Graphic Medicine

What is Graphic Medicine?

Graphic medicine is a term coined by Dr. Ian Williams--comic artist, clinician, and founder of GraphicMedicine.org--to refer to "the intersection between the medium of comics and the discourse of healthcare" (Graphic Medicine Manifesto 2015). While the phrase uses "medicine", the definition encompasses a broader view of health and healthcare. 

Graphic medicine can include, but is certainly not limited to, the following:

• graphic novels of patient, provider, or caregiver narratives
• health education materials combining words and images
• single panel comics in social media posts about experiences in the healthcare system
• art therapy to aid in healing
• animation, with sequential images and text telling a story
• and many others!

Why is Graphic Medicine Important?

Graphic medicine can be useful for patients, caregivers, and the general public as well as health professionals in various fields. 

Patients, caregivers, and the general public could find graphic medicine useful for:

• reducing stigma
• reflecting on experiences
• sharing unique experiences with new audiences
• critiquing the health care system 
• exposing health disparities
• improving health literacy
• building community 

Health professionals could find graphic medicine useful for:

• encouraging empathy for both patients and other health professionals
• reflecting and finding meaning in experiences
• sharing unique experiences with new audiences
• critiquing the health care system
• improving health education and patient/caregiver communication
• building community