January 24, 2023 | 2 min read

Blueberry Bushes

By Marcus Maier, PA, University of Wisconsin-Madison

A patient’s main concern is sometimes not medical. It can be helpful to ask, “Is there anything we didn’t cover that you’d like to talk about?”  

September 17, 2020 | 3 min read

5 Tips for Talking About Autopsy Results With Your Patient’s Family

By J. Stephen Nix, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Managing loved ones’ expectations before the autopsy is critical. Ensuring there's ample time to privately review and explain the results can help bring meaning and closure to their loss.

March 5, 2020 | 3 min read

How to Talk About Miracles

By Jonathan Yeh, MD, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

Excellent clinicians can learn and practice techniques to boost the power of hope, and to incorporate the wish for a miracle into a more realistic care plan.

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.

August 27, 2019 | 3 min read

Letting the Laughter In

By Michelle Gyenes, MS, Columbia Mailman School of Public Health

Excellent clinicians know that laughter can be a powerful tool in enhancing communication and building trust, particularly when working with older patients.

June 21, 2021 | 2 min read

Seen But Not Heard

By Nick Sawyer, MD, MBA, University of California, Davis

Some patients sense that their stories aren’t appreciated. Taking the time to sit and listen to patients can build trust and begin to restore their faith in the healthcare system.

June 10, 2021 | 3 min read

Why Perfectionism May Weaken Your Relationships With Patients

By Maureen Flood, NP, Johns Hopkins Medicine

My perfectionist tendencies weakened my relationship with a patient. Being aware of and working to overcome this habit can be helpful for patients and take pressure off healthcare professionals.

October 8, 2024 | 4 min read

Trust is a must

By Samuel Durso, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Patient trust is built through eye contact, active listening, and conveying empathy. These actions demonstrate caring and respect which may promote positive health experiences. 

October 3, 2019 | 4 min read

The Fault in our EHRs

By Jeffrey Millstein, MD, Penn Medicine

The clinically excellent clinician makes an effort to know each patient’s unique story, moving beyond the confines of the content within the EHR.

September 6, 2022 | 3 min read

Photographs at The Bedside

By Charlotte Grinberg, MD, Tufts Medicine Care at Home

Asking to see videos and memorabilia from a patient’s past may help us connect with each person in a more personal and complete way. 

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. 

May 18, 2022 | 3 min read

A Matter of Interpretation

By Kathleen Page, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Practice, preparation, and intentionality are essential to mastering medical skills, including how to communicate effectively with an interpreter. 

August 20, 2020 | 2 min read

2 Minutes of Presence

By Zara Latif, MD, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center

When talking with your patient, dedicate at least two minutes to pure listening. During that time, try to not think about the next question you want to ask and just hear your patient’s perspective.

August 19, 2019 | 6 min read

Holding Hope

By Jennifer Goetz, MD, Massachusetts General Hospital and McLean Hospital

By highlighting the strength and courage of our patients, we can sustain hope for our patients and their families.

February 28, 2023 | 1 min read

Mitigating social isolation

By Mfon Umoh, MD, PhD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

All medical specialties need to screen for isolation. Asking patients who their social supports are and who they feel close to is a good starting point.  

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.

January 13, 2020 | 4 min read

You are my Sunshine

By Lingsheng Li, MD, MHS, University of California, San Franscisco

The clinically excellent clinician understands that what we say and do may matter more than what we know.

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 2, 2021 | 2 min read

Patient-Centeredness in The Hospital

By Patrick McMurray, RN, North Carolina

One way to demonstrate patient-centered care is creating spaces in which patients feel less vulnerable. A space that is safe, calm, and private is ideal for healing.

July 16, 2019 | 3 min read

3 Lessons in Hospitality From my Patient

By Loveleena Virk, MD, Kaiser Permanente, Oakland Medical Center, California.

Hospitality is a human connection through the gift of attention and care. When hospitality becomes our modus operandi, care is transformed from transactional to sacred.

December 20, 2018 | 9 min read

You’re not getting my f-ing box cutter: paradoxical ways kids ask for limits

By Hal Kronsberg, MD, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

The most important lesson I’ve learned as a child psychiatrist is how badly kids want limits when they’re struggling, even when they keep that wish to themselves. Kids are smart, and when we catch them breaking a rule, we need to be curious about why it happened.

February 4, 2021 | 2 min read

The Clinician as Patient

By Neha Pidatala, MD, New York, New York

When you’re a patient, use your medical knowledge to clearly communicate your goals of care. When treating a patient who works in healthcare, consider their unique perspective to facilitate meaningful discussions.

