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January 9, 2025 | 2 min read

Caution: red tape ahead

By Katharine Russo, PharmD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Holistically caring for patients includes helping them navigate healthcare systems. Take time to support already stressed patients through the frustrating and opaque processes of insurance and prior authorizations.

April 4, 2023 | 1 min read

Insurance Denial Fatigue

By Justin McArthur, MBBS, MPH, Johns Hopkins Medicine

After spending hours with patients deciding what tests or treatments are most appropriate, guess how many seconds it takes for an insurance doctor to reject the claim?

June 18, 2019 | 2 min read

Navigating the Uncertain: A Book Review of “The Laws of Medicine”

Siddhartha Mukherjee, MD, provides a framework to reconcile the uncertainties we constantly experience in our practice of medicine in his book, "The Laws of Medicine."

December 15, 2021 | 1 min read

The Power of Humor

By Jennifer Eitingon, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

My dying patient taught me that laughter can sometimes normalize difficult situations. Finding humor in the problem lightened the mood and allowed us to devise a care plan that preserved her dignity.

January 10, 2024 | 2 min read

Risk and reward

By Hien Tan Nguyen, MD, MBA, MPH, Johns Hopkins Medicine

During surgical residency training, I learned how to operate. In practice, I learned how to decide WHETHER to operate based on individualized versus protocol-driven parameters.

September 30, 2019 | 1 min read

Practicing Non-Judgement

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

A key to persuading patients to make healthy choices is a strong therapeutic relationship.

September 21, 2023 | 1 min read

Healthcare Professionals And Fatal Overdose

By Hannah Fetting, MSN, CRNP, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Colleagues with a substance use disorder deserve the utmost compassion. We can offer nonjudgmental support, just like we do for all other conditions.

July 23, 2025 | 2 min read

Denial difficulties

Patients are often faced with automatic denials from insurance companies. When advocating for patients, healthcare professionals can stay calm, present facts clearly, and prioritize the patient’s best interests.

May 16, 2023 | 4 min read

Mitigating pharmacist burnout

By Heather Folz, PharmD, Notre Dame of Maryland University

Many pharmacists are trained in and rejuvenated by giving patient-centered care. The support of other healthcare professionals in our mission can help prevent pharmacist burnout.

February 24, 2025 | 2 min read

Listening to find answers

By Michael Albert, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

To more accurately arrive at the diagnosis, it is generally wise to believe patients’ recounting of their symptoms and experiences. This can result in uncovering medical conditions that are sometimes labeled as being more generalized—like anxiety—and lead to improved patient outcomes.

April 22, 2024 | 2 min read

Mentorship—a lifelong dialogue

By Jane Abernethy, MD, MBE, Johns Hopkins Medicine, Rani Nandiwada, MD, MSEd, Penn Medicine

In our long-lasting mentor-mentee relationship, we’ve learned it’s helpful to put a regular check-in time on the calendar and to brainstorm questions and goals for the session ahead of time.

June 18, 2025 | 2 min read

The heart of the practice: a PA’s reflections on teamwork

Exceptional patient care is a team endeavor, built on trust and a shared commitment to addressing every patient's unique needs. This is especially true when navigating complex health disparities.

December 12, 2022 | 5 min read

Room 441

By Alicia Zellmer, MD, George Washington University

Although humanized care can sometimes be more time-consuming, sharing detailed information and ensuring patient’s understanding is essential for clinical excellence.

August 9, 2021 | 4 min read

Hiding in Plain Sight: Just Ask, or You’ll Miss Most Eating Disorders

By Angela Guarda, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Although five percent of the population has a clinically significant eating disorder, most aren't detected because clinicians don’t ask. Simply asking,“What is the MOST you would be comfortable weighing?” can help identify a restrictive eating disorder.

September 17, 2024 | 1 min read

Navigating drug shortages

By Carmen Lopez-Arvizu, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

In the face of drug shortages, clinicians must become proactive resource navigators. By staying informed, collaborating with patients, and exploring alternative solutions, clinicians can help mitigate the negative impact of shortages.

