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Trichomonas vaginalis

December 12, 2024 | 3 min read

Home testing: a new era in sexual health

By Scott Wright, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

At-home sexually transmitted illness (STI) testing allows easier patient access. It’s crucial for healthcare professionals to talk with patients about the limitations of these tests and discuss when follow-up care is needed.

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.

September 19, 2024 | 3 min read

Breaking the silence on bladder and sexual dysfunction

By Tamara Kaplan, MD, Brigham and Womens Hospital

Excellent clinical care requires addressing overlooked and under-treated aspects of patients' lives. This includes fostering open communication about sensitive topics and providing compassionate support.

April 28, 2025 | 3 min read

Spotting victims—human trafficking is not uncommon

Healthcare professionals have a unique opportunity to identify and help victims of human and labor trafficking. Read on for practical tips for how to recognize and support these patients.

"While cranberry products may help prevent UTIs in some people, they’re not a cure. If your patient suspects a UTI, encourage them to seek a medical evaluation for proper treatment."

February 3, 2025 | 3 min read

Debunking women’s health and menopause myths

Women's health, especially menopause, is rife with misinformation. Addressing patients’ needs with empathy and evidence will help empower them to make choices in line with their goals for care.

June 10, 2024 | 2 min read

Let’s talk about sex and aging

By Mariah Robertson, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Open and inclusive questions during routine visits with older patients can improve their sexual health outcomes.

March 18, 2019 | 2 min read

The Truth About Sex

By Khalil Ghanem, MD, PhD, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

How you phrase questions when obtaining a sexual history can mitigate the impact of social desirability bias and enhance the accuracy of the information that is obtained.

March 19, 2019 | 3 min read

Reversing the Backslide: Sexually Transmitted Infections in the US

By Matthew Hamill, MBChB, PhD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Open, non-judgmental, respectful, medically-relevant conversations need to be the cornerstone of all therapeutic relationships. As long as patients feel valued and at the center of their care, patients are willing to engage in discussions about sexually transmitted infections.

August 21, 2023 | 2 min read

DO you see me? CAN you see me?

By Mandy Hill, DrPH, MPH, UTHealth Houston, McGovern Medical School

As a part of every patient encounter, I ask myself how I can ensure that they have a positive experience. This begins with recognizing the patient as a person.

February 28, 2018 | 4 min read

Asking patients about adverse childhood experiences (archives, 2018)

By Brent Beasley, MD, University of Oklahoma

Ask. It's scary. But ask anyway.

June 9, 2022 | 3 min read

Gender And Sexual History 2.0

By Rebekah Fenton, MD, Northwestern University

To help LGBTQIA+ individuals feel more welcome, I introduce myself with the pronouns I use. This seems to invite them to do the same.

March 14, 2024 | 3 min read

Why sexual orientation and gender identity in the EMR matters

By Tyler Cornell, MSN/MPH, CRNP (she/her), Johns Hopkins Medicine

Always ask patients about their gender identity, preferred name, pronouns, and how they define their sexual orientation. This builds trust and helps your patients feel safe to return for follow-up.

Treponema pallidum Syphilis bacterium, the bacterium responsible for the dangerous sexually transmitted infection, syphilis.

January 8, 2024 | 3 min read

Combatting the syphilis epidemic

By Zach Lorenz, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Rates of syphilis and other sexually transmitted infections are skyrocketing. It’s imperative that we have candid conversations with patients about their sexual behaviors.

July 17, 2020 | 1 min read

Person-Centered LGBTQ Care in the Pandemic Era

By Justin Fontenot, MSN, RN

Patient-centered care requires considering your patients’ wants and needs in their management. ALL patients deserve person-centered care.

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.

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.

February 18, 2025 | 3 min read

Screening for, diagnosing, and treating OCD

By Ghida Kassir, MD, University of Toronto, Canada

To accurately diagnose OCD, clinicians must move beyond general inquiries about "unwanted thoughts" and instead ask specific, sensitive questions about the diverse ways obsessions and compulsions can manifest. Effective treatment often includes a combination of medication and psychotherapy—specifically Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP).

March 29, 2021 | 2 min read

Validating Your Patient’s Experience of Chronic Pain

By Jocelyn Fitzgerald, MD, University of Pittsburgh

We must empathize with our patients who are suffering from chronic pain. Working with them to achieve a better quality of life may be a reasonable shared goal.

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.

June 1, 2023 | 3 min read

Meditations For Pride Month

By Hailey Haffey, PhD, University of Utah

LGBTQ2S+ Pride Month can provide us with a time not only to celebrate but also to reflect on questions related to shame and alliances in medicine.

The author having fun ice skating with colleagues at Patterson Park, Baltimore, Maryland.

February 25, 2019 | 5 min read

General Internal Medicine: An Opportunity to Engage Holistically

By Paul O'Rourke, MD, MPH, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

General internal medicine focuses on the importance of knowing and treating the whole patient. The entire patient, in their biopsychosocial context, must always be considered to provide high-quality, patient-centered care.

June 27, 2022 | 3 min read

Caring for people and their gender stories

By Hailey Haffey, PhD, University of Utah

To care for people is to care for the stories that shape them. Clinicians can enhance patients’ confidence in the healthcare system by skillfully engaging with their stories of gender and sexual orientation.

November 30, 2023 | 1 min read

STD knows not your DOB

By Jeffrey Millstein, MD, Penn Medicine

Sex can be an important part of life in older age. My patient reminded me to address STD prevention and other intimacy concerns consistently in all sexually active adults.

