Stanford Medicine 25

10/03/2025

"The lesson didn't have to be that tears were a source of shame," writes Stanford Department of Medicine's Shireen Heidari in a piece for Chest Journal. "Our humanity was part of what drew us to train to be healers in the first place. That day, a family trusted our recommendation because of it."

Her article, "Permission to Cry," focuses on harnessing the power of emotions to connect with patients:

I was standing by the service elevators when I finally burst into tears. It was Saturday morning, and I had been at the hospital before the sun. Rounds had taken almost 5 hours. I remember standing outside the last patient’s room fidgeting with the edge of my plastic badge, relieved that I had sur...

09/25/2025

Consider beginning all physical exams by reaching for your patient's right hand with both of yours! Inspect it and then move to the radial pulse. This is a nice way to ease into an exam — you're beginning with the equivalent of a handshake!

Examining the hand can also lead to a number of important diagnoses, such as liver disease, kidney disease and more.

See our approach to the hand exam here: https://stanford.io/2W0rLgO

09/23/2025

Check out our quick tip sheet on the knee physical exam, which can provide valuable information that helps determine if imaging studies may be helpful.

More on the knee exam: https://stan.md/46dYMs1

09/18/2025

In observance of , we're taking a closer look at the re**al physical exam, which helps identify causes of re**al bleeding or signs of cancer.

Visit https://stanford.io/4e81J06 to see our guide to the exam, which includes:

-Re**al exam technique
-Suggested patient positioning
-Tips for palpation and more

09/15/2025

In the new book "Masterclass in Medicine: Lessons from the Experts," National Academy of Medicine members, including Stanford Department of Medicine's Michelle Barry, offer insights on intangible skills related to patient care.

"At the most fundamental level, any physician can bring a nonjudgmental mindset, and deep sense of humility and empathy to every patient encounter," Barry says.

"By listening to patient stories and understanding their cultural contexts, doctors can use that knowledge to advocate for better, more comprehensive and compassionate care regardless of a patient's wealth or background."

Read more:

By Jamie Durana

09/05/2025

When I match conversation style, all of my patients tend to tell me that they appreciate the way I communicate with them," says George Washington University family medicine health policy research fellow Aerial Petty, DO.

Read more in this Medscape article on how Gen Z doctors connect with younger patients and what can be learned from their approach:

How Gen Z doctors engage with younger patients — and how you can too.

09/03/2025

Check out our new video with Kathleen Poston, Chief of Movement Disorders and Director of the Parkinson's Center at Stanford!

Here, she discusses why observation is critical in the initial diagnosis of Parkinson's Disease. This video also features a real patient who shares his experience.

Stanford Director of Parkinson's Center presents the Parkinson's disease physical exam and shows why observing your patient is critical in the initial diagno...

08/29/2025

Comedian, ophthalmologist and survivor of sudden cardiac death Will Flanary (also known as Dr. Glaucomflecken) will share his unique insights on the human side of medicine during Stanford Department of Medicine's Medical Grand Rounds on Sept. 5 at 12 p.m.

This event is open to the Stanford community on the Stanford campus, with satellite locations throughout the Bay Area, including the VA Hospital, Tri-Valley Hospital, Hoover Pavilion and Redwood City. For those who absolutely cannot attend in person at any location, you can request Zoom access here:

If you need permanent access to the Medicine Grand Rounds Zoom link, please sign up below and indicate your reason for requesting permanent Zoom access. If you only need temporary access to the Medicine Grand Rounds Zoom link for any reason (travel, personal, etc.), please watch the recording that w...

08/27/2025

The Parkinson's Foundation estimates that 1.1 million Americans are currently living with Parkinson's disease. While there is currently no cure, early diagnosis and intervention can improve outcomes.

Diagnosis depends on careful clinical evaluation of patient history, physical findings and symptoms. The following notes and resources aim to help medical learners recognize and diagnose this common neurological condition:

Explore physical exam resources from Stanford Medicine 25 to help diagnose Parkinson’s disease—a growing neurological condition affecting millions.

08/25/2025

"Making accurate and timely diagnoses requires more than just technology—it requires listening, observation, careful thought, judgment, and time," writes Stanford Medicine 25's Andrew Elder in an opinion piece for BMJ.

"Uncertainty often prevails — and the ability to manage that is not learnt from any textbook."

More in his article emphasizing that there are no shortcuts in medicine and patient-centered care: https://bit.ly/4mA4Lhx

08/21/2025

How do you perform a cardiac ultrasound at the bedside?

Here's a quick look at how Andre Kumar uses point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) to evaluate heart function in real time—showing both probe positioning and live echo views.

🎥 Watch the full video for a step-by-step breakdown https://bit.ly/4fovqvg

08/19/2025

As one of the most important physical exams, the pulmonary exam is taught extensively in early medical training. However, it is often later neglected, apart from auscultation.

Percussion and inspection are equally valuable techniques that can help diagnose many lung abnormalities, such as pleural effusions, emphysema, pneumonia and others.

Check out Stanford Medicine 25's guide to percussion and inspection in the pulmonary exam: https://stanford.io/2mYkHlb