Graphic Medicine and Radiology Nursing: Using Comics for Education and Stress Mitigation

Abstract

This article argues that comics can help to educate radiology patients and provide a stress mitigation tool for both patients and radiology nurses. Graphic medicine, Ian Williams's term for “the intersection of the medium of comics with the discourse of healthcare,” includes graphic narratives of illness by patients, providers, family members, or caregivers; it also includes comics for educational purposes. In patient or family narratives, fears or anxieties about impending procedures may be visualized, allowing for reader identification and empathy. Informational comics have also been found to be effective in preparing pediatric and adult populations for procedures. Finally, making comics can provide stress relief for nurses, allowing them to tell their own stories and to reflect on their experiences.