Television Medical Dramas Research Articles

“How to Save a Life”: OnGrey’s Anatomyand the Logics of Televisual Alleviation in a Time of Crisis

This article examines the representation of the COVID-19 global public health crisis on U.S. network television medical dramas. Programs featuring healthcare professionals like Chicago Med (NBC, 2015-present), The Good Doctor (ABC, 2017–2024), and New Amsterdam (NBC, 2018–2023) depicted the devastation of the pandemic and the plight of the frontline healthcare community to viewers at home through the fictional hospital. In particular, Grey’s Anatomy (ABC, 2005–present) produced a “very special season” dedicated to portraying COVID’s toil. I argue that the primetime doctor show attempted to lessen the pain of COVID’s impact by presenting its audience-as-patient with a way to manage their emotions around loss through narrative catharsis. The program adheres to a logic of alleviation in its care work for viewers. Such a tele-therapeutic strategy of engagement on the long-running Grey’s Anatomy, amidst mass suffering and death, also served to revive the series as compelling broadcast television in the streaming era.

Eugenics and genetic screening in television medical dramas

Medical dramas offer unique insights into the way popular media makes sense of genetic technology and the ethics of its applications. In this paper we evaluate the contrasting depictions in...

A critical qualitative content analysis of media representations of underrepresented groups in the context of health identity

Information accuracy is imperative for the media representation regardless of what information or context is. A variety of health-related information is conveyed to viewers through television news and entertainment programs, which include but not restrict to the information about healthcare structure and health professionals, knowledge regarding general health issues, specific illnesses, or topics, and health-promoting behaviors. It is crucial to examine what messages viewers perceive through television programs given the impact on their perceptions, expectations, and actions in reality. Apart from the portrayal of health information, the framing of characters within a context can significantly contribute to the understanding of how exposure to media influences viewers’ lives. By conducting a critical content analysis, this qualitative study has explored media portrayals of individuals from underrepresented groups within the context of health in a fictional medical television drama. The findings provide a critical understanding of media exposure on how viewers perceive the social positioning of underrepresented groups in the context of health identity. Portrayals of underrepresented groups are understood through the discourses of condescension, cultural appropriation, stereotyping, and negativity.

Professionalism, Ethics, and Realism of Television Medical Dramas as Perceived by Saudi Medical Students.

Since their debut, medical dramas have been popular, particularly among medical students. This study examined how much time medical students spend watching medical TV shows and their impressions of the shows' professionalism, ethics, and realism. A survey on medical students' medical drama viewing behavior and perceptions with regard to bioethics was given to 341 first- to fifth-year undergraduate medical students at a university in Al Majmaah, Saudi Arabia. The poll gathered demographic information, TV medical drama watching habits, bioethical and professional concerns in medical dramas, and the sources of bioethical knowledge. The most popular medical dramas were The Good Doctor, Grey's Anatomy, and House M.D. Compared with English-language television medical dramas, Arabic ones were less popular. Ninety-one percent of students watched television alone. There was no statistically significant difference in respondents' perceptions of ethics accuracy based on year of study, gender, or whether they discussed it with friends. In comparison to students who had not seen any medical dramas, those who had were more inclined to view them as a credible source of ethical advice (P-value .04). There is a high interest in medical programs among medical students, and these programs can be used to teach them about the ethical aspects of practicing medicine.

Depiction of nervous system disorders in television medical drama: A content analysis of 18 seasons of Grey’s Anatomy