August 7, 2024 | 3 min read

“Far from the madding crowd”

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

Every extra hour that a patient spends in the ER worsens mortality. Clinicians can make changes to address this problem, like reorganizing rounding to see potential discharge-ready patients first.

September 15, 2020 | 3 min read

How to talk with patients about sexual health

By Matthew Hamill, MBChB, PhD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Sexual health can be a sensitive topic to discuss. Asking open-ended questions and allowing time for your patient’s story to unfold can create a safe space for conversations about sexual health.

December 10, 2019 | 2 min read

No Patience for Patient Violence

By Che Harris, MD, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

The clinically excellent clinician prepares before intervening to de-escalate patients who may be behaving aggressively.

"Rinaldo and Armida," 1629, Anthony van Dyke. Public domain.

September 4, 2019 | 7 min read

From Frameside to Bedside: Pauses and Perspective

By Kamna Balhara, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

The art of medicine must balance stillness and motion. Making time to reflect can infuse more meaning in our interactions with patients.

August 4, 2025 | 3 min read

Bearing witness

We often see the disparities in our world on display in the exam room. While we can’t make life fair, we can listen to patients’ stories and honor their experiences.

May 30, 2023 | 2 min read

Artificial Intelligence: Artificial? Intelligent? Neither or Both?

By Matthew Peters, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

AI can complement the work of mental health professionals, in addition to performing clerical tasks and analyzing big data for insightful trends.

June 9, 2025 | 3 min read

When care hurts

Patients’ past healthcare experiences influence their ability to engage in care. Taking time to learn about their life stories builds trust and empowers them to participate in their healing.

April 24, 2025 | 5 min read

Time machine

I recently cared for a patient labeled as “difficult” and struggled. Learning more about his life story would have allowed me to serve him more effectively.

March 15, 2022 | 1 min read

Clinicians And Faith

By Susan Lehmann, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

In these turbulent times, faith can be a bulwark against cynicism and despair. It can help us maintain a generosity of spirit toward patients, colleagues, and ourselves.

"I tend to think I'm above average in singing, but my family isn’t shy in telling me that I’m unskilled and unaware."

February 9, 2022 | 2 min read

How to Improve Clinician-Patient Connections, Part 4

By Christine Ko, MD, Yale University

My “fast” thoughts about a patient may not truly represent their experience. “Slow” thinking may give a more accurate picture.

January 27, 2025 | 2 min read

The green hospital

By Nick Dalesio, MD, MPH, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Recognize the significant environmental impact of your healthcare practices. Advocate for and implement sustainable solutions, such as optimizing workflow to reduce waste and improve resource utilization.

December 2, 2021 | 3 min read

TikTok: The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly

By Colleen Schreyer, PhD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

For patients who are on social media, encourage them to engage with pro-mental health content on TikTok by watching, liking, and sharing.

November 25, 2024 | 2 min read

Minimizing the risks of teen social media use

By Sarah Radtke, PhD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Prioritize open dialogue with patients about social media use, focusing on its impact on mental and emotional well-being.

November 18, 2021 | 3 min read

Adequate Bandwith

By Jennifer Eitingon, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Recently, a patient dying of cancer requested CPR despite many clinicians advising against it. When it feels challenging to understand a patient’s decision, I remind myself to consider the situation from a different perspective.

November 18, 2024 | 3 min read

Starting from scratch

By Erica Richards, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Eliciting detailed stories about patients’ experiences is invaluable in healthcare. Approaching history-taking in a thorough manner allowed me to discover that a brain tumor was causing a patient’s psychiatric symptoms.

July 20, 2021 | 2 min read

3 lessons on clinical excellence from the oncology clinic

By Sajya Singh, Medical Student, Johns Hopkins Medicine

While shadowing clinicians in cancer care, I learned the importance of spending time to gather the family history, building trusting relationships, and balancing treatment plans with quality-of-life considerations.

August 26, 2024 | 2 min read

The Argentinian way

By M. Carolina Musri, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

In Argentina, I learned that relationship-building in medicine is paramount. With patients, talking about anything non-medical can deepen a connection. With coworkers, sharing lunch every day can help reduce stress and improve well-being.

