Skip to content
C L O S L E R
  • Creative Arts In Medicine
  • Connecting with Patients
  • Passion in the Medical Profession
  • Lifelong Learning in Clinical Excellence
  • Topic Search
  • About Us
  • Our Team
  • Contact
  • Add Your Voice
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
Subscribe
C L O S L E R
Moving Us Closer To Osler
A Miller Coulson Academy of Clinical Excellence Initiative
Johns Hopkins Medicine Logo
Creative Arts In Medicine
Connecting with Patients
Passion in the Medical Profession
Lifelong Learning in Clinical Excellence
Topic Search
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.

September 29, 2020 | 4 min read

Respecting All Patients

By Chase Anderson, MD, University of California San Francisco

Using your patient’s correct pronoun at all times is critical to supporting their mental well-being.

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. 

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. 

August 7, 2020 | 3 min read

How to Talk About Diversity With Minority Physicians

By Chase Anderson, MD, University of California San Francisco

Before asking minority colleagues about discrimination, gain their consent first.

December 30, 2020 | 4 min read

Grateful For #MedTwitter in 2020 

By Chase Anderson, MD, University of California San Francisco

Despite physical distancing during the pandemic, Twitter is a platform where clinicians around the world can connect. This reduces feelings of isolation and gives support to many.

March 11, 2021 | 1 min read

How to Create Sanctuaries for Patients

By Michelle Ogunwole, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

To create safe spaces for historically marginalized patients, slow down and gather more information when conflicts arise. Be aware of your biases and give patients the benefit of the doubt.

February 16, 2021 | 4 min read

Using Affirming Language With LGBTQIA+ Patients

By Christopher Clayton, MD, New York, New York, Lila Flavin, MD, New York, New York

As a way to demonstrate respect for patients, consider asking them about their gender identity, sexual orientation, and preferred pronouns.

December 19, 2022 | 2 min read

Female Leaders in Surgery

By Ming-Hsien Wang, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

More women surgeons will increase the diversity of ideas and perspectives needed for excellent patient care. 

December 17, 2020 | 4 min read

Racial Discrimination And Larger Bodies

By Kristal Brown, PhD, MSPH, Johns Hopkins Medicine

We must be aware of our own biases and prejudices in order to give excellent care to every patient.

A crowd organized by the Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee sang “We Shall Overcome” in Farmville, Virginia, in 1966, after a speech by Stokely Carmichael.

January 18, 2019 | 9 min read

From Clinic to Senate

By Kali Cyrus, MD, MPH, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Advocacy does not have to mean changing legal precedents; it can also be taking a mentee out for coffee, giving feedback about your colleague’s stereotyping of a patient, or not patronizing restaurants with unfair wage practices.

September 3, 2020 | 3 min read

See Something, Say Something

By Kali Cyrus, MD, MPH, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Being an ally for justice to patients and colleagues requires taking action. Doing or saying something, literally anything, when someone is mistreated is better than nothing.

"While Ms. R's body seemed to work fine, her mind just didn’t cooperate. She felt like she was in a fog sitting at her desk staring at the computer screen."

February 10, 2021 | 2 min read

Supporting Patients Through Small Strokes

By Elisabeth Breese Marsh, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Cognitive dysfunction is common after small strokes. Reassure your patient that symptoms will improve over time and that recovery may take several months.

March 30, 2020 | 1 min read

Serving the Socially Vulnerable During the Pandemic

By Deidra Crews, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Excellent clinicians must think of creative ways to serve all of our patients during this time of crisis, and keep the most vulnerable at the front of our minds.

October 22, 2019 | 2 min read

The Color of my Skin

By Kimberly Turner, MD, Johns Hopkins Community Physicians

With mentorship, advocacy, and open-mindedness by all, it is hoped that there will be greater diversity within the healthcare workforce.

May 9, 2019 | 2 min read

Ending Conversion Therapy

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

Speaking up to end conversion therapy is fulfilling one of our fundamental oaths: primum non nocere—first do no harm.

MERIT Health Leadership Academy students, Baltimore, Maryland, author's photo.

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.

February 13, 2019 | 2 min read

Disparities in New Treatments

By Utibe Essien, MD, MPH, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine

When beginning new treatments, it's important to ask patients what they understand about the medication, what their expectations are, what barriers might exist to remaining on this agent, and what they value most out of their treatment plan.

August 9, 2018 | 4 min read

Becoming A Better Ally

By Mariah Robertson, MD, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

LGBTQ seniors are at a significantly higher risk for health disparities and frequently withhold their gender identity or sexual orientation from their physician due to fear of being turned away or discriminated against. It is up to each of us to educate ourselves so we can be empowered to routinely ask about the sexual health of our aging patients.

Natya Dhrami Foundation for Performing Arts. Copyright with Eswar Avidi.

August 10, 2022 | 3 min read

Storytelling With Hands

By Shreya Srivastava, medical student, Albany Medical College

Exploring Non-Western art forms–like Indian classical dance–can diversify our understanding of the cultural and spiritual roles that body parts can play in healing.

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.

May 8, 2018 | 3 min read

Compassion is Contagious

By Colleen Christmas, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Patients are observing us while we interact with others in the hospital, and this can have a tremendous impact on the trust they put in our care.

