To be true to one another in the good times and in bad, in sickness and in health
Mihir Patel
This work reflects the comforting value any relationship has on a human being bearing the hardships of sickness and ill health, in particular marriage. I was fortunate enough to meet this amazing couple during a home visit. Sarah* had a lot to teach us because she required constant supplemental oxygen. Initially her conditions significantly affected her life. She had to leave her job, she was becoming increasingly unconfident and her condition hampered her enthusiasm to leave the house. Deterioration of her health almost seemed inevitable. However, I was quickly told by Sarah that being on oxygen doesn’t affect her enjoyment of life anymore. Hearing this I was quite shocked considering respiratory conditions can often be the most debilitating. I would later learn a lot of this optimism could be credited to Mike, Sarah’s husband. Whether it was persistently nagging Sarah to get up from her chair or it was carrying two scuba-esque oxygen tanks on his back to allow Sarah to go for a walk, Mike has really played a major role in keeping Sarah afloat and sharing the burden of her condition. I chose to reflect on this particular encounter as I felt it taught me a lot about how family and loved ones play a massive role in rehabilitation with family members often taking up the role as caregiver. Positive attitudes and reinforcement from family members can inspire patients’ commitment to recovery and help them adapt to new physical challenges or limitations. They also help patients deal with issues of self-esteem related to their condition.
The creative medium I chose was a pencil drawing because pencil marks can be both bold or delicate (and my piece required a lot of erasing). I chose to use curved lines to symbolise the comfort and ease in their relationship while using more straight lines in the image of sickness to reflect an understanding that sickness can make relationships more difficult. Purposefully using continuous lines creates and reinforces the concept that relationships are always connected to health in some way, whether it be physical health, mental health or health behaviours. In each distinct image, there are always two people present because a key message I learnt from Sarah and Mike is that in situations where you hope for the best recovery, the person who is ‘ill’ should never feel alone. Whether that be relatives and friends, or it be doctors and nurses, support and words of encouragement are needed during recovery and can sometimes be undervalued.
*I have changed names and details for confidentiality purposes
Shortlisted for a Creative Assignment Prize 2019 – 2020
This piece really drew me in, and after reading the description, I grew to like it even more. I think that exploring the support network for patients and their rehabilitation is very important, and through connecting this back to a clinical experience, it only makes the piece more powerful and impactful. In particular, the idea of using line-art for this piece connects all the ideas amazingly and makes for a beautiful piece! 🙂
The beautiful use of one continuous line emphasises the unbreakable connection in marriage. We can see how the artist depicts sickness and health referring back to the title and marriage. The artist has used the single line as a metaphor for time. The viewer is taken on a journey though this relationship and time as we follow the line. Branches appear in the line cleverly showing how relationships are rarely smooth sailing and there is a particular part where the line becomes coiled and mixed up. This part shows the viewer the struggles of marriage however ultimately prevailing and returning to the loving couple on their wedding day.
This is a beautiful piece of artwork that reflects how patient recovery is heavily influenced by the support systems around them. It is easy to assume that rehabilitation only involves healthcare staff when in reality family and friends can also be very important people for a patient when they are struggling, as highlighted by the images of the husband and wife together as well as the patient being with the doctor. The simplicity of using pencil medium drew me in as I think it reflects how simple, everyday things like going for a walk can often be a key factor in what keeps a person going, and although it isn’t something we’d see as a ‘tradition’ treatment, it can improve their condition more than we think. However, the complexity of some of the lines, particularly those in the top left corner really encapsulates how health varies day by day, and how illness is complicated. What stood out to me the most was how all of the lines are joined, which reflects how healthcare is a journey with ups and downs, with many different people, staff, treatments, medicines etc involved, and yet it is all connected. The fact that all of the characters are faceless shows that these experiences are not individual but rather something many people will have gone through, whether from the patient’s perspective, the relative’s, or even the doctor’s.
I found this beautiful piece of art really touching. It highlights how adaptable and resilient both patients and their loved ones are in life- changing circumstances. The drawing portrays love in a different way to which it is often seen in the media as it shows Mike kneeling beside Sarah when she is unwell on a ‘bad’ day as well as standing alongside her on a ‘good’ day.
This is a beautiful piece of reflective work. It really emphasises how social support systems and personal relationships contribute to a patient’s perspective of their health and their ability to feel comfortable in the management of their condition/illness. I really like the use of continuous linework to reflect the connection of relationships to health – it creates a sense of movement in the piece that highlights the progressive nature of personal relationships and of an individual’s own health. The positioning of the doctors adjacent to the image of the individual being cared for at home demonstrates that healthcare is a combination of both clinical treatment and care that is managed at home by the patient and their family/friends. The deeply personal aspect of this piece makes it very emotionally impactful and it is clear that the patient’s story left a lasting impression on the artist. This view of the individual’s life reminds us to see patients holistically – and to consider how their treatment will impact those closest to them – rather than just perceiving them as a condition to treat or a problem to solve. The artist’s key message of the piece – that the best recovery comes as a result of an individual feeling supported and that they are not alone – is important for everyone to acknowledge and remember, especially those involved in providing or accessing healthcare.