BackgroundTelevision medical dramas enjoy great popularity among the general public, and can be a source of information and misinformation about medical disorders. Nervous system disorders have always received attention in popular media, yet no studies have been performed to analyze their depiction and accuracy, to our knowledge. ObjectiveTo investigate the representation of neurological and neurosurgical diseases in Grey’s Anatomy, one of most popular and longest running primetime medical melodramas in American television. MethodsWe performed a quantitative and qualitative content analysis of depictions of nervous system disorders in all 18 seasons of Grey’s Anatomy, in addition to investigating the medical accuracy and the global quality of the portrayed medical content. ResultsA total of 285 depictions were identified in 314 out of 400 episodes (78.5%) of Grey’s Anatomy. Most of portrayed characters were males (59.2%), Caucasians (72.6%), and adults (76.4%), with a mean age of 32.6 ± 19.7 years for those mentioned. Most of the portrayals were of acute nature (65.5%), with neurosurgical diseases constituting the majority; 85.6%, while 31.6% depicted neurological diseases, and 19.3% had both. The most common clinical presentations were altered level of consciousness (16.5%) and seizures (14.4%). Traumatic brain injury was the most common portrayed diagnosis (39.3%), followed by brain tumors (13.7%), stroke (8.4%), and spinal injury (8.1%). Management was surgical for the majority of cases (79.6%), while only 17.9% received pharmacotherapy. The prognosis of portrayed cases was generally favorable, as 79.5% showed good/full recovery, while mortality rate was 18.6%. Forty cases (14.0%) were depictions of rare to very rare diseases. As regards to medical accuracy, 74.3% of depictions were deemed accurate within reason, with a mean GQS score of 4.38 ± 1.4. Four clinical trials involving the nervous system have been depicted throughout the show. ConclusionsNeurosurgical and neurological diseases were portrayed in most episodes of Grey’s Anatomy, with a good quality of its scientific content within reason. This study demonstrated that Grey’s Anatomy had a good amount of medical information that could be able to improve the public perception of the specialty. However, there is still a room for significant improvement to acknowledge certain inaccuracies and misrepresentations in future episodes.

Social Image of Nurse in Medical Dramas in Pre and Post-COVID-19 Pandemic: An Observational Study

In multimedia, nurses are absent or often shown with any specific competence, totally far away from the actual context. Changes and evolution in the profession are not represented by the social image on the screen which strongly shows a doctor-centric clinical knowledge and responsibility. Considering the COVID-19 Pandemic brings significant media attention to medical staff, we analyze the television medical dramas before and after the Pandemic. The medical drama with the highest sharing index has been analyzed using an observational checklist, including 1) the nurse's presence and characteristics, 2) the role played within the format (main character, secondary character, and appearance) and the main character's features (when present), 3) the acting skills, 4) relationship dynamics in the work context (team and patient), 5) the impact on welfare and health and 6) the respect of the deontological aspects. The result implies that the image of nursing remains obsolete and linked to gender or subordination stereotypes. Heroes in white uniforms are presented in the news for a while, but too soon stigmatized. Therefore, it is necessary to start creating consciousness of the social image of nursing professionals to alert the media power and its related risks and, but above all, to use them as a resource of change.

The Depiction of Autonomy and Shared Decision-Making by Children and Adolescents in Medical Television.

BackgroundMany studies have shown the importance of patient autonomy and shared decision-making in medical treatment. However, television (TV) depiction of medicine continues to present a skewed depiction of healthcare and its effects. This has been observed in adult patients but little has been studied in the pediatric population.MethodologyThis study analyzed the depiction of pediatric patients (7-18 years old) autonomy and their participation in the shared decision-making process in the first season of medical TV dramas that premiered from 1994 to 2017, including ER (1994), Grey’s Anatomy (2005), Red Band Society (2014), and The Good Doctor (2017). These shows were scored to record each instance of a medical decision made.ResultsOf the 238 medical decisions recorded, pediatric patients made a medical decision 61 times (57.5%). A total of 110 instances were omitted due to the patient’s inability to give consent, usually due to altered mental status, and 22 instances were omitted due to age being less than seven years. Interestingly, there was an increasing proportion of pediatric patients involved in the decision-making process over time, moving from 17 of 39 medical decisions (43.6%) of patients in ER (1994) to 22 of 33 medical decisions (66.7%) in The Good Doctor (2017) (p = 0.050213).ConclusionsThe results revealed that TV medical dramas have been including children in their medical decision-making more over time. This has major implications for the way writers structure their shows and how medical providers interact with their patients.

Perception of small animal cardiopulmonary resuscitation of owners presenting to a small animal teaching clinic including a large first opinion service.

