September 12, 2022 | 2 min read

The Medical Interview And All That Jazz 

By Jeffrey Millstein, MD, Penn Medicine

Like learning to play jazz, medical interviewing skills can grow and develop through close observation and imitation of mentors. 

August 21, 2024 | 2 min read

Confessions of a non-flosser 

By Kyra Reu, medical student, University of Pennsylvania

When I told my dentist I didn’t floss regularly, it reminded me of a patient who shared she was not taking her medication as directed. Careful questioning of how the patient is actually taking their medication should be done before modifying the treatment. 

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. 

October 28, 2021 | 2 min read

Dropping my Pen

By Howard Chang, Medical Student, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Excellent clinicians implement colleagues’ feedback to improve their care of patients and offer guidance to support the growth of others. 

May 19, 2021 | 3 min read

Clinical Training Translating to Clinical Excellence

By Jennifer Spicer, MD, MPH, Emory University

Bias awareness achieved in teaching/learning can transfer to the clinic. Thus learners can help clinicians become aware of bias toward patients.

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.

January 16, 2025 | 2 min read

Talk to her 

By Uma Balachandran, medical student, Ichan School of Medicine at Mount Sinai

My blind aunt's encounter with a clinician highlighted the problem of ableism in medicine. Her experience is a reminder to always communicate directly with disabled patients and ask about their preference for identity-first or person-first language. 

March 20, 2025 | 3 min read

Falling up 

By Emily Ma, medical student, Johns Hopkins Medicine

The transition from pediatric to adult care poses significant challenges for patients with disabilities. Healthcare professionals can help by seeking to improve access and continuity of care. 

September 25, 2018 | 1 min read

Teaching Maintains Clinical Excellence

By Michael Crocetti, MD, MPH, Johns Hopkins Community Physicians

Engaging with learners keeps you dedicated to lifelong learning, and teaching helps to maintain clinical excellence and the joy of medicine.

May 12, 2021 | 2 min read

“To Comfort Always”

By Anna Berry, MS4, Baylor College of Medicine

When curing the disease is not possible, showing compassion for the patient is especially important.

March 23, 2021 | 2 min read

Helping Patients Navigate The Healthcare System

By Kultaj Kaleka, MD, RN, Central Michigan University

We all share in the responsibility of assisting patients who find themselves in unfamiliar healthcare settings and scenarios. By experiencing some of the challenges our patients face, we can help to make systemic changes that will improve 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?”

February 28, 2019 | 2 min read

From Film School to Medical School, (Part 2 of 3)

By Margaret Chisolm, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Using both words and images, John Berger and Jean Mohr's photo-essay, "A Fortunate Man," provides an intimate glimpse into the role of the doctor: "To cure sometimes, to relieve often, and to comfort always."

February 12, 2019 | 6 min read

The Balancing Act: Learning to Thrive in Multipatient Environments

By Alim Pardhan, MD, McMaster University, Ken Van Dewark, MD, University of British Columbia, Teresa Chan, MD, McMaster University

We must ensure junior doctors can give one patient excellent care before asking them to balance caring for more than one patient.

July 28, 2022 | 2 min read

Passing Tests And Failing my Family

By Emily Rodriguez, medical student, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Book knowledge about addiction offered me little to support my family members and others affected by this illness. To holistically serve, we need to take the time to connect and genuinely understand each person.

March 16, 2023 | 2 min read

Communication And Collegial Care

By Howard Chang, Medical Student, Johns Hopkins Medicine

We can be more effective communicators by understanding and appreciating the expertise of all members of the healthcare team. 

June 1, 2021 | 2 min read

The Lifelong Journey in Professional Identity Formation

By Margot Kelly-Hedrick, MD, University of Washington

We must work toward defining our identities throughout our careers as we strive to give excellent care to every patient.

October 12, 2022 | 1 min read

Equity and Inclusion: Beyond The Recognition Phase

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

Increasing the diversity of minority clinicians is a first step in combatting racism in medicine. We must also ensure that curricula are free of stereotypes and bias. 

January 16, 2019 | 8 min read

An Ode to the Herculean Heart

By Sam Kant, MD, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

"Heart: A History," elevates our appreciation of how our predecessors worked to better patient lives, as well as the psychosocial aspects of heart disease.

May 10, 2022 | 2 min read

Supporting Underrepresented Trainees

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

When witnessing racism, we must support those affected to foster an environment of safety and respect.

January 28, 2019 | 3 min read

Reflections on “Healing Alone”

By Helen Bradshaw, MD, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

In defense of the practice of pimping, though the term is a regrettable word choice, I learned from having questions directed at me. And my frequently incorrect responses were usually met with thoughtful explanations.

July 3, 2023 | 1 min read

Pronouns Matter

By Kevin Frick, PhD, Johns Hopkins Carey Business School

A reminder to try to use a person’s preferred pronouns. This can help people feel more welcome and comfortable.

May 9, 2018 | 2 min read

Applying the Coaching Model to Medical Education

By Ryan Graddy, MD, AbsoluteCARE Medical Center, Atlanta, Georgia

Coaching—direct observation of learners with feedback geared toward skills development—is an important way to teach individualized medical education. Outstanding coaches across disciplines share characteristics that can be applied in clinical coaching encounters.

March 11, 2025 | 4 min read

When sex isn’t binary 

Providing exceptional care to intersex patients requires us to shed the outdated idea of sex as a binary. Instead, we should normalize diversity in sex presentation and encourage families to unconditionally love, support, and listen to their loved one. 

June 4, 2020 | 2 min read

Breaking the Silence—How to be an Active Bystander

By Ashlyn McRae, Medical Student, Johns Hopkins Medicine, Lisa Cooper, MD, MPH, Johns Hopkins Medicine, Matthew Crane, Medical Student, Johns Hopkins Medicine, Rachel Thornton, MD, PhD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Everyone should speak up when witnessing unprofessional behavior. This supports learners, advances health equity, and improves patient outcomes.