I think this piece of artwork indicates how important it is for family and friends to be involved in helping their loved ones cope with their health conditions. It really captures the story behind what the patient is going through, which you won’t always see during short medical appointments. I think it highlights how conditions can make people very vulnerable and sometimes unable to do things for themselves, so we have a duty as a society to care for each other in any way that we can. I love the continuity of the lines as it links everything together – from the patient’s illness to living her life and being taken care of by her husband. This has really opened my eyes to make me realise that you should always offer support to people where you can because it can make their quality of life so much better.
Personally, I found this piece of art to really capture the importance of loved ones in the role of rehabilitation. Mihir Patel did this well through the repeated drawings of two people; showing that the patient should never feel alone through their recovery. Additionally, I found the use of the continuous line, to convey relationships are connected to our health, really touching.
This piece is inspiring in that it is able to capture the essence of the patient encounter: How the connecting lines across the artpiece demonstrates the interconnectedness involved in the health of a person, and how we must never let someone feel alone in their struggles in ill-health. Hence, how one is able to continue living their lives to the fullest despite the condition is through the help and support from loved ones and medical professionals. This reinforces the need for company in caring for the ill. Moreover, not every patient will be as fortunate as Sarah to receive the level of social support, thus it is also important for doctors and medical students to chip in during the visits to ensure that the patient must never feel lonely, and is supported in every possible manner to alleviate the pains and sufferring, be it physical, or emotional.
The use of disjointedness in the drawing, such as with sharp edges and loops demonstrates how illness can have a significant impact on one’s life as health is inexplicitly connected to how they are able to live their lives. This further applies to how doctors must take a patient-centred approach and take the effort to understand how the illness may be affecting the individual’s life, and not solely focus on treatment and disease. This means that helping someone overcome the difficulties in illness may be more important to the patient than solely “curing” the disease. This is especially true for conditions that have a strong adverse consequence on daily living.
I found that this piece particularly resonated with me as I also had an encounter with a patient that had been diagnosed with cancer at a young age. It was only when around their family that the weight of the prognosis seemed to be slightly lifted, and you could clearly see how the family unit rallied in the most difficult of times.
I believe that this piece also perfectly encapsulates the holistic approach that is encouraged – not only focusing on the disease, but how the patient is affected by it in all areas of their life, including relationships. The illustration of the doctor sat next to the patient, clearly explaining something to include the patient in the discussion highlights the patient-centred relationship that has been developed, which would hugely comfort the patient to know that they are their doctor’s main priority, and, most importantly, that they are being listened to.
I think that in the light of Covid-19 the image is especially important as during much of the pandemic patients didn’t always have the support of their family in-person, and so the MDT was left to take up much of this role. Moving forward, I think this makes me consider how I will try to display empathy to patients, as well as reinforcing the importance of the wider network of support that a patient has access to.
I was really drawn to this piece, as although on the surface it appears as a minimalist line drawing, it tells a very complex and meaningful story. I think this piece captures the impact that other people can have on someone’s health and wellbeing and how these relationships can contribute to their care. I particularly like how in each scene there are always two people which symbolises how a patient should never feel alone, whether they are with a partner, friends, a doctor, a nurse etc. The use of curved, smooth lines juxtaposed by sharp, straight lines in the piece represents how in health there are good times and more difficult times, it will never always be easygoing. Overall, this piece demonstrates how health is always integrated into our lives and relationships and often the best way a patient is supported is by being with people so they don’t feel alone.
I was initially drawn to this piece because of the simplicity yet complexity of the line drawing. The continuity of the lines emphasised to me how life goes on and that is not always a clear or straight path, there are many kinks in the road. The line is also representative of their relationship, how the line is part of them both, they are bonded together on their journey through her ill health. Although there is no colour in this image, the contrast of straight and curved lines paints a colourful image of the joys and lows of life. I especially liked how they were joined by the same line as it emphasised that in their relationship they support each other. This demonstrates the importance of relationships in how they affect peoples’ ability to live with a disease, as in this case, the continued support of the husband will have improved how she coped with her disease.
This piece enticed me the most as although on first glance it could be considered quite simplistic, it manages to be incredibly effective in its portrayal of how a positive relationship can have such a big impact on ones life. The description and thought process from the artist is very interesting to read and adds to the pieces ideas conveyed. The fluidity of the art, converging in a fun circle shows is a very nice touch and further expresses importance of a healthy relationship.
As stated by the artist, the curved lines used definitely help to emphasise the ease created and makes the picture overall more happy and wholesome.
