Graphic Medicine: Comics as a Patient Education Resource

Graphic medicine is a field of literature that integrates the use of comics into medical education and the delivery of healthcare. By emphasizing the role of art, relatability, and empathy in patient education materials, graphic medicine communicates the health experience in a novel way that conventional texts cannot. Whether intended for patients, caregivers, or healthcare providers, graphic medicine materials are beneficial for addressing health literacy, doctor-patient communication, and other challenges within the medical environment. This column seeks to define graphic medicine, discuss its role as an emerging patient education resource, and provide online resources for target audiences of the discipline.