August 3, 2020 | 1 min read

Book Review of “Elderhood”

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

Ageism is a form of discrimination that contributes to poor health outcomes. To mitigate its effects, we must enact policies that address biases in ourselves, our workplaces, and our communities.

January 11, 2024 | 2 min read

Book review of “Changing how we think about ‘difficult’ patients”  

By Jennifer Lycette, MD, rural oncologist in the Pacific Northwest

When caring for a patient whom I found challenging, I reminded myself that my negative reaction had less to do with the patient and more to do with me.  

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. 

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.

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. 

June 8, 2018 | <1 min read

Book Review: Building Healthy Communities Through Medical-Religious Partnerships

By Roy Ziegelstein, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

This book helps health professionals understand and appreciate how medical-religious partnerships can be developed, sustained, and used to improve the health of communities and the individuals who live in them.

July 29, 2019 | 1 min read

Book Review of “Tomorrow Will Be Different”

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

Clinicians are well positioned to be advocates for transgender persons and communities. In listening compassionately to our patients' personal narratives, we can understand how to best meet the needs of each individual.

April 29, 2021 | 2 min read

Book Review of “Dopesick”

By Suchita Sata, MD, Duke University

Treatment for opioid use disorder is often inaccessible and unaffordable. Nevertheless, clinicians must connect patients to available services while advocating for improved systems of care.

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."

October 19, 2020 | 2 min read

Book Review of “One by One by One”

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

Never underestimate the power of teamwork in caring for patients. What can feel impossible for one person may be accomplished with the collaboration and support of others.

May 14, 2019 | 4 min read

Review of “Critical Crash”

By Andre Lijoi, MD, York, Pennsylvania

We all have our woundedness, and our own story is important in the context of caring for our patients. These stories and wounds operate in the background of our consciousness and we must recognize and manage them.

January 8, 2019 | 1 min read

Book Review of “Wolf Constellation”

By Deirdre Johnston, MBBCh, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

This novel prompts us to consider a family's story across generations and its influence on the emergence, manifestation, diagnosis, and treatment of illness in an individual. We routinely inquire about, and document, every patient's family history, but the simple listing of a diagnosis in other family members does not tell the whole story. We need to be curious about that story, because it can tell us much about our patients' strengths and vulnerabilities.

October 11, 2018 | 1 min read

Book Review of “Beartown”

By Tina Zhang, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Medicine, much like hockey, is a team sport, where it takes the effort of many to realize success. The sacrifices required and pressures of being a hockey coach or player are similar to those that providers face. I highly recommend this book to everyone.

September 20, 2018 | 2 min read

Review of ‘Attending: Medicine, Mindfulness, and Humanity’

By Scott Wright, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Dr. Ronald Epstein's book, "Attending," offers insights into mindfulness and connecting with our patients.

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.  

January 31, 2024 | 1 min read

Book review of “The committee will kill you now” 

By Joan Naidorf, DO

This novel reminded me that even in a complex healthcare system, individual clinicians can make a substantial contribution to the ethical treatment of their patients.  

January 23, 2024 | 1 min read

Book review of “The algorithm will see you now”

By Joan Naidorf, DO

In this medical thriller set in the not-too-distant future, diagnosis and treatment are performed entirely by AI. The novel serves as a reminder that AI must be used thoughtfully and responsibly.  

September 16, 2024 | 3 min read

What healthcare professionals can learn from Clover, the death doula 

By Scott Wright, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

A novel reminded me about best practices in caring for the dying. “The Collected Regrets of Clover” repeatedly stressed to acknowledge the emotional complexities surrounding death and to never look away from someone’s pain. 

January 15, 2020 | 1 min read

Extra Minutes

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

Every extra minute a clinician spends with a patient is worth it.

June 13, 2023 | 3 min read

Reflections on “A Fortunate Woman,” by Polly Morland 

By Jonathan McFarland, Medical Humanist, Autonomous University of Madrid & University of Pompeu Fabra, Theodora Tseligka, MA, PhD, University of Ioannina, Greece

The patient-clinician relationship is at the core of medicine. Morland shares the story of a country doctor to illustrate how healthcare has evolved from doctor- to relationship-centered care. 

