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.     

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.

March 7, 2022 | 3 min read

How to Help Patients Navigate Complex Medication Regimens

By Howard Chang, Medical Student, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Open-ended questions can help clinicians better understand the challenges faced by patients on complex medication regimens.   

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.  

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 21, 2022 | 3 min read

The Angry Daughter

By Bill Bachman, MD, Albany Medical College

When working with patients or loved ones who are confrontational, recognize your own feelings, try to understand theirs, and know when to ask for help from colleagues. 

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.

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.

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 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.  

April 7, 2021 | 3 min read

Humility

By Steve Bierman, MD, Del Mar, California

In medicine, all too often the optimal approach for diagnosis or therapy is not entirely clear. Acknowledging uncertainty with your patient is a sign of a humility that can strengthen the connection.

June 28, 2023 | 3 min read

Dad’s End-of-Life Lessons

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

As my father was dying, it became clear that he had many misconceptions. This reminded me of how important it is to explore each patient’s understanding of palliative care and hospice.

November 3, 2021 | 2 min read

Diagnosing And Treating Pain

By Rebekah Fenton, MD, Northwestern University

Always listen to your patients and make sure that they understand that you believe their experience of pain.

October 29, 2025 | 2 min read

The long way home 

As my patient’s symptoms eased, our conversations evolved from medical check-ins to life planning. Including patient-defined milestones—like “safe to fly”—in the treatment plan makes healthcare more meaningful for both patients and clinicians. 

September 24, 2020 | 2 min read

Using Non-judgmental Language

By Nat Mulkey (they/them), Medical Student, Boston University Medicine

In order to minimize bias, it’s critical to use non-judgmental language when describing patients, both orally and in the medical record.

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. 

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 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 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.

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.

December 3, 2020 | 4 min read

The Other Side of the Glass

By Michelle Sharp, MD, MSH, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Having a loved one in the ICU is one of the hardest things someone can experience. Timely and compassionate communication from clinicians to families is invaluable.

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. 

April 19, 2021 | 2 min read

Let Your Patient Dream

By Zeina Moukarzel, MD, MPH, Beirut, Lebanon

From my young patient about to have all of her limbs amputated, I learned about compassion and courage.

October 21, 2020 | 3 min read

Show Me

By Jared Rubenstein, MD, Baylor College of Medicine

Asking patients to share photos and videos can give clinicians a deeper understanding of their lives. This may allow us to give better person-centered care.

November 18, 2021 | 3 min read

Adequate Bandwith

By Jennifer Eitingon, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Recently, a patient dying of cancer requested CPR despite many clinicians advising against it. When it feels challenging to understand a patient’s decision, I remind myself to consider the situation from a different perspective.

January 14, 2020 | 3 min read

A Relationship Between Equals

By Madeline Rodriguez, MD, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

The clinically excellent practice is centered on core humanistic values rather than on efficiency or productivity.

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. 

October 30, 2019 | 13 min read

Partnering With Parents—An Appraisal of Familial Feelings

By Monique Webber

The clinically excellent clinician understands that each family responds to and copes with chronic illness or disability differently. Being open-minded when partnering with families, and especially parents, is critical for ensuring a trusting relationship and providing support.

July 21, 2025 | 5 min read

Listening past the barriers 

When caring for veterans in civilian healthcare settings, recognize that stoicism, brief answers, or emotional distance often reflect military culture—not disengagement. Building trust starts with patience and listening, opening the door to better understanding and care. 

March 22, 2021 | 2 min read

Why I Care About The Costumes in “Little Women”

By Leslie Miller, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

We can build deeper relationships with our patients by talking with them about their passions—from Broadway to zinnias.

December 17, 2024 | 5 min read

The portal paradox   

By Megan Gerber, MD, MPH, Albany Medical College

Communicating with patients electronically presents both benefits and challenges. I’ve cherished when patients have shared creative works with me—both in person and via the portal—although I recognize this may add to my message count. 

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.

November 10, 2021 | 5 min read

Reading Between The Lines

We don’t always say what we’re thinking, particularly in difficult conversations. Sharing and exploring unspoken thoughts can lead to stronger connections with our patients and better care.