Comics creator Sam Hester is part of a growing movement within health care: graphic medicine. In short, literally drawing attention to a patient's needs and goals with pictures to foster better and more accessible caretaking. Hester shares how illustrating small details of her mother's medical story as she struggled with mysterious symptoms alongside her Parkinson's and dementia led to more empathy, understanding, communication and peace of mind.

Sam Hester: How visual storytelling creates better health care

How visual storytelling creates better health care

A caregiver transforms healthcare communication, using simple comics to articulate her mother's needs and aspirations in care settings.

Detailing life with dementia through comics, a daughter and mother collaborate to destigmatize the condition and enhance caregiving.

Graphic medicine—a blend of comics and healthcare—emerges as a tool for empathy, understanding, and improved patient-provider communication.