Becoming Doctors: Stories of Identity, Inequality, and the Future of Care

One in three doctors are currently struggling at work.

We know that doctors care for their patients, but who cares for the doctors?Becoming Doctors is an exhibition of artworks by medical students from the University of Southampton.

From photographs to zines, poems to podcasts, drawings, animations and more, come along to see the creative side of aspiring medics.

Through these pieces, get an insight into their lives, their identities and their hopes for the future.

Explore who they are, what they experience and what it means to truly care.Time to get a glimpse of the people behind the profession and the stories beyond the scrubs.Medical Humanities is a compulsory module for medical students at the University of Southampton.

It explores medicine, healthcare, and human experience through the lens of the arts, humanities, and social sciences.Through creative projects—such as drawings, poems, photographs, podcasts, and zines—students explore themes including professional identity, illness, and healthcare inequality.

These works reflect their values, motivations, perspectives on patients, and the kind of doctor they aspire to become.For many students, the module provides a safe space to explore aspects of their identities, health conditions, or personal experiences.

The course Medical supports the development of socially conscious clinicians who are attuned to contemporary healthcare challenges—from NHS resource pressures and mental health to doctor burnout and the need for inclusive care for diverse populations.

It helps shape well-rounded, reflective, and compassionate doctors for the 21st century.