April 4, 2018 | 3 min read

Race, Funding, and Access to High Quality Care

By Sophie Lanzkron, MD, MDH, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

Sophie Lanzkron, MD, MHS, advocates for systemic change to increase access to high quality sickle cell care for all patients.

February 22, 2021 | 3 min read

Giving Respectful Care to All

By Danielle Prentice, DO, Penn State

Respecting patients' stories, leaving preconceived notions at the door, and avoiding insensitive comments are expected professional norms in healthcare.

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.

December 29, 2020 | 4 min read

Lessons From “Diary of a Med Student”

By Howard Chang, Medical Student, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Working in healthcare, we interact with people who can be offensive. A med student reflects on how best to respond to patients who are demeaning.

Dr. Carl Streed and Jacob Tobia. Photo by Dr. Carl Streed.

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.

December 16, 2020 | 2 min read

The Danger of Stereotyping Specialties

By Sarah Temkin, MD, Greater Baltimore Medical Center

Clinicians must critically evaluate the stereotypes that they assign to one another. A diversity of training and backgrounds is beneficial to patient care.

September 3, 2019 | 2 min read

“Hand-holding”

By Colleen Leavitt, MD, Johns Hopkins Community Physicians

Personalized care softens the edges of a one-size-fits-all medical system that perpetuates inequities. For some, clinicians and the healthcare system need to be able to step-up and take actions that support their patients' health.

November 23, 2020 | 3 min read

Working With Perpetrators of Intimate Partner Violence

By Galina Portnoy, PhD, Yale School of Medicine

In addition to identifying survivors of Intimate Partner Violence (IPV), complementary efforts are needed to detect those at risk of perpetrating IPV to prevent future incidents.

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.

A drive-in BINGO game during the pandemic,

November 9, 2020 | 2 min read

Supporting Older Patients’ Emotional Health During The Pandemic

By Art Walaszek, MD, University of Wisconsin

We can support our patients’ well-being by encouraging safe social interactions and addressing psychiatric illness.

May 23, 2019 | 1 min read

The Thinking of a Clinical Problem Solver

By Reza Manesh, MD, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

We aren't expected to know everything. Identifying the salient features of a case can lead you to the diagnosis.

October 22, 2020 | 2 min read

Patient Voting Matters

By Patrick Hemming, MD, Duke University

Clinicians are in a position of influence and can encourage patients to vote. Expressing confidence in patients’ ability to make a difference as a voter may motivate them to take action

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.

Wye Valley, Wales, by Taylor Purvis, October 2018.

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.’

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.

September 18, 2018 | 3 min read

No Blushing! How to Talk About Sex With All Patients

By Helene Hedian, MD, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

Engaging in open, nonjudgmental discussions about patients’ sexual health provides an opportunity to assess risk, screen for sexual dysfunction, provide counseling, and offer appropriate vaccinations.

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. 

August 17, 2022 | 2 min read

Listening to The How Can Reveal The Why

By Jeffrey Millstein, MD, Penn Medicine, Meshulam Twerski, MS3, Penn Medicine

The way patients express their reluctance to pursue screening can help uncover truths that guide meaningful conversations and build trust.   

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.

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.  

June 1, 2018 | 2 min read

Fewer Assumptions, Better Care

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

Assumptions may speed our diagnoses, but they hinder our interactions with our patients. Our assumptions and expectations of what a patient wants from their care can lead to missed opportunities to providing comprehensive and compassionate care.

September 9, 2020 | 1 min read

We’re All in This Together

By Mike Fingerhood, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

With the added stress caused by the pandemic, make an extra effort to screen your patients for anxiety and depression. Empathizing about shared concerns may facilitate patient expression.

October 27, 2021 | 4 min read

Digital Media Addiction: It’s Complicated

By Natalie Gukasyan, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

It’s tempting to resort to simple explanations for complex behaviors like digital media use. Deep relationships with patients can help you understand what’s behind the behavior. 

July 19, 2021 | 3 min read

Diversifying The Clinician Workforce

By Pringl Miller, MD, San Francisco, California

Diversifying the clinician workforce is associated with improved patient satisfaction and outcomes. So, what are we waiting for?

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.

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.

April 16, 2018 | 2 min read

Giving Humanistic and Empathetic Care

By Michele Manahan, MD, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

Dr. Michele Manahan's Clinical Mission & Values Statement on supporting her patients through conversation, active listening, a receptive ear, and an incisive mind.

April 26, 2021 | 2 min read

Embrace Your Vulnerability

By Jennifer Huang, MD, Oregon Health & Science University

Sometimes sharing personal details about yourself helps forge a deeper connection with your patient.

Our Mission

Stimulating healthcare professionals and trainees to reflect on giving exceptional care to every patient.

C L O S L E R
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
  • Creative Arts In Medicine
  • Connecting with Patients
  • Passion in the Medical Profession
  • Lifelong Learning in Clinical Excellence
  • About Us
  • Our Team
  • Contact
  • Add Your Voice
  • Subscribe
  • Donate

©2023 Miller Coulson Academy of Clinical Excellence,  Johns Hopkins Medicine.  All Rights Reserved.  Privacy Policy