2014 Graphic Narratives

Deb Tomazin

This is the 6th edition of “Graphic Storytelling and Medical Narratives,” a series of short comics produced by medical students at Penn State College of Medicine. Eight 4th-year medical students enrolled in a Humanities elective course worked for 4 weeks to create these comics. The course was developed as a way to use comics as a vehicle for reflecting about the medical profession and a way for students to creatively express themselves and share their experiences. These comics use text and images to demonstrate themes such as empathy, the doctor-patient relationship, communication, and a variety of emotional responses to illness. Although most of the students have little or no experience drawing comics, they nevertheless produce heartfelt stories that are often funny, moving, and universally revealing of the culture of medicine in which the students are immersed. I hope you enjoy this edition of medical student comics. Michael Green, M.D. Course Director