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Moving Us Closer To Osler
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Creative Arts in Medicine
Connecting with Patients
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December 23, 2024 | 1 min read

Beyond the Grinch’s grump 

By Heather Agee, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Patients exhibiting "Grinch-like" behaviors may be masking underlying trauma and vulnerability. Try an empathetic "Cindy Lou" approach to foster trust and facilitate healing. 

September 7, 2023 | 2 min read

“Wild Problems” Book Review

By Margaret Chisolm, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

When it comes to the big decisions in life, abandoning a rational, algorithmic approach—and going back to guiding principles—may be the secret to happiness. 

"Ángel M. Felicísimo from Mérida, España," Pablo Picasso, 1923. Creative Commons via Wikimedia. Public domain.

June 27, 2023 | 3 min read

Book Review of “Wanting: The Power of Mimetic Desire in Everyday Life” 

By Margaret Chisolm, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Wanting what others desire contributes to dissatisfaction and rivalry. Learning how to separate your wants from those of the crowd will bring you greater happiness and life satisfaction. 

March 25, 2019 | 2 min read

Movie Review of “End Game”

By Barry Bryant, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

The documentary "End Game" includes honest and reflective conversations with patients about what dying might be like, and investigation into what patients want the end of their life to look like.

December 27, 2018 | 2 min read

“Charm City” Movie Review

By Panagis Galiatsatos, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

The upcoming film "Charm City" emphasizes that the struggles of each patient who comes to clinic extend far beyond a medical diagnosis. We must be conscious of our patients' many challenges and mindful to address them. Making time to ask about your patient's day-to-day concerns, worries, and fears about their homes, neighborhoods, and communities can help you to get a fuller perspective of their medical and social determinants of health. This will allow you to reach relevant goals of care together.

April 21, 2020 | 2 min read

“Jiro Dreams of Sushi”

By Scott Wright, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Role models can be found on Netflix. Jiro, the master sushi chef, is aiming for perfection, and we must also continuously try to get better in our work with patients.

October 30, 2024 | 1 min read

More than words 

By Jeffrey Millstein, MD, Penn Medicine

As depicted in the drama “From Scratch,” body language may often transcend words as expressions of empathy. Healthcare professionals should remain aware of how expressions, postures, and gestures can affect the ongoing conversation.  

October 26, 2021 | 3 min read

What is The Scope of a Clinician’s Work?

By Margaret Chisolm, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

We must help our patients achieve a state where body, mind, and spirit are working as a whole. We can help them do more than survive. Let’s help them thrive!

September 26, 2022 | 3 min read

Concerning Hobbits: On Middle-earth and Medicine

By Tina Zhang, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine, Zach Lorenz, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

J.R.R. Tolkein’s beloved trilogy offers lessons for life and medicine, including journeying with our patients through dark times and effectively engaging in teamwork. 

Hobbit holes, Hobbiton, Matamata, New Zealand. Photo by Jackie Ick, flickr.com, public domain, wikimedia.org.

February 21, 2020 | 2 min read

Hobbits of Healthcare

By David Shih Wu, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

The excellent clinician demonstrates hobbit-like bravery by leaning into hard conversations.

May 3, 2022 | 5 min read

10 Pearls From Clinician Exemplars

By Ralph Hruban, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

We have much to learn from those who came before us. One example is working toward equity in healthcare, including fighting sexism and racism. 

Three common zebras (Equus quagga), Kruger National Park, South Africa.

August 18, 2020 | 2 min read

Zebras Are Out There

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

Looking at the big picture and verifying details will help you consider diagnoses that may be unlikely, but still possible.

Photograph by Dr. Margaret Chisolm.

January 30, 2020 | 6 min read

December Art Museum Challenge

By Flora Smyth Zahra, MA Clin Ed, DRestDent RCS, FHEA, Kings College London, Margaret Chisolm, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

The art museum is an emerging informal educational space for the health professions. Here, transformative learning theory provides educators with a model to understand how, through systematically challenging learners’ preconceived beliefs, assumptions, and values, students can grow in their developing professional role.

September 19, 2023 | 3 min read

After Hours

By Margaret Chisolm, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

To take care of themselves, their mentees, and their patients, academic clinicians should stop working routinely nights, weekends, and during vacations. 

November 22, 2022 | 3 min read

Living Your Best Life

By Margaret Chisolm, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

By understanding what a good life looks like for each patient, clinicians can move beyond merely treating diseases to helping people flourish. 

September 11, 2020 | 3 min read

No Regrets—A Lesson Amid a Pandemic

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

A decision made in good faith with the best available information shouldn’t be regretted even if it’s later proven wrong. All we can do is learn from the experience to improve our care of patients.

September 1, 2022 | 2 min read

“Ticking Time Bomb”

By Kittane "Vishnu" Vishnupriya, MBBS, Johns Hopkins Medicine

If you use a metaphor when speaking with patients, make sure to choose ones that don’t cause unnecessary alarm. 

"I asked his family what he'd want us to know about him and his daughter said he loves Irish music."

February 15, 2021 | 2 min read

End-of-Life Care During The Pandemic

By Ambereen Mehta, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Hospital visitation is limited during the pandemic. To alleviate the stress of this restriction, connect patients with their families via video as often as possible.

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