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C L O S L E R
Moving Us Closer To Osler
A Miller Coulson Academy of Clinical Excellence Initiative
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Creative Arts in Medicine
Connecting with Patients
Passion in the Medical Profession
Lifelong Learning in Clinical Excellence
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May 13, 2020 | 2 min read

Flattening the Inaccessibility Curve

By Bonnielin Swenor, PhD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

There's been limited attention addressing the disability perspective during the pandemic. Finding creative solutions to accessibility challenges during this time is critical.

April 4, 2022 | 4 min read

Lessons From Puppies About Life And Medicine

By Ankita Sagar, MD, Brooklyn, New York

Adopting a pandemic puppy has reminded me of the value of play, curiosity, listening, perseverance, and vulnerability. This helps me be a better human and give better patient care. 

February 23, 2021 | 3 min read

Tips For Giving Medical Updates to Families

By Joshua Budhu, MD, Mass General

A physician’s disappointment in hearing surprises about his loved one’s condition sparked new insights on the value of regularly updating families about the patient.

February 11, 2025 | 6 min read

“The Tao of Medicine” 

By David Kopacz, MD, University of Washington

The clinician's mindful presence and understanding of the patient's full humanity are as crucial to healing as technical skill. Let go of using language to define your experience; instead focus on the wisdom that can be found in the empty spaces between thoughts. 

April 8, 2022 | 1 min read

“Better”

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

Using precise language can help us partner with patients in hoping for the best, without causing confusion. 

March 23, 2022 | <1 min read

Keeping The Readers in Mind

By Vivian Altiery De Jesus, MD, MBE, Johns Hopkins Medicine

When documenting in the medical record, we must use respectful language. Both our patients and colleagues will appreciate and benefit from our thoughtfulness. 

Employers must cultivate a nurturing culture that supports the emotional and physical needs of their employees.

February 9, 2021 | 3 min read

How to Support Patients With Chronic Pain and Substance Use Disorder

By Juliette Perzhinsky, MD, MSc, Central Michigan University

All patients must be treated with empathy. Those suffering with chronic pain and addiction may be especially deserving of compassion.

August 2, 2023 | 2 min read

The Art of Communication

By Jennifer Katzenstein, PhD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Often, concise notes to patients or colleagues can suffice. Other times, a conversation —either virtual or in-person—is much better.

January 26, 2021 | 2 min read

How to Talk With Patients About Misinformation

By Stephanie McGann Jantzen, Strategic & Crisis Communications Professional

Educating yourself about misinformation circulating on social media will help you talk with your patients about false claims. This may prevent dangerous behaviors and promote health.

March 27, 2023 | 10 min read

Ever forward: caring for patients who are transgender and gender-expansive

By Paula Neira, JD, MSN, RN, CEN, FAAN, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Treat all patients with dignity and respect and ask how they’d like to be addressed. 

March 21, 2023 | 1 min read

Co-Reader

By Randy Barker, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine, retired

When we, or someone close to us, have a disease that we see in our patients, it’s an opportunity to more deeply understand the illness experience.  

July 9, 2019 | 5 min read

Pain, Opioids, and the Constant Shadow of Stigma

By Travis Rieder, PhD, Johns Hopkins Berman Institute of Bioethics

When a patient reports pain, their words need to be met with listening, compassion, and a discussion of how best to address the pain.

"Studies of the Fetus in the Womb," Leonardo da Vinci, c. 1511, Royal Collection of the British Royal Family, United Kingdom, public domain.

June 18, 2019 | 5 min read

Stepping Away From Stories

By Nadia Jajja, MBBS

Journalism and medicine have both taught me the privilege of having a voice and knowing when to use it.

"Chrysantheme und Biene." Hokusai, K. (ca. 1832). Public domain, Wikimedia.

September 22, 2021 | 8 min read

The Role of Visual Thinking Strategies Coaching in Clinical Excellence

By Margaret Chisolm, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Take an appreciative approach when giving feedback to learners. It will not only build clinical skills, but will also foster a healthy community of learning and practice.

“Imagine your baby’s lungs are a tree,” she said. “A pleural effusion would be a puddle around the tree while pulmonary edema is water on the leaves.” The mother seemed to follow along, nodding her head. I was grateful to hear this metaphor that inspired me to utilize pictorial representations more.

