The problem with medical TV shows. A surgeon sets the record straight.

I never really watched medical shows, even before and during medical school. I watched maybe one season of ER, a couple of seasons of Grey’s Anatomy and House MD and maybe one episode each of Private Practice, Chicago Hope, Emily Owens MD and other random medical shows. The only medical show I made an exception for was Scrubs, because it was funny and poignant and the closest to replicating what life is actually like in a hospital (but still a long shot I’m afraid!). Oh, and I want to be able to whistle like Dr. Cox. I’m sure like every profession, seeing your own profession on the big or little screen is generally frustrating because of the gross misrepresentation of your profession, daily life or working environment. Hollywood likes to play fast and loose with facts and science. Entertainment is great and all but that doesn’t stop me from yelling at the television: “That’s not real!” So I thought I would compile a list of some of my favorite fictional faux pas. House MD: You just cannot be addicted to painkillers and still employed. I feel pretty confident to say that if a patient upsets you and you insult them, even humorously and with a razor-sharp wit, you would be in a lot of trouble. Same goes for your colleagues. The medical profession takes substance abuse pretty seriously, and Gregory House would have been parked in rehabilitation and his services declined with his opiate addiction. Brilliant as he may be, anyone with such...
Source: Kevin, M.D. - Medical Weblog - Category: Journals (General) Authors: Tags: Physician Mainstream media Surgery Source Type: blogs