Peking Union Medical College Hospital recently treated a deaf and mute patient, Mr. Zhu. Prior to Zhu's operation, the patient's 28-year-old anesthesiologist, Qiu Feilong, created an eight-grid comic depicting the entire surgical process. Qiu said he hoped this knowledge would make Zhu more comfortable.

Normally, prior to a surgery, the anesthesiologist pays a visit to observe the patient's physical condition and talk with the patient for a pre-operative evaluation.

"I checked his case online and I tried to communicate with him. This was my first time treating a deaf and mute patient. I thought a comic might help him to visualize the steps of the surgical process and better understand the operation's risks and possible outcomes," Qiu said. The young doctor said it took him about 20 minutes to create the comic.

"If the patient understands the process and is mentally prepared for it, he or she won't feel as nervous," Qiu explained. When Qiu gave Zhu the comic, Zhu nodded and smiled. He even gave Qiu a thumbs up. On the day of the operation, Zhu also smiled at Qiu, the doctor recalled.

Although the operation was difficult, everything went smoothly. Qiu explained that there is a risk of elevated blood pressure if a patient feels nervous. For most patients, receiving an operation is an anxiety-provoking and nerve-wracking process. A small, kind action such as Qiu's good deed can do a lot to make patients more comfortable.