Graphic Medicine: what it is and how it can contribute to Internal Medicine

Abstract

Abstract

Internal medicine is essentially a general specialty with an integrative approach that considers patients as a whole, taking into account their physical, psychological, and social circumstances. This approach, which goes beyond the organic, is linked to the humanistic vision of medicine. This aspect is inherent in our training, but it seems to have been forgotten due to scientific and technical developments in the medical profession in recent decades. In this context, Graphic Medicine has emerged as a discipline that advocates for a return to humanism while emphasizing the importance of adequately communicating information to those who approach the healthcare system. This discipline is a movement that promotes using comics, illustrations, and infographics as tools for healthcare communication. While comics sporadically accompanied medicine in the 20th century, a large number of works have appeared since the 2000s whose main objective is to depict illness and its impact on patients and their environments. These publications are produced by individuals with illnesses or by family members and friends who have witnessed the illness process. However, graphic medicine can also be used by healthcare professionals for other purposes, such as scientific disclosure, teaching, or research. This variety of approaches and perspectives enriches and complements the work of our specialty. This article is a narrative review of graphic medicine and includes some contributions from the healthcare sector in Ourense.