Medical cartoons are a great way to let others know that laughter
can be one of the best ways to deal with illness. While using medical
cartoons in your practice is a bit risky, it can be highly successful
if used right. For starters, you probably should not use them if you
have patients who are acutely ill as these people have little time to
adjust to their illness. For those who are chronically ill, however,
learning to joke and accept the lighter side of the illness can be
really beneficial.
Medical cartoons can help these people
learn to live their lives around the illness instead of having it
control everything they do. Sometimes when people have been diagnosed
with something that they will face their entire lives, it may seem
daunting. A little humor in these situations will help the patient feel
a little better about the situation. He or she may even think back on
the cartoon fondly in the months to come. These cartoons may be the
first step to realizing that one can still have a life with a chronic
illness.
Medical cartoons can be put up in a number of places
to keep patients occupied as well. Some obstetrical offices put them on
the ceiling, for example, so that patients can look at them during
examinations. Because so many women worry about their exams, the
cartoons can help keep their minds off the exam. Another place to put
the cartoons may be on the walls of each exam room. Patients will be
able to read the cartoons while they are waiting for their exams to
begin. Something like this to occupy the patient will keep him or her
from fidgeting and fretting over the exam so much. A relaxed patient
will be better able to assist in answering questions from the doctor.