Group 24
The idea behind our piece entitled ‘To Act in the Best Interest of the Patient’ (a term commonly heard in the medical profession) is a visual representation of how stressful life as a doctor can be; we want to acknowledge the difficulties of our profession as future doctors. The background represents a doctor’s role in the community. The thank you letters show how doctors have helped so many people, changing their lives for the better. Their caring and prescriptive roles are shown by the test results and prescriptions making up the background, and the medical certificate symbolises the hard work and determination a doctor puts into their work for their patients.
This is contrasted with the charcoal outline of a skeleton which reflects how doctors, just like their patients, are humans too – made out of flesh and bone. If we don’t look after ourselves, let work and stress pile up – indicated by the stethoscope wound tightly around the neck, then this neglect will no doubt have an adverse effect on our patients and ourselves. This is presented in our art by the skeleton bleeding and the muted darker tones of the background and skeleton, allow the stark red that drips down from the stethoscope to stand out and catch the eye. The phrase ‘worked to the bone’ also inspired this piece, and by allowing the background to come through between the skeleton indicates how easily we can get lost behind our jobs and our duty to care for the patient. As doctors we want to treat, but the main message of our piece is that to be helpful and treat to the best of our abilities, it is important not to neglect the most crucial patient: ourselves.
Foundations of Medicine Conference 2018 Creative Piece Prize-winner.
This work was presented by Chloe, Nancy and Chelsea at a UoB/Bristol Museum and Art Gallery event ‘Leonardo: Between Art & Medicine’ led by the UoB History of Art Department in April 2019. The event included presentations from diverse disciplines, and ‘To Act in the Best Interests of the Patient was later shared in a temporary exhibition alongside the touring ‘Leonardo’s Drawings’. Following informal viewing and discussion a medical educator requested that she shared this work in her medical humanities programme at the University of Girona.
I find this art piece extremely poignant. It twists the classic image of a doctor with a stethoscope into something a bit darker. The distressing imagery of the skeleton being strangled represents this idea that a career as a doctor is a massive undertaking, and without prioritising yourself above the job there can be dire consequences to both your mental and physical health. Doctors are human too and sometimes it can be easy to forget this as a patient. Ultimately, “to act in the best interests of the patient” you must maintain your own health first. I really like the use of mixed media to create this piece. The build up from a background of certificates and thank you letters in dull tones, contrasts starkly with the harsh skeleton and dripping blood, creating a piece of art that really stands out and grabs your attention.
I find this art piece extremely poignant. It twists the classic image of a doctor with a stethoscope into something a bit darker. The distressing imagery of the skeleton being strangled represents this idea that a career as a doctor is a massive undertaking, and without prioritising yourself above the job there can be dire consequences to both your mental and physical health. Doctors are human too and sometimes it can be easy to forget this as a patient. Ultimately, “to act in the best interests of the patient” you must maintain your own health first. I really like the use of mixed media to create this piece. The build up from a background of certificates and thank you letters in dull tones, contrasts starkly with the harsh skeleton and dripping blood, creating a piece of art that really stands out and grabs your attention.
I found this piece particularly interesting because of the sketched overlay on top of the skull which struck me as different perceptions of the same individual.
The individual person with unique personality traits and aspiring goals which is lightly sketched in comparison to the hard drawn doctor, who is clinically trained and viewed by the patient as someone in an idolised position.
This is emphasised by the stethoscope wrapped round the neck of the person; medicine is often seen as a demanding career that almost consumes the other things in your life such as social interactions and relationships, the stethscope threatens to strangle the other aspects of the invidual out of existence.
