Blinkered codes

Artwork by Ian Williams 12 August 2022

Comic

A four panel comic.

The first panel shows a young man speaking to a male doctor, who is typing. A speech bubble comes from the doctor and reads, 'You smoke?'. The young man is gesturing with his right hand. Speech from him reads 'No. Well... Maybe a bit of weed now and then...'

In the second panel, the doctor continues to type whilst staring at his computer. Text reads, 'Doctors use standardised terms to add information or "codes" to a patients medical notes '. The young man, looking alarmed, taps the doctor's computer screen. Speech from him reads 'Wait... what's that you've typed there?' The doctor replies 'It's a diagnostic code.' The young man says 'But it says 'cannabis misuse'?'

In the third panel, the young man is looking at the doctor with wide eyes and raised eyebrows, whilst the doctor continues to stare at his computer screen. Speech from the young man reads 'Why 'MISUSE'?'. The doctor replies 'When I type in 'cannabis' it only gives me a few options... Cannabis dependence; Cannabis abuse; Cannabis intoxication; Cannabis-induced psychosis...'

In the fourth panel, the young man and doctor are stood facing eachother. Speech from the young man reads 'I'm not misusing it, I ENJOY it!'. The doctor replies 'Sorry, there's no code for that.'

About the artist

Ian Williams

Social media @TheBadDr
ian-williams.co.uk

Dr Ian Williams is a comics artist, writer and doctor who lives in Brighton. His work includes two graphic novels, ‘The Bad Doctor‘ and ‘The Lady Doctor‘, and the third of the trilogy — ‘The Sick Doctor’ — will be published in 2025. He named the area of study called graphic medicine, and is the creator and co-editor of the Graphic Medicine website. He is founder of the not-for-profit Graphic Medicine International Collective and co-author of the Eisner-nominated ‘Graphic Medicine Manifesto‘. He has produced comic strips for The Guardian newspaper, and numerous organisations including Wellcome.

Blinkered codes

About the artist

Ian Williams

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