"The thyroidectomy story": comic books, graphic novels, and the novel approach to teaching head and neck surgery through the genre of the comic book

Graphic Novels and Comics in Undergraduate and Graduate Medical Students Education: A Scoping Review

There is an increasing use of graphic novels and comics (GnCs) in medical education, especially-but not only-to provide students with a vicarious learning experience in some areas of clinical medicine (palliative care, difficult communication, and rare diseases). This scoping review aimed to answer questions about how GnCs are used, the theories underlying their use, and the learning outcomes. Twenty-nine articles were selected from bibliographic databases and analyzed. A thematic analysis revealed four many themes: learning outcomes, students' reactions, theories and methods, and use of GnCs as vicarious learning. GnCs can support the achievement of cognitive outcomes, as well as soft skills and professionalism. The reactions were engagement and amusement, but drawing comics was also perceived as a protected space to express concerns. GnCs proved to be a possible way to provide a vicarious experience for learning. We found two classes of theories on the use of GnCs: psychological theories based on the dual concurrent coding of text and images and semiotics theories on the interpretation of signs. All the studies but two were single arm and observational, quantitative, qualitative, or mixed. These results suggest that further high-quality research on the use of GnC in medical training is worthwhile.

An examination of portrayals of smoking in graphic novels/comic books: A picture is worth a thousand words

INTRODUCTION

Smoking continues to extract an unacceptably high toll in Ireland in terms of both mortality and morbidity. Therefore, attention needs to focus on examining pro-smoking influences on teenagers and young adults, as most smokers start smoking before the age of 21 years. Given that this critical period is one of identity formation and assertion of adulthood, it is useful to look at media representation of smoking. One form of increasingly pervasive media that may require further examination is that of the portrayal of smoking in graphic novels. The broad appeal of graphic novels has been well noted, particularly to those aged under 35 years.

METHODS

This research examined a random selection of ten graphic novels chosen from the main library in a provincial Irish City. The novels were examined on a panel-by-panel basis for images of smokers. Smokers were coded by gender.

RESULTS

Analysis identified a total of 526 panels depicting smoking. Substantial variation was noted in the number of smoking images between novels, varying from 0 to 267. A dramatic difference in the number of male to female smokers was observed, the ratio being approximately 17:1.

CONCLUSIONS

Graphic novels must be considered as a potentially significant source of portrayals of smoking to adolescent and young adult readers of this form of literature.

Agricultural Safety Comic Book for Latinx Migrant Families: Development and Evaluation

INTRODUCTION

Comic books and graphic novels have been used in health education. The youth of migrant and seasonal agricultural workers are highly vulnerable to the health hazards associated with agricultural work and the migrant workers' itinerant home environment.

METHOD

The purpose of the study was to create a bilingual, culturally specific educational comic book to inform families of safety issues in youth hand-harvesting agricultural work and provide anticipatory guidance safety tips for agricultural work camp residence. In a mixed-methods design, a multistate and multidisciplinary team used focus groups to obtain the voice of potential users regarding the strengths and weaknesses of the comic book prototype and scales on satisfaction, helpfulness, and usability.

RESULTS

Focus group participants contributed constructive criticism to modify the prototype. Quantitative surveys found the comic book to be satisfactory, helpful, and highly usable.

DISCUSSION

This report describes the steps in the creation of the comic book that can be used for health promotion education.

In Your Own Words: Toward a More Perfect Union of Patient Care and Education

Communication with patients and their families is a challenge for busy trainees. It is essential, however, that these trainees learn effective communication skills to create rapport with their patients, to add to their own satisfaction in caring for these patients and to use these conversations to constantly reassess their plans for treating their patients. Reflecting on the plans for and the outcomes of the care of their patients will also significantly enhance the educational value of the participation of trainees in this patient care, while simultaneously improving the care of both their current and their future patients. Finally, gaining facility in elaborating on their plans for and the delivery of patient care will help trainees become more articulate and thoughtful practitioners.