I was immediately struck by the harsh outline of the charcoal skeleton. Additionally, the subversion of the traditional medical saying ‘To Act in the Best Interests of the Patient’ with a striking image of a suffocating skeleton really struck me. The doctor is literally being suffocated by their own job – the stethoscope being a classic representation of a doctor. Additionally, the bright red colour of the blood on an otherwise darker piece of art really stands out. This, combined with the collection of thank you notes and certificates in the background, show how hard the doctor has worked and what they have had to do to get where they are. Yet this also tells us that despite always looking out for the patient’s best interests, the doctor has neglected to care for their own best interests. This image shows what effect a lack of self care can have on the doctor in a job as stressful as medicine and thus how important it is to maintain an appropriate level of self-care such that it does not affect our ability to work.
The first thing that caught my attention in this piece was the stethoscope wound tightly around the neck and collarbones of the skeleton; usually it’s a symbol of medicine and healing but here it has the opposite effect and it’s causing pain and distress. Then looking at the background you notice the various thank you letters and certificates, again items that have happy or joyful connotations, but used here in a more negative way. They show how despite all the good work doctors are doing it is having a detrimental effect on them, illustrated further by the charcoal drawing of the skeleton showing the doctors working themselves almost to death. I think the message conveyed by this piece, that we must not neglect ourselves, is incredibly important since so many doctors and other healthcare professionals struggle with their health due to overworking, exhaustion and burn out. It reminds us that we need to prioritise our own health so that we can care most effectively for others.
This piece provides a striking visual representation of what life can entail as a doctor. The focal point of this piece is probably the stethoscope wound around the skeleton’s neck, with this portrayal likely symbolising the all-consuming nature of the career. It is interesting that the artist chose to display a skeleton in this piece, this perhaps representing the erosion of the doctor’s sense of self, which is being stripped, quite literally, of any distinction. The backdrop of NHS letters, patient ‘thank you cards’ and a medical registration certificate suggest the constancy of medicine within the doctor’s life. My favourite part of this piece, however, is the inclusion of the second skull facing outwards. I believe this skull reflects the public facing aspect to the doctor’s life, further suggesting that the doctor cannot escape their professional responsibilities.
I find this artwork particularly interesting as it illustrates the many roles of a doctor in such a visually striking manner. The background collage of thank you letters, test results and prescriptions emphasises the significance of a doctor as a clinical practitioner and highlights the public’s appreciation of their work. This, along with the title of the artwork, portrays how a doctor acts in the best interests of the patient and the gratitude they receive in return. Yet the skeleton at the forefront of the picture illustrates how heavy a burden this can be. The simple charcoal outline of the skeleton contrasting with the detailed colourful collage illustrates the way in which a doctor’s job and can become a more significant part of the doctor’s identity than the individual themselves, particularly as the skeleton is a universal structure with no identity or individuality expressed. Further, the stethoscope bound around the skeleton’s neck and causing the bones to bleed signifies the pressure and pain doctors can experience through their work, both physical and mental. With the skeleton being at the forefront of the artwork, it may be inferred that while acting in the patient’s best interests may be important and rewarding, the job of a doctor is still a backdrop to oneself as an individual, and it is paramount to take care of yourself before you can care effectively for others.
This piece is really moving because it highlights the tough reality of being a doctor. There is a wide view that being a doctor means not being able to ask for help and suffering in silence. This piece reflects on the consequences of this mindset and really shocks the viewer into realising that we are all the same regardless of our job. This is emphasised by the stethescope around the neck; this is a jarring image to see especially since a stethescope is seen as a symbol for healthcare but here it is acting as the cause of ill health. I see that as a representation of the rising suicide rates in the medical profession and the lack of help and awareness surrounding it. The letters and the certificate visible in the background show that medicine is engulfing the doctor’s life and that they are unable to take a break for the good of the patients.
