Bob Arnold

I am a palliative care physician in Pittsburgh; other interests are books, music (lots of music) and sports

[VitalTalk @vitaltalk]

Our VitalTalk crew at ASCO last week!

We were honored to lead a session with such strong attendance and thoughtful engagement.

A huge thank you to everyone who attended, learned skills, asked questions, shared experiences, and contributed to such an important conversation.

[VitalTalk @vitaltalk]

So much of this work is made possible by this community.
Thank you to everyone who attended the 2026 Faculty Summit. We’re so grateful for the connection, learning, and shared commitment you bring. #VitalTalkFacultySummit

[VitalTalk @vitaltalk]

Family meetings can be complex, especially when perspectives differ.

Creating space for everyone to feel heard, while still centering the patient, is often where the most meaningful conversations happen.

[VitalTalk @vitaltalk]

More information isn’t always the answer.

Sometimes what’s needed most is a moment to slow down and make space for what the patient is experiencing.

[Carl Hendrick @C_Hendrick]

Great piece in the Athletic on @Doug_Lemov's influence beyond education. cc @baduria https://t.co/232iapK4Tb

[VitalTalk @vitaltalk]

The room is full again — and we love it!
We’re bringing back in-person VitalTalk faculty development, and the energy reminds us how powerful it is to learn and practice together.

Next up: new in-person courses in the Northeast and Chicago.
https://t.co/QrE4Zr0JUf

[Film & TV Shows @CinephileCentre]

One of the best plot twists in the tv history.

[Bob Arnold @rabob]

A really interesting read from @sahilbloom on why the last 5% is where excellent work is created.

The Energy-Output Curve https://t.co/FfbYtAhr9A

[Doug Lemov @Doug_Lemov]

Students who regularly experience "sustained cognitive activity"--focused, directed, uninterrupted thinking, reading and writing--during the school day develop better "cognitive endurance" that is, they learn to productively focus on tasks for longer.

https://t.co/eyz4u0qn4w

[Teach Like a Champion @TeachLikeAChamp]

In our latest Substack, we kick off a Positive Framing series with Live in the Now. Focusing on the next step, rather than what went wrong, helps students refocus and take clear action, especially during the last week before winter break.

https://t.co/AZA71D8qGw

[Adam Grant @AdamMGrant]

It's time to remove laptops from classrooms.

24 experiments: Students learn more and get better grades after taking notes by hand than typing. It's not just because they're less distracted—writing enables deeper processing and more images.

The pen is mightier than the keyboard.

[Journal of Palliative Medicine @PalliativeMed_j]

@PalliativeMed_j study describes the development, implementation, and assessment of GITalk, a novel serious illness conversation training for GI fellows https://t.co/Vk5RUVBNOk Alan Noll, @rabob et al

[Ms. Benison- @BenisonMrs]

“Learning is a change in long-term memory.

This means learning doesn’t necessarily happen how or when we think it does."

[Learning & the Brain @learningandtheb]

Are you concerned about the #teens in your life?

Happily, our blogger writes, "noted researcher Dr. David Yeager has wise thoughts – and LOTS of research – to give us hope. His recent book 10 to 25: The Science of Motivating Young People will guide and inspire teachers and school leaders."

https://t.co/FlNhknnXsg

[VitalTalk @vitaltalk]

We’re proud to congratulate Dr. Gretchen Schwarze on her election to the National Academy of Medicine — honoring her pioneering Best Case/Worst Case framework, which has transformed how surgeons communicate with patients about complex treatment decisions.
https://t.co/nuC1GPLHgW

[Doug Lemov @Doug_Lemov]

This is fascinating. And further evidence that if you work in education you should be following @C_Hendrick

[Doug Lemov @Doug_Lemov]

We have a responsibility as educators to create a kind of learning tension, a benign and caring version of stress that will help young people focus, grow and thrive.

https://t.co/nxclSoas6Y

[Pitt General Internal Medicine @PittGIM]

.@GinaPiscitello spoke with @medpagetoday about a review she led that found a lack of uniformity surrounding US laws guiding clinician decision-making for initiating or maintaining life-sustaining treatment.

Read it here: https://t.co/jbEycBlBTh

[VitalTalk @vitaltalk]

Coming soon: Informed Conversations: Skills for Clinical Trial Discussions—our new course with Fox Chase Cancer Center to help clinicians lead clear, compassionate discussions about clinical trial participation.
https://t.co/aCNNEXM8v8