February 8, 2021 | 2 min read

The Silver Linings of Having a Baby During The Pandemic

By Susan Aucott, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

The hospital experience for pregnant patients is different during the pandemic. Without visitors, new parents can focus even more on bonding with their new baby.

August 8, 2024 | 2 min read

Unspoken

From my experience working on an inpatient psychiatry unit, I learned to look for hidden messages in the patient’s story and explore these with curiosity. Sometimes a patient’s cry for help is cloaked in other behaviors.

January 19, 2021 | 2 min read

How to Mitigate Compassion Fatigue

By Dimitrios Tsatiris, MD, Cleveland, Ohio

Prioritizing self-care and making an effort to connect with others may prevent burnout and allow us to continue to give clinically excellent care to patients.

November 2, 2020 | 4 min read

Prescription for a healthy future—vote!

By Deanna Behrens, MD, Advocate Children\'s Hospital, Elizabeth Mack, MD, Jenna Miller, MD, Katherine Hoops, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Clinicians have a responsibility to advocate for policies that can improve the health of all. We must take our civic responsibility seriously and make a plan to vote.

July 29, 2024 | 2 min read

Becoming a lifeline

By Joanna Cohen, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Clinicians must proactively identify patients at risk of suicide. A multi-faceted approach includes regular screenings for depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts, and ensuring all patients and caregivers have access to a crisis hotline.

July 18, 2024 | 2 min read

The French secret

By Alisha Dziarski, MS, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Clinicians might consider recommending interactive recreational activities to some patients rather than non-specific exercise guidelines. These endeavors provide exercise, community, and social interaction all in one.

July 2, 2024 | 4 min read

Seeing

By Kamna Balhara, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

When patients present frequently to the ED, clinicians must make an effort to validate them as individuals. It's also important to be aware of and work to change the underlying social determinants that may drive their visits.

July 1, 2024 | 3 min read

The power of honesty

By Keshav Khanijow, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Prioritizing clear communication with patients and using plain language to explain clinical information helps to build trust.

June 11, 2024 | 2 min read

From pizza pans to pain plans

By Christle Nwora, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

For young adults transitioning to adult care, building trust and rapport is crucial. With permission, it may be helpful to continue involving parents in care plans to improve health outcomes.

Original artwork by Trisha Smith.

May 7, 2024 | 1 min read

Putting back the pieces

By Trisha Smith, MA, Charlotte, North Carolina

When I was recovering from cancer, painting abstract watercolors became my healing outlet. It allowed me to process emotions, sparked self-discovery, and led me to a career in art therapy.

April 17, 2024 | 2 min read

Kratom—the opioid-like herbal drug your patients may be using

By Megan Buresh, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Kratom use is on the rise. It is important to ask patients about use in a nonjudgmental manner.

January 16, 2024 | 2 min read

“Too maternal”

By Kimberlee Parker, DO, MPH, Baylor College of Medicine

Being a mother has helped me to be a better doctor. Both roles require empathy, which I express toward my children and patients.

November 27, 2023 | 2 min read

When the truth (literally) hurts

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

When our patients are facing surgery or other procedures, thoughtful questions can help allay their worries.

July 23, 2019 | 3 min read

Engaging Care Partners in Communication

By Antonio Wolff, MD, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Jennifer Aufill, BA, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Jennifer Wolff, PhD, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health

Families and friends are valuable resources. These partners in care can help clinicians improve quality of care and patient outcomes.

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 30, 2023 | 2 min read

Drawing Connections

By Laura Tafe, MD, Dartmouth-Hitchcock

As a pathologist who rarely interacts directly with patients, I was thrilled to see my patient’s drawing in a hospital publication. All clinicians should seek out opportunities to gain a more complete “picture” of their patients’ lives.

January 22, 2019 | 4 min read

The 5A’s of Firearm Safety Counseling

By Cassandra Crifasi, PhD, MPH, Katherine Hoops, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Clinicians must counsel their patients about the dangers of firearms. If they decide to be gun owners, advise how to store them safely.

October 2, 2023 | 4 min read

Exclamation Points And Exhalations

By Ajibike Lapite, MD, MPHTM, Texas Childrens Hospital

Even when lab results are normal, some patients may still have concerns. Take time to address their fears and worries.