The first thing I noticed about this piece was the extreme contrast between the title and the overall tone of the piece. In the picture, the stethoscope causing harm to the doctor, whilst the doctor must still act in the best interest of the patient, emphasises the real stress this profession can cause. It represents the negative effects caused by not taking time to look after yourself as a doctor. The background consists of muted tones and medical related letters, illustrating that life as a doctor can sometimes be a bit tedious. The blood imagery and the representation of the doctor as a skeleton both highlight the fact that doctors are humans too and for them to ‘act in the best interest of the patient’ they must make sure they have looked after themselves first. In conclusion, I think this piece is a true illustration of what being a doctor can entail; it stresses the importance of the doctor’s wellbeing, so they are able to perform to the standard a doctor should.
I was initially struck by this piece because of the stethoscope wound tightly around the doctor’s neck, portraying the harsh reality of what the stresses of being a doctor may cause them to feel like. Furthermore, the doctor is simply shown as a skeleton with no emotions, portraying the mental toll of simply ‘acting in the best interest of the patient’ may take on a doctor. Contrasted to this, the background is filled with letters of appreciation for the doctor, showing the value their work has and its positive effect on the public’s lives. However, those are behind the emotionless skeleton, so despite the appreciation the doctor gets, they still seem overwhelmed by the physical and mental demands of the job. I therefore liked this piece as it shows the good and bad of being a doctor, and the true effects the job can have.
I was drawn to this piece as it highlights to me one of the most important things to remember as a doctor which is to look after yourselves. The patient is always seen as the top priority but in order to give them the best quality of care as well as having good mental health you have to look after yourself. This is shown in the doctor only being a skeleton with a stethoscope tight around his neck and the blood dripping. The workload as well as the emotional impact that patients can have on you can have a massive effect on you. The piece however also highlighs the positive impact on patients lives with the thank you letters and prescriptions which contrasts the stethoscope and bleeding entirely.
This piece is very moving as it shows the vulnerability of doctors which can be easily forgotten not only by the population in general but also by the doctor themselves. The extreme levels of responsibility placed on doctors can get overwhelming and even suffocating like depicted in this painting. I also really like the background. The different colours give it a chaotic feel while the writing suggests that even at their lowest the doctors will continue to work to do what is best for the patient.
I was drawn to this piece of art because I thought it was quite an interesting way of depicting the stressful, never-ending work of a doctor. The artist has taken the classic image of a stethoscope around a doctor’s neck and shown it as strangling the doctor, showing that the doctor is being harmed by the level of work he has to do. As well as this, the doctor portrayed as a skeleton tells us how being a doctor can almost be lifeless – all the work is devoted to the patients and is done in their best interest, no matter how tired or stressed you are. I thought it was interesting how in the background there’s multiple Thank you cards and letters which shows the public perspective doctors, in that they are massively appreciated.
Overall I think the image depicts both the good and the bad side of being a doctor – you get the positives of being able to save lives but at the same time it is a relentless job in which you have to donate 100% of your time and effort into patients, which can take a mental and physical toll.
I found this piece of artwork particularly interesting due to the slightly dark undertones of how being a doctor can affect someone so drastically. It highlights the importance of not only just focusing on the patient but also ensuring that doctors are taking care of themselves. The stethoscope which represents the medical profession is usually seen as a tool to help others whereas in this circumstance, it is instead being used as a noose. The letters illustrate how patients appreciate doctors and emphasises the importance of doctors. Yet the harsh charcoal outline of the skeleton contrasts the letters and represents the burden that doctors have.
I find the stethoscope wrapped around the neck a particularly powerful indication of how the profession can affect doctors. I appreciate the mix of media in the background, showing both the personal, caring role of a doctor and also their more formal duties (such as prescribing), and given the transparency of the doctors skeleton I think it symbolises really nicely how their professional role can interfere and affect their personal lives and potentially their own health too, as indicated by the blood.
This artwork immediately caught my attention due to the poignant nature of the image; the bold red colour used as blood juxtaposes the charcoal and sepia tones of the rest of the artwork, highlighting the difference between the stresses of life as a doctor, and how doctors must present themselves professionally to the public.
