Artist Statement
This piece is inspired by a mantle medical students must learn to bear: the weighty burden of delivering life-altering and complex medical diagnoses to patients. Doing so carefully and effectively is an art—it involves meticulous word choice, clear demonstration of empathy, a communication style tailored to the patient’s needs, and willingness to answer questions and give them the time they need. It may feel like one is solely the bearer of bad news or a skeletal “grim reaper” in the room. However, it may be helpful to reframe this thinking. Perhaps this new role can also be considered a burden and a privilege. In these moments lives opportunity: the chance to be a guide, a lighthouse, or a comforting hand. In addition to being the bearer of bad news, one can also be the bearer of humanity. Being there for our patients in such moments of vulnerability is an ultimate, sacred privilege.
Media
“Bearer of Bad News” was created in Affinity Designer and the artificial intelligence software Midjourney.