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Nathan Gray, MD, FACP

@nathanagray.bsky.social

440 followers 150 following 32 posts

Palliative Doc, artist, in Baltimore, MD. Serious illness care along with some dabbling at the intersection of art and health 🖌️ My Links: https://linktr.ee/NathanGray

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Nathan Gray, MD, FACP @nathanagray.bsky.social · Nov 17

Hello! I’m a palliative doc and after-hours cartoon/comic artist using graphic art as a medium for storytelling and advocacy in the serious illness space. May still post in the other place but looking for a less muddled space to share... #hapc #graphicmedicine

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Nathan Gray, MD, FACP @nathanagray.bsky.social · 29d

What do general pediatrics and outpatient palliative care have in common? (Thoughts from a palliative doc who started medical life thinking he’d be a general pediatrician…)
#hapc

Nathan Gray, MD, FACP @nathanagray.bsky.social · Jul 31

Full article link here: www.liebertpub.com/doi/abs/10.1...

Health, Heartache, and Humor: A Practical Framework for Approaching Humor in Serious Illness | Journal of Palliative Medicine

Despite the pain and suffering that often accompany serious illness, humor can play a rich and meaningful role as part of multifaceted patient–clinician interactions. Patients often use humor to commu...

www.liebertpub.com

Nathan Gray, MD, FACP @nathanagray.bsky.social · Jul 31

And we close with a “top ten” list of cautions and guidance for those encountering humor in clinical work day to day…

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Nathan Gray, MD, FACP @nathanagray.bsky.social · Jul 31

We listed some examples of how this plays out (using my own art)…

Nathan Gray, MD, FACP @nathanagray.bsky.social · Jul 31

In our paper, we suggest the most important thing to consider is the source and the object… who’s making the humor and what is it about?? Some source/object combos are off limits, some high risk, some generally safe.

It may seem obvious, but patients get more leeway than docs!

Nathan Gray, MD, FACP @nathanagray.bsky.social · Jul 31

Patients use humor for coping, to communicate around sensitive topics, to build rapport, or to reassert control in scary times…

clinicians also use humor to cope, build rapport, or even lighten the mood. But when’s the wrong time or the right time!?

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Nathan Gray, MD, FACP @nathanagray.bsky.social · Jul 31

How do those caring for folks with serious illness navigate humor?? Patients and family often bring humor to encounters, and many say they appreciate it from providers…

Happy to have paired up w PC SW Melissa Rizzollo to write some fun guidance for @j-palliativemed.bsky.social #hapc

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Nathan Gray, MD, FACP @nathanagray.bsky.social · Apr 18

If you get stronger…
#hapc

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Nathan Gray, MD, FACP @nathanagray.bsky.social · Apr 8

When none of the discharge options fits…

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Nathan Gray, MD, FACP @nathanagray.bsky.social · Mar 25

I never promise we can make all the pain go away, as there are parts of medical suffering we’ll probably never tame, but I love the wins when we’re able to make a difficult day feel a bit more bearable.

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Nathan Gray, MD, FACP @nathanagray.bsky.social · Mar 12

Answer data questions with data. Answer emotion and meaning questions with empathy and humility…

Nathan Gray, MD, FACP @nathanagray.bsky.social · Feb 14

Magic in the air ❤️💕 Happy Hospital Valentine’s tomorrow!

Nathan Gray, MD, FACP @nathanagray.bsky.social · Feb 4

Of course! the second of my two posts (as well as the longer explanation on IG) mention those situations… when a discussion/answer is urgent. :)

Nathan Gray, MD, FACP @nathanagray.bsky.social · Feb 4

Some of the times I’ve missed the mark the worst in serious illness conversations over the years have been when I barged into a new topic without specifically asking permission first. #hapc

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Nathan Gray, MD, FACP @nathanagray.bsky.social · Feb 4

In situations where a patient says they can’t handle a pressing diagnosis/decision that needs urgent action, I ask if there’s a family member they trust to handle the info and decision, if not, I try to give them some control over details of how info is shared before proceeding. #hapc

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Nathan Gray, MD, FACP @nathanagray.bsky.social · Feb 4

When discussing serious health issues with patients, it’s crucial to ask permission each time a new sensitive topic is broached… people may have specific needs, timing, or preferences they’d like to voice before you “go there.”

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Nathan Gray, MD, FACP @nathanagray.bsky.social · Jan 14

Oh my, I had almost forgotten about that one. That one puts me in real dad-joke territory…

sarahlowry.bsky.social @sarahlowry.bsky.social · Jan 14

An oldie but goodie from @nathanagray.bsky.social

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Nathan Gray, MD, FACP @nathanagray.bsky.social · Jan 14

(Family meeting nemeses...) Reminded of this one rounding on inpatient palliative consults today… the hospital can be a busy, noisy place. ❤️ #hapc

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Nathan Gray, MD, FACP @nathanagray.bsky.social · Dec 25

My annual holiday greeting for those working the hospital this season… 🎁

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Nathan Gray, MD, FACP @nathanagray.bsky.social · Dec 21

Historically on Twitter and IG, still fairly active on Instagram:
www.instagram.com/inkvessel/

Nathan Gray, MD, FACP @nathanagray.bsky.social · Dec 12

One of my favorite types of cartoon to draw for a break from a heavy day is “medical-term-brought-to-life…”

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Nathan Gray, MD, FACP @nathanagray.bsky.social · Dec 11

:) Yes, definitely!! (I think real empathy is often a driver, Just never want the tissues to become a disruption rather than a kindness… have witnessed some very silly situations where the whole moment was railroaded by clinicians like myself jumping around try to find them!)

Nathan Gray, MD, FACP @nathanagray.bsky.social · Dec 11

Thanks so much for the kind words!! Makes me happy to hear the art is useful!

Nathan Gray, MD, FACP @nathanagray.bsky.social · Dec 11

Hooray! You’re here too!!! Thanks for saying “hi!”

Nathan Gray, MD, FACP @nathanagray.bsky.social · Dec 11

2/2 #hapc #grief

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