Graphic Medicine refers to any comic or graphic novel that aids in healthcare communication—be they from the medical professional or patient’s perspective. Whatever your stance is on the healthcare debate, one thing is clear, we need better communication and greater engagement around the issue of health literacy. Unfortunately, many people continue to have negative stereotypes about comics and their dependability in areas of serious study. Last year at Tufts University’s Hirsh Health Sciences Library, I created a Graphic Medicine section and we have received nothing but positive feedback from our patrons. Medical professionals, patients, health advocates, educators, and librarians have begun encouraging the use of comics in healthcare. This presentation will provide you with the history of the collection, its benefits for your community, general overview of the titles and topics covered, and show you how it would behoove any library, public or academic, to create and promote a Graphic Medicine collection for the exchange and education of all health-related issues.
