. 

July 6, 2018 | 1 min read

Music and Coffee

By Scott Wright, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

If you get the sense that one of your patients is isolated or alone, ask about their support network. If they have none, ask if they would like help in being connected to community resources.

October 20, 2021 | 3 min read

Rethinking the Routine in the Pursuit of Inclusion

Interprofessional team members bring a rich variety of perspectives about patients that can lead to better whole person care. Using first names among our team helps minimize power differentials.

October 7, 2021 | 1 min read

Wildfires and public health

By Panagis Galiatsatos, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Healthcare professionals must work with the community they serve, focusing on open dialogues and communication. This will help citizens deal with unforeseen challenges.

May 30, 2019 | 9 min read

Confessions of a Female Doctor who Questions Gender Equity Movements Like TIME’S UP Healthcare

By Kali Cyrus, MD, MPH, Johns Hopkins Medicine

We have to embrace humility and first accept that we have biases, prejudices, and privileges in certain contexts. We must then do the hard work of recognizing when our biases show up in interactions, examine our past experiences that contributed to the development of our biases, and acknowledge the hurt that may be caused by our biases to ourselves and others. If we truly want to stop harassment and create equity, we have to do this emotional work every day. And we should do it to stop harassment and create equity for not just women, but for everyone.

June 30, 2021 | 2 min read

Promoting Wellness Through Intergenerational Connections

By Susan Lehmann, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Bridging the generations can enhance emotional well-being for young and old. Encourage patients to reach out to older family members and neighbors!

January 6, 2020 | 2 min read

Book Review of “Sissy: A Coming of Gender Story”

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

Recognizing and validating the diversity of gender identities and expressions positively affects the health of our patients and our communities.

February 27, 2019 | 2 min read

The Need for Diversity

By Tyler Mains, MD, University of California, San Francisco

Our future healthcare workforce must be as diverse as the communities it serves.

July 11, 2024 | 2 min read

Protecting the most vulnerable from heat-related illnesses 

By Joanna Cohen, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

When caring for patients during heat waves, healthcare professionals should be aware of social determinants of health—like no air conditioning at home. Clinicians should know the available resources to recommend, such as cooling centers within the communities they serve. 

August 7, 2024 | 3 min read

“Far from the madding crowd” 

By Kittane "Vishnu" Vishnupriya, MBBS, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Every extra hour that a patient spends in the ER worsens mortality. Clinicians can make changes to address this problem, like reorganizing rounding to see potential discharge-ready patients first.

January 29, 2019 | 7 min read

“Good Doctoring”

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

Reflections from a medical student on the practice of medicine as captured in the novels "The Bad Doctor," by Ian Williams, and "A Fortunate Man," by John Berger & Jean Mohr.

December 21, 2021 | 4 min read

How to Make New Habits Stick, Part 2 

By Howard Chang, Medical Student, Johns Hopkins Medicine

We can build good habits in our own lives and help patients do the same by implementing the four laws of behavior change: make it obvious, make it attractive, make it easy, and make it satisfying. 

June 3, 2021 | 1 min read

Supporting Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Patients

By Frederick Chen, MD, MPH, University of Washington

When caring for AAPI patients during a time of heightened racial violence and discrimination, ask them if they feel safe, supported, and what you can do to help.

December 14, 2021 | 1 min read

Supporting Loved Ones of People With Addictions

By Angela Orozco, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

The impact of addiction extends beyond the individual. We can offer and introduce resources like Al-Anon to both patients and their loved ones. 

December 9, 2021 | 4 min read

3 Lessons From Coach Ted Lasso

By Claire Crawford, MSW, PhD, Texas Childrens , Jared Rubenstein, MD, Baylor College of Medicine, pediatric

Apple TV’s “Ted Lasso” shares a simple message—be kind. We can never truly know what it’s like to walk in another person’s shoes. Curiosity, instead of judgment, helps us give better patient care.