August 19, 2021 | 2 min read

The Power of Pictures

By Rebekah Fenton, MD, Northwestern University

When educating patients about their illness, it’s often helpful to include pictures and visual descriptions to improve understanding.

August 26, 2021 | 1 min read

Destigmatizing Addiction: The Power of Words

By Namrata Walia, MD, Baylor College of Medicine

Please use the term 'person with substance use disorder’ instead of ‘addict’!

October 13, 2020 | 3 min read

Attending to the Story

By Mollie Marr (she/her), MD/PhD student, Oregon Health & Science University

It’s important to approach each patient with a fresh perspective. While prior diagnoses should be considered, anchoring to them introduces bias that may cloud your vision.

June 5, 2024 | 2 min read

Near death

By Aurora Grutman, medical student, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Overcoming anxiety about the end of life allows one to explore concerns with empathy and openness. A willingness to learn about patients’ spiritual beliefs can help clinicians provide compassionate and holistic care.

August 24, 2021 | 2 min read

5 Lessons From my Nonlinear Career in Medicine

By Thelben Mullett, MD, Seattle, Washington

Instead of asking medical students what specialty they intend to pursue, we should help them reflect on their natural strengths and values in planning their career.

April 30, 2019 | 5 min read

A Response to “The 5A’s of Firearm Safety Counseling”

By David Madder, DO, Johns Hopkins Medicine

I counsel ALL patients about gun safety, instead of ASKING every patient if they have guns in their home.

October 27, 2022 | 2 min read

Connections Accelerated

By Jamie Schwartz, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Some clinical encounters require establishing a patient-doctor connection quickly. Providing emotional support may improve your ability to create trusting relationships. 

September 2, 2020 | 4 min read

A Call for Advocacy in Medicine

By Sara Wallam, Medical Student, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Systemic racism is prevalent throughout our society. To dismantle disparities in health outcomes for minority patients, clinicians must advocate for their patients at the local level and for communities on a regional and national scale.

March 14, 2019 | 4 min read

How to Help Your Patient Understand Genetic Testing Results

By Leslie Ordal, MSc, CGC

To help your patient with their direct-to-consumer genetic testing results, use skills that apply for any sensitive clinical encounter: listen, acknowledge, and reassure of your presence in the process. Then connect your patient with a genetic counsellor for follow-up as needed.

June 25, 2018 | 2 min read

The Mission of a Clinician-Educator

By Leah Wolfe, MD, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

As a clinician-educator, my mission is to help train and inspire a new generation of internists who are passionate about patient care, are outstanding clinicians, and can provide the leadership needed to change our existing healthcare system into one that better serves the needs of individuals and society.

August 26, 2020 | 6 min read

How to Discuss Minority Stress With Patients

By Chase Anderson, MD, University of California San Francisco

If your patient identifies as part of a minority group, it could be helpful to ask if they’ve experienced stress because of this. Doing so may allow you to better understand your patient’s story.

October 11, 2022 | 6 min read

Learning About Your Patients And Their Communities

By Hailey Haffey, PhD, University of Utah

Receiving patient and community stories with thoughtful attention can help serve the aims of equity in healthcare. 

August 5, 2020 | 2 min read

Discomfort as Your Internal Compass

By Preetha Hebbar, MPH, medical student, Medical University of South Carolina

There are situations that can make us feel uncomfortable when caring for patients. Acknowledging these feelings may result in deeper and more meaningful relationships with patients.

July 27, 2021 | 3 min read

Lessons From My Experience as a Grandpa And Clinician

By Ivor Berkowitz, MBBCh, MBA, Johns Hopkins Medicine

My experience of feeling helpless through my grandchild’s illness reminded me that kindness, empathy, and honesty are central to giving clinically excellent care.

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.

October 10, 2022 | 3 min read

“What Else?”

By Matthew McEvoy, MD, Houston, Texas

Asking these simple two words and showing genuine concern can bring out a richer story and promote healing. 

July 29, 2020 | 2 min read

Jumping Into Redeployment

By Richard Schaefer, MD, MPH, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Caring for very sick patients during the pandemic can help you to reconnect with the meaning and purpose of medicine. Sign up to serve if the opportunity presents itself.

April 29, 2024 | 3 min read

A patient’s reflection on connecting with clinicians—what matters most 

By Jennifer Ball, BSJ, MA, Chicago, IL

Empathy and cultural competence are cornerstones of excellent patient care. Prioritizing these values can help each patient feel respected, empowered, and supported. 