October 16, 2018 | 3 min read

The heart of trauma-informed care (archives, 2018)

Trauma-informed care means recognizing trauma’s prevalence and long-term effects; understanding its effects on patient behavior and engagement in care; prioritizing patient choice and collaboration while building trust; and offering education and resources to promote healing.

April 29, 2024 | 3 min read

A patient’s reflection on connecting with clinicians—what matters most

By Jennifer Ball, BSJ, MA, Chicago, IL

Empathy and cultural competence are cornerstones of excellent patient care. Prioritizing these values can help each patient feel respected, empowered, and supported.

September 6, 2018 | 3 min read

Intimate partner violence: How to start a conversation with patients and staff

By Michelle Patch, MSN, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Preparing and coaching your healthcare team to have open, honest dialogues with patients about intimate partner violence is essential. Failure to screen and address this matter is dangerous, while doing so can save lives.

October 6, 2021 | 2 min read

Helping Survivors of Intimate Partner Violence During COVID

By Jennifer Knetig, PhD, VA Northeast Ohio Healthcare, Kelly Buckholdt, PhD, Veterans Health Administration, Taylor Ceroni, PhD, Southeast Louisiana Veterans Health

Intimate partner violence has increased during the pandemic. Clinicians must ask patients about their safety and know where to refer.

August 9, 2018 | 4 min read

Becoming a better ally

By Mariah Robertson, MD, Johns Hopkins 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.

March 22, 2018 | 7 min read

Fundamentals for Caring for Transgender Patients

By Paula Neira, JD, MSN, RN, CEN, FAAN, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Improve your skills as you work to support your transgender patients and interact with your transgender colleagues.

March 27, 2023 | 10 min read

Ever forward: caring for patients who are transgender and gender-expansive

By Paula Neira, JD, MSN, RN, CEN, FAAN, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Treat all patients with dignity and respect and ask how they’d like to be addressed.

March 29, 2024 | 4 min read

Using affirming language with LGBTQIA+ patients

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

To show respect for patients, consider asking them about their gender identity, sexual orientation, and preferred pronouns.

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.

June 28, 2021 | 2 min read

Carrying Pride Month year-round (archives, 2021)

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

The skills with which we care for LGBTQ patients, including affirmation and support, will allow us to better care for ALL patients.

January 5, 2021 | 5 min read

Seeing and Healing Social Isolation

By Katherine Otto Chebly, MD, New York University

Social isolation and loneliness are established risk factors for disease and early death. Routinely asking about patients about their social support system (or lack thereof) allows us to give more effective care.

February 26, 2018 | 3 min read

Creating a welcoming experience for LGBTQ patients and families

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

Doing what has been done before will only lead to more of the same for patients who have been discriminated against in society and in healthcare. Be prepared to enter uncharted territory, seek to educate yourself about the unique healthcare needs of your patients.

June 12, 2023 | 3 min read

Art Makes Us Healthier And Happier

By Susan Magsamen, MAS, Johns Hopkins Medicine

The arts yield measurable benefits to physical and mental health. They provide a way to slow down, experience our emotions and become more whole.

March 28, 2019 | 6 min read

Integrating Psychology and Primary Care

By Benjamin Bensadon, PhD, University of Florida College of Medicine

Person-centeredness holds great potential to maximize healing in the way Osler envisioned more than a century ago. But to translate this concept clinically, psychology and medicine must come closer together. The closer we can come together, the closer we can come to Osler.

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.

March 21, 2024 | 2 min read

Young LGBTQ+ patients deserve more

By Brady Hanshaw, medical student, Harvard Medical School, Thara Nagarajan, MD, UCSF

36% of LGBTQ+ youth are unsure they’ll live until the age of 35. These mental health outcomes are even more severe for LGBTQ+ youth of color. It’s critical that clinicians create a safe space to talk about anxiety, depression, self-harm, and suicidal ideation.

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.

June 22, 2023 | 2 min read

Caring With Pride

By Corey Tapper, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

To ensure nonjudgmental and equitable care of LGBTQ+ patients, call and chart people by their preferred name and pronouns. I also wear a Pride flag lapel pin to show my support.

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.

Dr. Barry Solomon and his team work to create a safe space for teens at their practice.

April 12, 2018 | 3 min read

Creating a Safe Space For Teen Well Visits

By Barry Solomon, MD, MPH, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

Providing excellent care for adolescents includes creating a safe space for confidential discussions. The clinically excellent pediatrician is able to help support the teen to share sensitive concerns with parents and caregivers.

February 6, 2020 | 2 min read

Navigating Masculinity in Medicine

By Kultaj Kaleka, MD, RN, Central Michigan University

The clinically excellent physician understands that male patients may need support sharing their perspectives.

July 11, 2022 | 5 min read

Navigating Power Relations in Healthcare

By Hailey Haffey, PhD, University of Utah

We must be aware of the power we have in relation to our patients. This imbalance must only be used in the service of care.

August 16, 2021 | 3 min read

The Heart of Clinical Reasoning

By Susrutha “Sus” Kotwal, MBBS, MD, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Making a diagnostic error reminded me that connecting with patients on a personal level is necessary for optimal clinical reasoning.

"When the hospital is suspiciously quick to sweep everything about the error and suicide under the rug, Noah turns for guidance to the journal of his late father, a respected surgeon."

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.

March 2, 2020 | 3 min read

Universal trauma-informed care (archives, 2020)

By Sadie Elisseou, MD, Boston VA Health Care System

Understanding perpetrators of violence as potential trauma survivors can inspire empathy in clinicians and contribute to a universal, trauma-informed approach to patient care.

March 20, 2019 | 4 min read

Social History as Story

By Colleen Farrell, MD, New York University

We cannot understand our patients’ bodies if we do not understand something about who they are as human beings,