Emotional Content of Comics Drawn by Medical Students and Residents
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IN BRIEF REPORT
Emotional Content of Comics Drawn by Medical Students and Residents Theresa C. Maatman 1 Kathlyn E. Fletcher 1
&
Branden Vugrnick 1 & Colleen Manak 1 & Marika Wrzosek 1 & Craigan Usher 2 & Joni Williams 1 &
Received: 18 November 2019 / Accepted: 11 June 2020 # Academic Psychiatry 2020
Abstract Objective Medical students and residents face high rates of burnout. Drawing comics may help trainees process their experiences and feel both valued and connected to those who read their work. In this study, the authors sought to elucidate the predominant emotions and themes conveyed in medical students’ and residents’ comics about stressful situations. Methods In 10 different sessions, medical trainees drew “something stressful in medicine”. Collected comics were analyzed by three coders, who applied emotional adjectives. Differences were resolved through discussion, with one to two final codes per comic. Codes coded based on items objectively seen in the comic and were encouraged not to project what they would feel in that situation. Results Two hundred ninety comics were analyzed by our research group. “Overwhelmed” was the most common final code (101 comics, 34.8%). Other common adjectives used by our coders to describe the comics were “inadequate” (24, 8.2%), “frustrated” (21, 7.2%), and “helpless” (16, 5.5%). Twelve of the comics (4%) were considered non-codable because of difficulty deciphering the theme or print. Conclusions Brief comic exercises allowed medical trainees to convey what it is like to be “stressed out” in medical training— with trainees most often showing that they are/feel “overwhelmed,” “inadequate,” “frustrated,” and “helpless.” This demonstrates that medical students and residents convey these same emotions when reflecting on individual stressful experiences throughout their training. More research on whether graphic medicine for emotional and cognitive processing of stress makes an impact on burnout and satisfaction is warranted. Keywords Graphic medicine . Medical education . Comics . Stress
During medical training, trainees experience significant stress, which is demonstrated through high rates of emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and burnout [1]. Denial, reduced insight (due to depression or burnout), and fear of stigma are barriers to seeking help [2]. Some worry revealing true emotions, in their professional education, results in preceptors believing they cannot cope with actual practice environments [3]. Reflective writings from medical students demonstrate the need to suppress their emotions of powerful experiences [4]. It is necessary to find means of helping medical trainees * Theresa C. Maatman [email protected] 1
Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA
2
Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
process experiences and access emotions more central to learning. Art therapy has been used to help individuals struggling with stress and trauma [5]. Art therapy works by engaging alternate pathways in the brain [6]. Comics are a form of visua
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