June 22, 2021 | 1 min read

How You Can Take Action Beyond Pride Month

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

To improve the health and well-being of LGBTQI+ patients, we must commit to being lifelong learners and teachers in this continually evolving space.

January 22, 2019 | 4 min read

The 5A’s of Firearm Safety Counseling

By Cassandra Crifasi, PhD, MPH, Katherine Hoops, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Clinicians must counsel their patients about the dangers of firearms. If they decide to be gun owners, advise how to store them safely.

September 29, 2022 | 2 min read

Documenting humanity (archives, 2022)

By Jane Abernethy, MD, MBE, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Clinicians are in a powerful position to advocate for undocumented people, who are among the most vulnerable patients. By acknowledging the courage of this population, we can affirm their strength and resilience.

"Imperial Purple," by Spencer Finch. Photo copyright with the authors.

July 20, 2020 | 6 min read

Art and Connection During COVID-19

By Kamna Balhara, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine, Sarah Clever, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

In a time of physical distancing, stepping out of our comfort zone to find creative and unconventional ways to connect with patients and colleagues can bring us together.

March 14, 2024 | 3 min read

Why sexual orientation and gender identity in the EMR matters 

By Tyler Cornell, MSN/MPH, CRNP (she/her), Johns Hopkins Medicine  

Always ask patients about their gender identity, preferred name, pronouns, and how they define their sexual orientation. This builds trust and helps your patients feel safe to return for follow-up. 

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.

September 19, 2022 | 1 min read

What I’ve Learned as an ESL Physician

By Ming-Hsien Wang, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Growing up with non-English speaking parents, I know first-hand the challenges that these patients face. Being able to communicate is imperative for connecting and creating effective treatment plans. 

February 26, 2024 | 2 min read

The art of medicine: lessons from shadowing 

By Aurora Grutman, medical student, Johns Hopkins Medicine

In one morning of shadowing, I learned the importance of conveying engagement with patients through both words and body language. 

March 18, 2019 | 2 min read

The Truth About Sex

By Khalil Ghanem, MD, PhD, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

How you phrase questions when obtaining a sexual history can mitigate the impact of social desirability bias and enhance the accuracy of the information that is obtained.

September 13, 2022 | 2 min read

Psychedelics and Health

By Mary Yaden, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Psychedelic therapies have long been feared and avoided. We must acknowledge that there are clinical indications where these treatments are profoundly beneficial.   

July 1, 2020 | 3 min read

How to Support Immigrant Communities During the Pandemic

By Amelie Meltzer, Medical Student, University of Pittsburgh, Reuben Mathew, MPH, Medical Student, St. George University, Zackary Berger, MD, PhD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

All people, including immigrants in the U.S., need comprehensive care at this time. Clinicians should be aware of the resources to help immigrant patients obtain medication, food, housing, and mental health support.

January 9, 2024 | 3 min read

Dust and distrust

By Matthew Kelly, PhD, MPH, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Infection-related epidemics, like AIDS and COVID, teach us much about caring. To provide humanistic care, clinicians must continuously endeavor to assess and build trust with patients. 

July 22, 2020 | 4 min read

Virtue Ethics

By Awais Aftab, MD, Case Western Reserve University

Virtue ethics emphasizes the importance of self-knowledge and can help us to understand our patients in the context of the totality of their whole lives.

December 12, 2023 | 2 min read

“CARE”

By Kelly Buckholdt, PhD, Veterans Health Administration, William Laurento II, MEdL

There’s no more dramatic way to understand patient-centered care than being a patient. 

May 3, 2021 | 6 min read

Why we Must Learn About Our Patients’ Communities

By Daniel Thomas, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Make time to learn about and invest in the community you serve to deepen your connection with patients.

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.    

December 11, 2023 | 3 min read

A jagged landscape  

By Jen Nixon, PhD, Cone Health, North Carolina, Kardie Tobb, DO, MS, Cone Health, North Carolina

Navigating the pathway to finding help for patients lacking resources can be challenging. It may be helpful to first focus on listening to and understanding patient barriers to care.

April 20, 2021 | 3 min read

Listening to Every Patient

By Pringl Miller, MD, San Francisco, California

To give clinically excellent care to the patient in front of you, ask yourself: “Am I carefully listening to what the patient is telling me? Am I incorporating what I’ve heard into the care plan?”

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