Imagery, colour and illness: a review
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Updated: May 28, 2026

Using Visual and Narrative Methods to Achieve Fair Process in Clinical Care
Published on: February 16, 2011
1Department of Medical Illustration, University Hospital of South Manchester NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK. Helen.carruthers@uhsm.nhs.uk
Abstract:
This paper reviews research on the role of colour and imagery in relation to illness and examines how this might improve communication between the sufferer and those treating or caring for them. It describes a method by which colour can be related to situations such as an individual's mood and how this might be used to predict response to treatment. Furthermore, it provides evidence that documenting the imagery of an illness might give insight into the patients' fears and concerns about their condition as well as helping non-sufferers to understand what they are going through.
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