February 12, 2025 | 1 min read

Insights from the book “Decoding Greatness”

By Scott Wright, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Achieving greatness in any field is not only about talent or practice; it’s also about studying the successes of those who are exemplary. In medicine, observing and analyzing the approaches of admirable colleagues can allow us to grow and evolve toward being more clinically excellent. 

November 12, 2018 | 3 min read

Insights From “A Whole New Mind”

Daniel Pink's "A Whole New Mind" highlights the importance of cultivating empathy, humor, and the ability to create meaning.

August 29, 2022 | 2 min read

Takeaways From “The Making of a Surgeon”

By Richard Schaefer, MD, MPH, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Reading this book while I was in training inspired me to pursue a surgical career. Rereading it years later, I’m reminded of the importance of treating all patients with dignity.  

March 1, 2018 | 2 min read

Most Physicians Sit Down at the Bedside When Entering a Patient’s Room

By Scott Wright, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Choice architecture, framing, herd behavior, and feedback—how to nudge your patient towards healthier choices.

October 9, 2018 | 2 min read

Five Authors to Follow

Reading for a few minutes before bedtime is a calming habit, and a great way to fit in a few words from inspiring authors to fuel your practice.

September 5, 2019 | 2 min read

Book Review of “In Pain”

By Traci Speed, MD, PhD, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

Clinicians need to understand that patients' pain is real to build rapport and reassurance, which will help patients be open to the full range of treatment options.

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.

January 13, 2025 | 3 min read

Takeaways from “Attending: Medicine, Mindfulness and Humanity”  

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

Dr. Ronald Epstein's book advocates for a return to the core values of medicine: humanism, empathy, and the recognition that true healing emerges from a collaborative partnership between patient and clinician. 

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.

August 7, 2024 | 2 min read

Squish the peas 

By Jonathan Reisman, MD, Cooper University Health Care

Toddlers offer invaluable lessons for healthcare professionals. By embracing curiosity and focusing on the present, clinicians may enhance patient care, reduce burnout, and improve overall well-being.

December 27, 2018 | 2 min read

“Charm City” Movie Review

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.

July 23, 2024 | 3 min read

The last gaze: witnessing a peaceful death 

By Michael McCarthy, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

In Abraham Verghese’s novel “Cutting for Stone” I learned about how to help patients face death. This includes considering the role of spiritual support and ensuring patients feel cared for in their final moments. 

December 4, 2018 | 3 min read

Just the Facts: A Book Review of “Factfulness”

This book is full of examples showing that we are actually doing well as a species, despite constant pronouncements to the contrary. It also reminds us that we need to be mindful of our own instincts and the biases that can influence our decisions.

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. 

April 11, 2024 | 1 min read

Takeaways from Adam Grant’s “Think Again” 

By Gretchen Miller, Managing Editor

Healthcare professionals can benefit from adopting a growth mindset that emphasizes rethinking existing beliefs and approaches. A key strategy is questioning assumptions and biases, which can lead to better decision-making. 

September 20, 2023 | 2 min read

Sharing Our Stories

By Hailey Haffey, PhD, University of Utah

Stories we’ve internalized about healing may direct our approach to patient care. Find the one that resonates most with you.

April 5, 2018 | 5 min read

Remaking Medicine Whole

By Gregory Frichionne, MD, Harvard Medical School

A review of "Whole Person Care: Transforming Healthcare" by Tom Hutchinson, MB, McGill University.

August 16, 2023 | 1 min read

The Other Medical History

By Jeffrey Millstein, MD, Penn Medicine

Learning about the history of medicine can help put current health system challenges in perspective. I was especially struck by the enduring primacy of the patient-doctor relationship. 

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.

August 7, 2023 | 3 min read

Insights from the book “Unreasonable Hospitality”  

By Scott Wright, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Healthcare delivery is complex, and hospitality may not be prioritized. As individuals and teams, small changes in behavior may improve patient experience.