Claire Dawson
Medical shows are a staple of television, but how accurate are they? From the long-running ER to the more recent New Amsterdam, these shows have depicted the exciting and challenging world of medicine. While creative licenses are often taken, some shows strive for accuracy in their portrayal of hospital life. So, which TV series comes out on top when it comes to authenticity? Let's scrub in and take a closer look at the contenders.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Most accurate hospital show | ER, Scrubs, This Is Going to Hurt |
| Realistic portrayal of hospital hierarchy | Scrubs, ER |
| Realistic portrayal of doctors' work | Scrubs, Chicago Med |
| Realistic portrayal of nurses' work | Scrubs, Chicago Med |
| Realistic portrayal of medical jargon, diagnoses, and treatments | New Amsterdam |
| Realistic portrayal of medical procedures | St. Elsewhere |
| Realistic portrayal of medical illnesses | St. Elsewhere |
| Realistic portrayal of hospital resuscitations | N/A |
| Realistic portrayal of doctors' specialties | N/A |
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What You'll Learn
''ER'
ER is one of the longest-running American primetime medical drama series of all time. The show has been praised for its accuracy in depicting the daily duties and challenges faced by interns and residents in a hospital setting. It has also been credited for accurately portraying the hierarchical structure within a teaching hospital.
However, it has been noted that ER makes some common mistakes, such as showing residents performing tasks that would typically be carried out by nurses. The show has also been criticised for exaggerating the effectiveness of CPR and the use of the term ""code black", which can have different meanings in different hospital settings.
Despite these inaccuracies, ER has received acclaim from critics and fans alike for its realistic portrayal of the medical profession. It has been described as "television that makes a difference; a series as true as a heartbeat, as insistent as an ambulance’s wail" by Miles Beller of The Hollywood Reporter. The show has also been praised for its ability to inject humour into dark situations, reflecting the reality of working in a hospital.
In conclusion, while ER may not be entirely accurate in every aspect of its portrayal of hospital life, it has been recognised as one of the most realistic medical dramas on television. The show has had a significant impact on the genre, with many subsequent medical series following in its footsteps.
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''Scrubs'
The popular sitcom Scrubs is often regarded as one of the most accurate depictions of hospital life on television. While the show is filled with fantasy cut-aways, bathroom humour, and sex jokes, it is also quite in tune with the real lives of doctors. Scrubs is set in the fictional Sacred Heart Hospital, a teaching hospital, and follows the lives of its employees.
The show is noted for its portrayal of the residency process, with doctors recognising the real thought processes of a young doctor at work in the character of J.D., played by Zach Braff. The show also explores the tensions between surgical and internal medicine residents, the allure of private practice, intra-hospital romance, and the struggle to allocate resources. It also pokes fun at the way residents jockey for plum assignments.
Scrubs is also accurate in its depiction of the daily duties and requirements of interns and residents, as well as the hierarchical structure of teaching hospitals. It shows how healthcare workers compartmentalise the sadness of patient cases and move on to the next patient or normal banter with colleagues. The show also portrays nurses doing nurse things and doctors doing doctor things, which is something that other medical shows like ER have been criticised for getting wrong.
The show's writers worked with several medical advisors, including doctors Jonathan Doris, Jon Turk, and Dolly Klock, whose names were used for the show's characters. The show's creator also said that every single medical story on the show was handed to them by real physicians, whose names would then be written into the show. The show was also filmed in a real hospital building, which added to its sense of realism.
While Scrubs is often praised for its accuracy, it is important to note that it is not without its flaws. Some have criticised the show for being mean to its patients, and it is not always medically accurate. However, overall, Scrubs is considered one of the most realistic portrayals of hospital life on television.
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''Grey's Anatomy'
Grey's Anatomy is a popular medical drama series created by Shonda Rhimes that premiered in 2005 on ABC. The show revolves around Dr Meredith Grey (Ellen Pompeo) and traces her journey from surgical intern to a fully qualified doctor and eventually the hospital's chief of general surgery. The show is currently in its 22nd season, making it the longest-running scripted primetime show currently airing on ABC.
Grey's Anatomy has been praised for its impact on popular culture and has received numerous awards, including the Golden Globe Award for Best Television Series – Drama. However, despite its popularity, the show has been criticised for its inaccurate portrayal of hospital life. According to some viewers, the show tends to exaggerate the role of surgeons, with surgeons depicted as performing a wide range of procedures that would typically be carried out by specialists. For example, in one episode, a paediatric and trauma surgeon performs an electrophysiology study, which would typically be conducted by a skilled electrophysiologist. The show has also been criticised for its portrayal of patient admissions, with patients being admitted a day or two before elective surgery for bloodwork and tests, despite being stable—these procedures would typically be conducted on an outpatient basis.
