Support
Wynne Smith
The drawing expresses a poignant consultation following a patient’s early miscarriage. The student artist was inspired by the sensitivity of the clinician’s support.
Whole Person Care, Year One, 2010
Support
Wynne Smith
I found this piece really moving, especially since I saw my own mother go through miscarriages and saw how much she relied on the doctor for support. The woman’s vulnerability comes through very poignantly and the void in her womb is extremely symbolic.
The simplicity of this piece, for me, made it so powerful. The image of the Doctor’s hand physically holding the woman up as she leans back into it, symbolically represents the supportive and intimate role of the doctor in helping this lady through her grief, and the deeply trusting relationship that exists between the doctor and patient. I found it particularly poignant that the stomach is simply represented as a black hole, demonstrating the depths of this woman’s grief, as a dark and empty space left within her.
This picture was very striking to me. The woman’s nudity and lack of facial features make her look so vulnerable, and the way the doctors hand fully supports her is so poignant. I think what really struck me as I looked at the picture was the doctors thumb on the empty womb. Something about the thumb is very symbolic – the way that only humans possess opposable thumbs, and the position of the thumb trying to fill the void seemed to really represent that raw grief of miscarriage unique to humanity.
At the time of miscarriage, this woman would have been experiencing a great amount of trauma and she would have had to be extremely strong. I believe this strength is shown in the fact that she is still standing. Though, it must be noted, that this wouldn’t be possible without the support of the doctor, for which the woman is actively reaching her hand back. So while she is able to stand, it is only possible with the aid of the doctor. I think that this demonstrates the importance of the Doctor-patient relationship and the sensitivity required in such situations, given the doctor’s thumb covering the woman’s womb, representing not only the duty of the doctor to keep it confidential but also the compassion of the doctor, almost protecting her when she is most vulnerable.
This painting reflects the fragility that is life. The hand suggests the doctor holding up the woman who is depicted in a calm yet saddened manner. The significance of the baby bump on the woman being shaded suggests the darkness and depression felt after a miscarriage and possibly how it radiates out to the rest of the body.
I think that this is a beautiful piece and really captures the influence health care professionals can have on a patient. Not only conventional care, but emotional and psychological support have huge impacts on the patients recovery and treatments. In such a traumatic experience, holistic care is vital. This is emulated through the supportive role of the hand and the vulnerability of the woman shown in the drawing.