From comics to care: exploring the education potential of graphic novel in organ transplantation journey

Organ transplantation profoundly enhances survival and quality of life for patients with end-­ stage organ failure but presents challenges such as lifelong immunosuppression, complications and psychosocial stress. The graphic novel I nuovi noi (’Our new selves’) leverages Graphic Medicine to address these challenges, combining visual storytelling with healthcare insights. Developed collaboratively with patients, healthcare professionals and artists, the graphic novel offers an empathetic narrative that fosters understanding, improves treatment adherence and enhances communication. Based on structured interviews with 36 different healthcare professionals, this study evaluates the novel’s impact on post-­ transplant care, underscoring the potential of Graphic Medicine to enrich medical education and patient support frameworks. Our analyses of healthcare professionals’ opinions reveal the graphic novel’s educational potential on three levels: health professionals, patients who had transplants and the public. The findings underscore the importance of tailoring communication tools to specific populations to maximise their impact in medical education and patient care