Ian Williams, a graphic artist, physician, and humanist, coined the term “graphic medicine” to describe “the interaction between the medium of comics and the discourse of healthcare.” Writing in BMJ (2010;340:c863), Michael J Green and Kimberly R Meyers argue that “graphic stories have an important role in patient care, medical education, and the social critique of the medical profession.” The juxtaposition of text and image, they claim, helps to lead to a “visceral understanding” that normal narratives cannot.
The HS/HSL has started a new collection of these innovative texts. Titles include Graphic Medicine Manifesto, Pain is Really Strange, and Bad Doctor: The Troubled Life and Times of Dr. Iwan James. They are shelved on the first floor of the Library next to the Leisure Reading Collection. The collection is small, but will grow over time. We would be happy to hear any suggestions you might have for new content.