In addition to these inaccuracies, the show has also been criticised for its lack of acknowledgement of nurses and ancillary staff, who play a crucial role in patient care. While the show does feature some nursing characters, such as Olivia Harper and Tyler Christian, their roles are often secondary to the doctors.
Despite these inaccuracies, Grey's Anatomy has been well-received by viewers and critics alike for its compelling drama and character development. It is important to remember that creative licenses are often taken in medical shows to balance realism with entertainment.
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''New Amsterdam'
While medical shows on TV are rarely 100% accurate, some are more realistic than others. NBC's New Amsterdam, inspired by one of America's oldest hospitals, Bellevue Hospital in NYC, is based on a true story and a real person—Dr. Eric Manheimer and his book, "Twelve Patients: Life and Death at Bellevue Hospital." The show follows Dr. Max Goodwin, who is hired to lead the neglected New Amsterdam Hospital, focusing on patients and staff well-being.
New Amsterdam has been praised for its mostly accurate depictions of medical treatment and jargon, diagnoses, and treatments. Lead medical consultant Dr. Oren Gottfried shared that "some [cases] do seem so outlandish, but the fact is they're really medical truth." The show addresses various medical issues, from epidemics and cancer to addiction and mental health. It also explores the challenges of residency and the difficulties faced by foreign medical graduates.
However, some viewers have criticised the show for its portrayal of residency, arguing that it does not accurately reflect the realities of the US residency system and its problems, such as suicide, inequity, and workload. Additionally, some have pointed out that the show tends to focus more on creating appealing scenarios and character development rather than accurately portraying medical intricacies.
In terms of its accuracy in depicting hospital dynamics, New Amsterdam does well in showcasing the hierarchical structure of a teaching hospital. It also adds drama by including Bellevue's care of patients at Rikers Island, NYC's biggest jail. Overall, while New Amsterdam may take some creative liberties, it is considered one of the more accurate medical shows, with its blend of medical accuracy and feel-good storytelling.
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'The Resident'
While medical shows on TV aren’t 100% accurate, some are more realistic than others. One such show is 'The Resident', which has been praised for its realistic portrayal of the broken American healthcare system and the bureaucracy that exists in "for-profit" hospitals. The show also accurately depicts the tension between authority and ability wrapped up in financial decisions, with nurses being the unsung heroes and hospital administration being the villains.
One reviewer on IMDb, who claims to have worked in surgery for many years, calls it "the most realistic show ever produced". They go on to say that the bureaucracy and surgical "cover-ups" are not exaggerations and that it's "all about the money". Another reviewer on IMDb says that while the show isn't 100% medically accurate, it is still a compelling drama with likeable and relatable protagonist characters.
However, some viewers have criticised the show for its unrealistic medical procedures. One viewer, who claims to be an IM resident, points out several unrealistic aspects of the pilot episode, including the head of surgery cutting an artery and the patient dying just 2 minutes later. Another viewer, who is also watching the show, says that while they are enjoying it, they have to remind themselves that it's not reality. They specifically mention an episode where a man's severed arm and leg are easily reattached as being particularly unrealistic.
Overall, 'The Resident' seems to offer a mix of realistic and unrealistic portrayals of hospital life. While it may not be 100% accurate in terms of medical procedures, it does shine a light on the bureaucratic and financial aspects of the healthcare system, which is rarely seen in other medical shows.
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Frequently asked questions
While no medical shows on TV are 100% accurate, some are closer to reality than others. ER is often regarded as one of the most realistic hospital shows, accurately portraying the challenges of working in an emergency department.
Medical shows often exaggerate the effectiveness of CPR and portray doctors performing a wide range of procedures outside their specialty. They also tend to dramatize diagnoses and resuscitations, with patients conveniently being revived just before or after commercial breaks.
Scrubs is often praised for its satirical yet accurate portrayal of hospital life, including the day-to-day tasks of nurses and doctors, as well as the hierarchical structure in a teaching hospital. It also captures the humour and camaraderie among healthcare workers dealing with stressful situations.
Chicago Med is considered one of the more realistic hospital shows, with medical advisor Andrew Dennis estimating the medicine to be about 85% accurate. New Amsterdam also receives credit for its mostly accurate depictions of medical treatment, despite some over-the-top dramatic elements.