I like this piece as it shows the effect of someones comfort and love, I found reading the narrative and then reflecting on the art work made me feel deep sympathy for all individuals in this situation, and made me curious to want to learn more about this couple. The continuous line shows the couple navigating their way through the good and bad moments faced throughout their lifetime, it made me think that their love for one another remained strong even through some of life’s toughest challenges and I realised that companionship can have a massive healing effect on someone who is ill.
I found this art piece extremely touching, and very effective in conveying the importance of support throughout recovery. In every ‘panel’, the body language of the two people is that of love and closeness; even in the drawing which I believe depicts a doctor, the doctor and the other person are standing quite close together, with their bodies turned towards each other, which I think symbolizes transparency and support. The drawing begins with a cluster of squiggles and loops, which I believe may symbolize Sarah’s illness, and physical and mental health. Overall, this piece of art depicts a beautiful story of Sarah’s treatment and her and Mike’s love. The fact that the drawing is made with one continuous line represents Sarah and Mike’s continuous love, and how she felt supported all throughout her illness and treatment.
The artist through their art and description emphasised how a support network can aid a patient’s recovery. The use of wedding vows in the title particularly ‘in sickness and health’ along with the use of the continuous line drawing of the husband kneeling by his wife’s side, then hugging and going on a walk with her really reinforces the love in this couple’s marriage as they navigate the difficulties of Sarah’s illness together.
This piece attracted my attention initially as it looked like it was telling a story. I saw a man and bride marrying, very much in love and young. Afterwards I saw the doctor and nurse consulting, giving the wife a bad diagnosis. The wife is then lying on the sofa, being consoled by her husband whilst trying to process the bad news and suffering from her illness. Many years later, we still see them strong as they embrace, having been through an extremely challenging life, and finally they stroll together, still very much in love, more so than ever because the hardships they have dealt with together.
It was really touching to hear how Mike would carry the oxygen tanks to lighten the load for Sarah. It really is a testament to how valuable and strong relationships are. The little branches extending towards the end of the story depict feelings of hope and new beginnings, along with the circular and continuous nature of the drawing that symbolise a never ending love for one another.
One of the vows people say on their wedding days is, in sickness and in health. I think this is perfectly portrayed in this piece which shows the many elements of a life lived together from the sick bug and trying to get better on the sofa with a cup of hot soup brought by family to an elderly couple supporting each other on a walk. I particularly like how the piece is connected showing the progression of life but the one thing that stays throughout is the love these people have for each other. The story of Sarah and Mike is perfectly captured by the piece but I think the best part is their story could have been replaced with so many others and the drawing would have the same impact.
This is a moving piece that speaks volumes about the power of love and support in a patient’s journey. I think the continuous line technique is such a smart way of illustrating the journey of the couple through life’s ups and downs. It’s like a visual journey through their life. You see the start of their love story turn into a difficult chapter when illness strikes, highlighting how health can have a massive impact on a person’s life. The squiggles and loops that represent Sarah’s illness are a powerful reminder of the continual struggles faced. Mike’s unwavering support of Sarah is shown throughout, which highlights how important it is for a patient to have a strong support system. The piece prompts us to consider the support that patients have in their lives and reminds us of the importance of compassion in patient care. It emphasises the holistic nature of a patient’s journey and the impact of having emotional support throughout it.
Out of the pieces, this one caught my eye immediately. The story told is about the power of love and support and I think that is represented by the interconnecting lines between each segment. The couple are still strong together, just like their vows state, in sickness and in health. You can see that in the more calming times of their lives the lines are wiggly and relaxed however in the more stressful times, the lines are more rigid, perfectly reflecting on their mental health at those times. Each image always has 2 people suggesting that journey this journey of health you are never alone, whether it is a loved one or a doctor, there is always someone alongside you supporting you. Having someone with you across this journey, is the reason Sarah was able to progress. Again, I love how simple the Art piece looks to begin with but the more you look at it, more is revealed about the story.
This art piece beautifully captures the essence of human connection. I particularly liked the use of interconnected lines to emphasise the bond of this couple from the beginning of their relationship and through the difficult times. You can see from this art piece the significant role that families play in a patient’s life. Patients struggle to go back to their normal life after a diagnosis and in Sarah’s case she had many things to adjust to and as an outsider you forget that it isn’t just the healthcare staff that help patients settle but it is their family and friends. I really liked how Sarah and Mike’s story was also drawn connected to the doctors as it shows that as doctors you are joining your patient on their journey. The choice of pencil worked well in conveying the simplicity of human connection; it didn;t need any new technology or colour and allows you to focus on the emotion of the piece. This is a really beautiful piece!
This piece really spoke to me as it showed the importance of having a secure support network when going through hard times. This sense of human connection is something that as medical professionals we can only hope to convey. I love how it conveys the journey that these two people have been on and gives a snapshot of the path of their lives.