You searched for philosophy - CLOSLER - CLOSLER

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.

January 7, 2021 | 4 min read

3 Steps to Develop Your Philosophy of Caring

By Aidan Crowley, Medical Student, University of Pennsylvania

Identifying the principles that guide your care of patients will bring more meaning and purpose to your work. This can bring both you and your patients joy and fulfillment.

August 27, 2018 | 1 min read

Practicing the Golden Rule

By Scott Newsome, DO, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

A key element in treating people with chronic illness is partnering with their family to develop an individualized management plan.

April 3, 2025 | 3 min read

The unknown variable

By Eve Glenn, ScB, medical student, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Providing excellent patient care requires being in the liminal space between scientific certainty and human ambiguity. This is a place from which to bear witness to suffering with both intellectual curiosity and deep empathy.

March 17, 2025 | 7 min read

Caring and uncaring in medicine and beyond

By David Kopacz, MD, University of Washington

Every moment in medicine, and in life, we have the choice to base our actions in caring.

October 15, 2024 | 3 min read

Finding healing in the wound

By David Kopacz, MD, University of Washington

In caring for patients, embrace the paradox of the wound. Recognize that illness can be an opportunity for their growth and personal transformation. Support them in exploring the spiritual and emotional dimensions of the experience.

December 19, 2023 | 3 min read

Spinoza and 21st-century medicine

By Jonathan McFarland, Medical Humanist, Autonomous University of Madrid & University of Pompeu Fabra

I learned about the mind-body connection from the philosopher Spinoza. A holistic clinical approach emphasizes the relationship between mental well-being and physical health.

March 14, 2018 | 2 min read

The Power of Acknowledging Feelings

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

Recognizing and acknowledging feelings can diffuse a patient’s anxiety.

September 19, 2019 | 2 min read

The Importance of Partnering With Patients

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

What patients and families need is a clinician advocate who is available to listen, translate complex medical language, and support both the physical and mental health of the patient.

December 26, 2018 | 1 min read

How to Ensure Patient Access During the Holidays

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

The holidays can be a stressful time for both patients and clinicians. Here are a few ideas to ensure stress-free access to care for patients, and tips for everyone to stay healthy and rested.

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.

June 25, 2018 | 2 min read

Trust The Diagnostic Process

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

Clinicians use a diagnostic process to guide their actions when faced with a medical problem. Hypothesis generation provides an efficient reliable framework to focus the clinical workup and come to the correct diagnosis and treatment plan.

May 17, 2018 | 2 min read

How To Avoid Complacency in Diagnosis

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

Top tips to avoid complacency when faced with a common clinical presentation that may have an uncommon medical diagnosis.

April 26, 2018 | 1 min read

Forming True Partnerships In Care: Listen To Your Patient

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

Reflecting on caring for a 12-year-old with a complex neurological condition, I was humbled by the parents’ definition of clinically excellent patient care.

Plato, Greek philosopher. A disciple of Socrates and the teacher of Aristotle, he founded the Academy in Athens. This is his statue, located before the Academy of Athens, Greece.

June 29, 2022 | 3 min read

Being PerfecT in Healthcare

By Mike Fingerhood, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine, Scott Wright, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Moral questions often arise in healthcare. Contemplating how our efforts might translate into the most good deserves our thoughtful consideration.

February 20, 2025 | 2 min read

Insights from the book “Be water, my friend”

By Scott Wright, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Marvel at the adaptability of water—perhaps you may be able to embrace, rather than resist change. Accepting that healthcare is continuously changing might allow for less frustration.

July 9, 2024 | 3 min read

Takeaways from the book “Progress Notes”

By Abraham Nussbaum, MD, Denver Health

Excellent clinicians understand patients not just as bodies, but also as individuals within a community. Healthcare professionals should be trained in both for a more holistic approach to patient care.

July 9, 2018 | 2 min read

Educator, Advocate, Surgeon, and Caregiver for Life

By Matthew Weiss, MD, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

As a cancer surgeon, my approach to care focuses heavily on communication with patients and their loved ones. Quite simply, I treat patients as I would want to be treated myself as a patient.

June 4, 2018 | 2 min read

Giving My Best to Each Patient

By Ross Donehower, MD, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

An oncologist shares his clinical mission statement, with the ultimate goal of making sure that each patient feels deeply cared for.

December 21, 2021 | 4 min read

How to Make New Habits Stick, Part 2

By Howard Chang, Medical Student, Johns Hopkins Medicine

We can build good habits in our own lives and help patients do the same by implementing the four laws of behavior change: make it obvious, make it attractive, make it easy, and make it satisfying.

December 16, 2021 | 3 min read

How to Make New Habits Stick, Part 1

By Howard Chang, Medical Student, Johns Hopkins Medicine

James Clear’s book, “Atomic Habits,” teaches us that the best way to start good habits is to implement small changes. This framework can help clinicians and patients meaningfully improve their daily routine.