To gather information from veterinary clients to better understand and gauge the knowledge level and perception of small animal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in an academic veterinary hospital. Prospective cross-sectional survey. A veterinary teaching hospital including a large first opinion service. None. An anonymous survey was developed to gauge the knowledge of veterinary clients on a variety of CPR related topics at a university veterinary hospital. Surveys were randomly distributed to a convenience sample of clients in the waiting room through the client services staff between October 2017 and March 2018. Of the 451 surveys distributed, 296 were used for the statistical analysis. The majority of respondents (92%) knew the appropriate definition of CPR but only 11% knew how to perform CPR on a dog or cat. Most respondents (82%) wanted to discuss their pet's CPR status at a veterinary visit. The mean ± SD estimate of rate of discharge from hospital after cardiac arrest was 39.4 ± 25.6% and the majority of respondents (202 [68%]) got their estimate from an educated guess. The respondents who elected CPR that day provided an estimated cost of 257 ± 365 USD while the respondents who elected not to have CPR provided an estimated cost of 491 ± 875 USD; P= 0.019. The respondents that watched television medical dramas estimated a higher rate of survival to discharge at 42 ± 25%, while people who did not watch television medical dramas provided an estimated survival rate of 35 ± 26%; P= 0.034. Inaccurate perceptions regarding CPR and survival rates exist among the general public; however, respondents are interested in becoming better informed.

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation in television medical dramas: Results of the TVMD2 study.

Television medical dramas (TVMDs) use cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) as a mean of achieving higher viewing rates. TVMDs portrayal of CPR can be used to teach laypersons attempting to perform CPR and to form a shared professional and layperson mental model for CPR decisions. We studied the portrayal of CPR across a wide range of TVMDs to see whether newer series fulfill this promise. Advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) certified healthcare providers underwent training in the use of a unique instrument based on the AHA (American Heart Association) guidelines to assess TVMD CPR scenarios. Components of the assessment included the adequacy of CPR techniques, gender distribution in CPR scenes, performance quality by different healthcare providers, and CPR outcomes. Thirty-one TVMDs created between 2010 and 2018 underwent review. Among 836 TVMD episodes reviewed, we identified 216 CPR attempts. CPR techniques were mostly portrayed inaccurately. The recommended compressions depth was shown in only 32.0% of the attempts (n=62). The recommended rate was shown in only 44.3% of the attempts (n=86). Survival to hospital discharge was portrayed as twice higher in male patients (67.6%, n=71) than in female patients (32.4%, n=29) (p<0.05). Paramedics were portrayed as having better performance than physicians or nurses; compression rates were shown to be within the recommendations in only 42% (n=73) of the CPR attempts performed by physicians, 44% (n=8) of those performed by nurses, and 64% (n=9) of those performed by paramedics. Complete chest recoil after compression was shown in only 34% (n=58) of the CPR attempts performed by physicians, 38% (n=7) of those performed by nurses, and 64% (n=9) of those performed by paramedics. Outcomes were better on the screen than in real life; among the episodes showing outcome (n=202), the overall rate of survival from CPR was 61.9% (n=125). Portrayal of CPR in TVMDs remains a missed opportunity for improving performance and communication on CPR.

Suturing the Nation in South Korean Historical Television Medical Dramas.

Using the 2000-2010 South Korean historical medical dramas Heo Jun (The Way of Medicine), Dae Jang Geum (Jewel in the Palace), and Jejoongwon (The Hospital) as case studies, this article examines televisual reimaginations of Korean medical modernity as (re)interpretative popular culture texts. Particularly in the areas of the anatomical sciences and surgery, modern medicine's emancipatory potentials in these productions are set semi-fictitiously in pre-modern Joseon historical contexts. Dramaturgically challenging entrenched social hierarchies and ossified cultural taboos of Institutionalized Confucianism, these dramas' progressive physician-protagonists emphasize the universality and impartiality of medical knowledge in what is herein termed as Generative Confucianism.