It also expresses the demanding and intense nature of medicine as both a career and a degree. The artists used the phrase ‘worked to the bone’, conveying the importance of doctors caring for their own health, both physical and mental, as to provide the best care to their patients; this also links to the idea that doctors are patients too.
The thank you letters in the background really show the gratitude and appreciation the public has for doctors. They also reminded me of the notion that when a patient is in need of a doctor, it may be the most important day of their month, when their healthcare worries can be addressed by an expert; however, to the doctor, it is just another day at work.
This piece is very captivating with lots of things going on, from the collage of the background to the charcoal skeleton and the bland yet harsh paint strokes, which I think accurately represents the busy nature of working as a doctor, and in the best interests of the patient. The skeleton outline seems to convey the lack of vitality that comes along with the job and its stressful and sometimes toxic environment, as it lacks the key components of life (the other anatomical features such as organs). This toxic environment is shown by the stethoscope strangling the skeleton and causing it physical pain. The juxtaposition of helping patients yet hurting yourself as a doctor in the process is beautifully represented here. However, I think that the certificate and the thank you letters placed behind this skeleton show the motivating factors that help doctors to carry on, as it shows they are making a worthwhile difference in their patients’ lives, which is inspiring to see. Acting in the best interests of the patient is at the forefront of the responsibilities of a doctor, and this, in part, is represented by the letters, test results and prescriptions in the collage, but I like that the biggest feature of this piece is the effect on the doctor, which is so often overlooked.
The artwork really highlights the the highs and lows of working as a doctor. The thank you letters signify the some of the most rewarding aspects of working as a doctor, seeing a patient go back home to their families better and well, and later being wrote to about how much the patients are grateful. End of the day doctors act in the best interests of the patient by making the right choices on how they should be treated.However with that it can be a very difficult decision and doctors may have to have very uncomfortable conversations with patients which can be overwhelming. I feel this has been expressed in the art piece with stethoscope. At first glance, the stethoscope around the neck you would think that reflects authority and professionalism, however looking at it longer you realise it is positioned almost as if it is strangling or suffocating. The blood dripping from the skeleton could symbolise the deaths of patients they have treated and how that has impacted them mentally. It could also act as a reminder than doctors are not emotionless people but are humans that are able to feel and connect. The use of the skeleton instead of a whole body could symbolise the deterioration of doctors’ mental health and how at busy and stressful times doctors can forget to acknowledge and priories their own health and wellbeing.
This piece is extremely emotive. It draws on the often-ignored, fact that the decisions and options presented by the doctor not only impact the patient but impact the doctor personally. This is well demonstrated in the juxtaposed meaning of the stethoscope. A symbol of life, yet in this case strangling the doctor and preventing them from breathing. The literature in the back of the piece is also very interesting. Despite the fact that the doctor feels like they’re internally ‘dying’ due to the stethoscope strangling them, the background is filled with notes of appreciation and their medical registration certificate – this is in the background to remind the doctor to keep going. Despite their feelings of depression in the present, they must remember all the good that they have done in their career in order to get to the point at which they have made it.
I found this artwork to be extremely moving and it evoked strong emotions in me. Firstly, the thank you letters around the doctor show the positive aspects of the job. These letters indicate that the doctor is clearly making a positive impact on the lives of many of their patients. Furthermore, the medical certificate shows how hard the doctor works in order to achieve this level of care for their patients. However, the fact that the skeleton is on the foreground of this image shows that even though the doctor is clearly helping many of his patients, they still feel lifeless due to the constant pressure and stress. The stethoscope around the doctors neck indicates the mental pain that doctors can feel during their work which leads to these high levels of stress. Doctors themselves can often mentally feel the pain of their patients which continues to build up until they feel entirely overwhelmed and almost numb, as shown by the stethoscope around the neck of the skeleton which can no longer feel pain. The fact that the blood in this piece is in stark contrast to the background and the skeleton emphasises the pain caused to the doctor as it stands out compared to the rest of the artwork.