CASE STUDY
Impact of Early vs. Late Palliative Care – Comic Strips for UHN
Client: University Health Network (UHN)
Project
Two custom comic strips illustrating the impact of early vs. late palliative care on patients.
Project Overview
UHN commissioned two custom comic strips for health content to visually communicate the benefits of early palliative care versus late intervention. The comics aimed to educate patients, families, and medical professionals on how early palliative care can improve patients' quality of life, while late intervention can negatively impact emotional and physical well-being. These health-related illustrations were later published in a prominent medical journal, further expanding their reach and impact.
AT A GLANCE
Client: University Health Network (UHN)
Project: Two comic strips illustrating early vs. late palliative care impact on patients
Objective: Educate patients, families, and medical professionals about the benefits of early palliative care
Outcome: Comics published in a medical journal, enhancing healthcare education
Outcomes
Delayed palliative care illustrated.
Creative Process:
- Research & Collaboration: I collaborated closely with UHN’s medical team to ensure an accurate representation of the patient journey in both scenarios, bringing together medical illustration and real-world healthcare experiences.
- Storyboarding: The comic strips contrasted the two experiences: one of early palliative care and the other of care only provided later. Key themes like quality of life, emotional well-being, and hope were incorporated into the cartoons for deeper understanding.
- Design & Artwork: I created relatable characters with clear, expressive facial and body language to convey emotional depth. The comic panels were carefully paced to ensure smooth visual flow, delivering maximum impact. This combination of storytelling and healthcare illustration made the content approachable for a wide audience.
Outcome & Impact:- Educational Reach: The illustrations for healthcare communication made complex medical concepts easily understandable, helping to demystify the importance of early palliative care.
- Published in Medical Journal: The comics were published in a medical journal, further educating the healthcare community and encouraging discussions on palliative care timing.
- Positive Feedback: Patients and healthcare providers reported the comics were effective in sparking important conversations about palliative care, making the subject more approachable and less intimidating.
- Educational Reach: The illustrations for healthcare communication made complex medical concepts easily understandable, helping to demystify the importance of early palliative care.
Process:
- Collaboration with UHN’s medical team
- Storyboarding contrasting patient experiences
- Custom illustrations with emotional, relatable characters
- Use of colour to highlight emotional tone
Impact:- Sparked conversations about palliative care timing
- Engaged both patients and healthcare providers
- Improved accessibility of complex medical concepts through visuals
Outcomes
Early access to palliative care illustrated.
Conclusion
This project demonstrated the power of visual storytelling in healthcare education. By combining compelling illustrations with educational messaging, the comic strips helped raise awareness about the importance of offering palliative care early, ultimately making a meaningful impact on patient care discussions.
Skills Utilized:
- Medical collaboration and conceptual development
- Narrative and storyboard design
- Character and environment design for emotional impact
- Educational illustration for healthcare communication
- Publication-ready digital artwork
This case study demonstrates how comic strips for hospitals and medical content can be a powerful tool for education, helping to improve patient outcomes through engaging visual storytelling.