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.

November 9, 2023 | 1 min read

Filling Shoes

By Jeffrey Millstein, MD, Penn Medicine

When assuming care of patients whose clinician is retiring or departing the practice, the priority should be establishing rapport and trust. It may take time for patients to gain comfort with a new approach and treatment recommendations. 

October 1, 2019 | 4 min read

Developing a Complete Culture of Interpretation

By April Lugo, Program Coordinator, Johns Hopkins Medicine Office of Diversity and Inclusion

The clinically excellent clinician prioritizes training for themselves and their staff on the proper role of an interpreter. They work to empower interpreters to translate not only the patient's words, but also the patient's tone, cadence, and meaning.

February 11, 2021 | 6 min read

Checklists and Connections

By Neda Frayha, MD, University of Maryland

Take five minutes to connect with a patient with no medical agenda. You may be surprised by how much joy it brings both you and them.

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.

December 7, 2022 | 4 min read

The Road to Aequanimitas

By Wes Ely, MD, MPH, Vanderbilt University Medical Center

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.  

September 10, 2019 | 1 min read

3 Reasons why Shared Decision-making Matters

By Minas Chrysopoulo, MD, PMRA Plastic Surgery

When patients and clinicians arrive at a treatment plan together, patients feel more involved, confident, and satisfied with their care.

January 5, 2021 | 5 min read

Seeing and Healing Social Isolation

By Katherine Otto Chebly, MD, New York University

Social isolation and loneliness are established risk factors for disease and early death. Routinely asking about patients about their social support system (or lack thereof) allows us to give more effective care.

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.

January 18, 2024 | 1 min read

“Please pray for me” 

By Youngjee Choi, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

When my longtime patient with chronic illness asked me to pray for her, I told her I would.  Whether prayer is something one can offer, responding to emotional and spiritual requests can be an important part of care. 

August 25, 2022 | 3 min read

Hugs Are Medicine

By Aidan Crowley, Medical Student, University of Pennsylvania

Showing genuine warmth is a compassionate way to comfort our patients. 

February 27, 2018 | 2 min read

On Discrimination, Transparency, and Mutual Respect

By Anika Hines, PhD, MPH, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

Patients' past experience with discrimination may influence how they interact with you. Acknowledging this may improve communication and patient care.

January 4, 2021 | 2 min read

No Patient is an Island

By Biosha Jones, MD, Loma Linda University

Acknowledging and engaging with patients’ support system in the clinic or hospital may improve health outcomes.

April 5, 2021 | 2 min read

Slowing Down at The Bedside

By Sanjana Mathur, MBBS, University of Central Florida

Physically examining your patient takes time and cannot be rushed. Having a methodical approach will help you make accurate assessments when examining patients.

September 14, 2022 | 2 min read

The Hippocratic Oath’s Reminder to be Artful

By Ming-Hsien Wang, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Caring for diverse families, I remember the Hippocratic Oath: “. . . There is art to medicine as well as science, and that warmth, sympathy, and understanding may outweigh the surgeon's knife or the chemist's drug.”

June 22, 2018 | 2 min read

Ars Medica: The Art of Medicine

By Javier de la Maza, MD, Johns Hopkins University

Storytelling is a powerful tool that can be used to shape our reality and reconnect with our patients. Building meaningful relationships with our patients reminds us the importance of the human experience in providing clinically excellent care.

February 20, 2020 | 3 min read

“Life is short, and art long”

By Jonathan Yeh, MD, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

The art of honest and empathetic communication is fundamental to being an excellent clinician. And, it can be improved with intentional practice.

November 9, 2022 | 2 min read

Trust

By Joanne Shay, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

While caring for a four-year-old girl diagnosed with lymphoma, I learned that acknowledging and validating patient and family fears strengthens relationships.

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. 

December 21, 2020 | 3 min read

Lessons From a Kitten

By Shara Nauth, MD, Western University, Ontario, Canada

Pets can prompt reflection about what it means to be human. This may strengthen our connections with patients and improve care.

February 14, 2023 | 3 min read

Caring For Patients by Listening

By Shari Lawson, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Treat every patient with respect and address all their concerns.

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.    

April 15, 2020 | 2 min read

Keeping Older Adults Connected

By Susan Lehmann, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Social distancing can increase loneliness, especially among older adults. Finding ways to stay connected through phone and virtual visits can combat social isolation.

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.