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.

March 19, 2018 | 5 min read

Deep and Active Listening

By Susan Lehmann, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

The essence of good doctoring is to listen attentively and respectfully to the concerns of your patient.

November 5, 2018 | 2 min read

Providing Holistic Care

By Nancy Hutton, MD, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

Excellence in clinical care requires intellectual rigor, keen observation, empathic communication, an understanding of the context in which the patient lives, and consideration of the individual patient as the center of care.

April 2, 2025 | 2 min read

“Alchemy”—book review

By Scott Wright, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Sprinkling a little bit of magic into whatever you are doing can make it better and more fun. The world, in general, and healthcare are both in need of plenty of magical transformation—read on for ways to get started yourself.

August 20, 2018 | 1 min read

Giving Family-Centered Care

By Richard Redett, MD, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

Taking care of children means giving family-centered care, where we nurture a partnership between the family, patient, and healthcare team.

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.

Drawing of a Scottie dog, by the author.

July 23, 2024 | 1 min read

Scottie dog

By Victoria Holm, medical student, California University of Science and Medicine

Sometimes you must view things from another angle to see something new. Life is all about perspective!

March 27, 2024 | 1 min read

Deepening connections: takeaways from David Brooks’ “How to Know a Person”

By Gretchen Miller, Managing Editor

Healthcare professionals can enhance their connections with patients and coworkers by truly understanding others. Looking beyond the surface, cultivating empathy, and mastering the art of paying attention can help clinicians build deeper relationships.

August 22, 2023 | 4 min read

HeART And Soul

By Jonathan McFarland, Medical Humanist, Autonomous University of Madrid & University of Pompeu Fabra

Incorporating the arts into patient care may be a step toward infusing compassion into what can be a dehumanizing healthcare environment.

"Irises," by Elizabeth “Elsie” Sophia Skorski Kopacz.

August 9, 2023 | 2 min read

To Grandmother’s House We Go

By David Kopacz, MD, University of Washington

Religion and spirituality are part of the human experience. Sometimes, it can improve patient well-being to include these topics in our conversations.

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.

June 25, 2018 | 2 min read

On The Professional Formation of Doctors

By Margaret Chisolm, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

By getting out of the business of knowledge and skills and returning to the work of professional formation, not only will medical schools and their patients win, but doctors—and the profession of medicine as a whole—will too.

June 11, 2018 | 5 min read

Caring For The Patient

By Michael Carducci, MD, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

An oncologist shares his inspiring clinical mission and values statement on noticing beauty and knowing his patients.

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.

January 18, 2022 | 4 min read

How to Make New Habits Stick, Part 3

By Howard Chang, Medical Student, Johns Hopkins Medicine

We can break bad habits in our own lives and help patients do the same by making them unattractive, difficult, unsatisfying, and removing triggers.

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!

August 31, 2021 | 1 min read

Finding Common Ground

By Faisal Nawaz, Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dubai, UAE

Connecting with patients through shared interests or hobbies can help to strengthen and deepen relationships. For many, this adds to the joy of medicine.

May 14, 2018 | 1 min read

Teamwork, Compassion, and Respect

By Derek Fine, MD, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

A clinical mission statement from a nephrologist: values important to the best patient centered clinical care include teamwork, compassion, and respect.

Gardening creates an opportunity to take a mini-rest from the world, connect with nature, and experience the healing power of plants.

April 12, 2021 | 4 min read

Making the Most of Your Daily “Nervous Breakdown”

By David Kopacz, MD, University of Washington

A century ago, a “nervous breakdown” was a socially acceptable way to just take a break and recharge. Now, it’s not. In order to refresh yourself and mitigate burnout, consider scheduling regular time off.

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.

April 30, 2018 | 4 min read

The 15 Values of a Pediatric Anesthesiologist

By Ivor Berkowitz, MBBCh, MBA, Johns Hopkins Medicine

A pediatric anesthesiologist shares the 15 values that have guided his career.

April 23, 2018 | 2 min read

Knowing Your Patient as a Person

By Roy Ziegelstein, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Knowledge and skill are critical to clinical excellence—however their true value can only be realized when the clinician knows each patient as a person.

"L'Atelier au mimosa," Pierre Bonnard.

May 13, 2019 | 7 min read

April Art Museum Challenge

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

Slow looking can enable clinicians to see more deeply, think more critically, and engage more meaningfully in patient care. Time spent in a museum supports clinician wellness and nurtures student professional identity formation.

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.

"Corridor in the Asylum," Vincent van Gogh, 1889. The Met Museum.

March 5, 2018 | 3 min read

Demystifying Psychiatry

By Margaret Chisolm, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Demystifying psychiatry for patients is the heart of my work. In its existential aspects, psychotherapy calls for the imagination of alternative possibilities.