April 29, 2021 | 2 min read

Book Review of “Dopesick”

By Suchita Sata, MD, Duke University

Treatment for opioid use disorder is often inaccessible and unaffordable. Nevertheless, clinicians must connect patients to available services while advocating for improved systems of care.

December 7, 2021 | 3 min read

A Window Into a Patient’s World

By Deirdre Johnston, MBBCh, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Visiting a patient’s home environment, either virtually or in person, may shed light on the source of their distress.

June 20, 2023 | 1 min read

The Road Not Taken 

By Antonio Forte, LMSW, Johns Hopkins Medicine, Larkin Corrigan, LMSW, Johns Hopkins Medicine

If patients can’t manage on their own, clinicians and staff can help them use social support networks and other resources to find transportation to their appointments. Virtual visits can also be considered. 

November 7, 2018 | 3 min read

How to Reduce Caregiver Burden

By Jessica Colburn, MD, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

Healthcare providers have the ability to provide support, connection, and resources that can help to reduce caregiver burden and increase caregiver joy.

August 31, 2022 | 2 min read

Reducing overdose risk for minority patients 

By Brendan Saloner, PhD, Johns Hopkins Medicine, Omeid Heidari, PhD, NP, MPH, Johns Hopkins Medicine

When caring for patients with opioid and other substance use disorders, focus on using tools such as evidence-based medications, naloxone, and fentanyl test strips. 

July 14, 2022 | 2 min read

How to Talk to Children About Gun Violence

By Carol Vidal, MD, PhD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Give children time and space to talk about their worries and listen closely. Remember, it’s always best for children to first hear the news from a trusted adult.

October 2, 2018 | 3 min read

Reducing Resident Burnout

By Sanjay Desai, MD, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

We need to understand and address the causes of resident burnout, not just the symptoms. Interventions to reduce resident burnout will increase the meaning we find in our profession, and include teaching effective teamwork, and learning the patient as a person.

July 11, 2019 | 7 min read

June Art Museum Challenge

By Flora Smyth Zahra, MA Clin Ed, DRestDent RCS, FHEA, Kings College London, Margaret Chisolm, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Art captures both the ordinary and extraordinary moments of human lives throughout history, and offers insights into how to heal ourselves and one another.

October 6, 2021 | 2 min read

Helping Survivors of Intimate Partner Violence During COVID

By Jennifer Knetig, PhD, VA Northeast Ohio Healthcare, Kelly Buckholdt, PhD, Veterans Health Administration, Taylor Ceroni, PhD, Southeast Louisiana Veterans Health

Intimate partner violence has increased during the pandemic. Clinicians must ask patients about their safety and know where to refer.

April 11, 2023 | 2 min read

“Can I hold my newborn baby?”

By Carolyn Sufrin, MD, PhD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Giving birth while imprisoned usually occurs under inhumane conditions, with women remaining shackled and not being permitted to hold newborns. This is a reminder that every patient deserves our compassionate and nonjudgmental care. 

May 9, 2022 | 2 min read

Talking With Patients About Their Online Research

By Rebekah Fenton, MD, Northwestern University

Patients’ online research may leave them wondering if they have a particular disease. Listen to their concerns, normalize their fears, and provide reputable resources. And remember, sometimes they’re right.  

April 2, 2020 | 4 min read

Staying Connected Inside and Out During the Pandemic

By David Kopacz, MD, University of Washington

Finding creative ways to connect to ourselves and to others is more important than ever in these days of social distancing.

January 27, 2021 | 2 min read

Gin And Tonic—Cultural Footprints of Disease

By Kittane "Vishnu" Vishnupriya, MBBS, Johns Hopkins Medicine

To mitigate incorrect assumptions about patients who have been infected with COVID-19, we must work to spread truths and to minimize inaccuracies—particularly those that may be shameful or demeaning.

November 6, 2024 | 2 min read

Artful healing

By Sujal Manohar, medical student, Baylor College of Medicine

When I was working in an epilepsy center, I learned the value of understanding the patient’s lived experience. Art and storytelling can provide a unique window into patient concerns and dreams.