OUTCOMES OF CARDIAC ARREST BETWEEN REALITY AND TELEVISION MEDICAL DRAMAS: RESULTS OF THE TVMD2 STUDY

SESSION TITLE: Tuesday Abstract Posters SESSION TYPE: Original Investigation Posters PRESENTED ON: 10/22/2019 01:00 PM - 02:00 PM PURPOSE: Outcomes of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) include: death, return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC), sustained ROSC, and discharge from hospital, among others. We aimed to assess if television medical dramas (TVMDs) depictions of CPR outcomes are representative of reality. METHODS: An instrument was created to address quality of CPR in TVMD. It was applied by advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) certified-health care providers, to assess and review CPR scenarios performance and outcomes from 32 different TVMDs from 2010 to 2018. Data was evaluated to explore CPR outcomes. RESULTS: A total of 836 episodes of TVMDs were reviewed with a total of 212 on-screen CPR attempts; of which, 202 revealed the outcome. CPR success rate was 61.9% (n=125). In 189 CPR scenes, patient’s condition was followed during the hospitalization, and 54% (n=102) survived to hospital discharge. Of the survivors, we were able to assess the cerebral performance category (CPC) score in 88 patients. 96.5% (n=85) had favorable neurological outcome (CPC 1,2) and only 3.5% (n=3) had unfavorable neurological outcome (CPC 3,4 and5). Moreover, we assessed if determination of ROSC in TVMDs complied with the Utstein Resuscitation Registry Templates (by spontaneously restoring a palpable pulse or a measurable blood pressure). We found that from 160 episodes, in which we could assess how ROSC was determined, only 30% (n=48) depended on the pulse; while 56.3% (n=90) used the monitor. Other methods to identify ROSC were echocardiography in 3.75% (n=6), waking up in 9.38% (n=15), breathing in 4.38% (n=7), and coughing in 2.5% (n=4) of the patients. CONCLUSIONS: The success rate of CPR and neurological outcomes for survivors in TVMDs are better than outcomes among real patients. ROSC identification also varied from common clinical practice. TVMDs portrayal of CPR outcomes significantly misrepresents outcomes in reality. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: TVMDs are a major source of medical education among lay people. Inadequate representation of CPR outcomes may give families false hope. DISCLOSURES: No relevant relationships by Abbas Alshami, source=Web Response Advisory Committee Member relationship with Zoll Please note: $5001 - $20000 Added 03/14/2019 by Sharon Einav, source=Web Response, value=Travel<br Advisory Committee Member relationship with Medtronic Please note: $20001 - $100000 Added 03/14/2019 by Sharon Einav, source=Web Response, value=Intellectual property rights Advisory Committee Member relationship with Diasorin Please note: $1001 - $5000 Added 03/14/2019 by Sharon Einav, source=Web Response, value=Grant/Research Support No relevant relationships by Luz Ramirez, source=Web Response No relevant relationships by Joseph Varon, source=Web Response No relevant relationships by Daryelle Varon, source=Web Response

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation techniques on television medical dramas: results of the TVMD2 study

Purpose: Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) techniques and guidelines have been developed to improve survival from cardiac death. These include soliciting help if available, initiating CPR immediately with continuous adequate chest compressions and artificial ventilation, identification and defibrillation of shockable rhythm, among others. We aimed to assess if CPR techniques in television medical dramas (TVMDs) are adequate.

Mostly, do no harm: Representations of morality in the television medical drama The Resident

Television programmes continue to impart ‘narratives, consumer choice’ and ‘moral predispositions’, although there is conjecture among scholars over the influence of television on the formation of a moral viewpoint in audiences. These components allow consumers to evaluate the content of television shows in the light of their own cultural understandings of morality and then either accept or reject them. This article uses thematic analysis to reveal patterns in the representations of moral ambiguity in the first season of the television show The Resident (2018–present), a contemporary US-based television series that is broadcast to global audiences in a number of international territories. The series explores the intricacies of hospital management, patient care and medical ethics particularly in light of increasing commercial pressures within a US context. Our analysis shows that the series grapples with four main themes: do no harm, experts and egos, money muddies morality and good versus evil, and in doing so, interrogates the basis of implicit knowledge about right, wrong and individual responsibility in western culture.

The usefulness of TV medical dramas for teaching clinical pharmacology: A content analysis of House, M.D.

Abstract Introduction Television medical dramas enjoy great popularity among the general public and university students. These dramas have been used to illustrate important aspects of medical training (doctor–patient relationships, professionalism, ethical conflicts), but their usefulness for discussing the use of drugs in medical care remains unexplored. We analyzed pharmacological issues in House, M.D. to determine their potential usefulness in teaching clinical pharmacology. Material and methods Two investigators, blind to each other's responses, reviewed each of the 22 episodes of the first season of House, M.D., recording the main and secondary topics dealt with as well as the drugs portrayed and rating the episode's interest for teaching clinical pharmacology (High/Medium/Low). Discordant ratings were settled by a third (or fourth, if necessary) investigator. Results Most episodes included information on drugs; in six, pharmacologic issues were the main topics. The episodes dealt with 115 drugs, mainly anti-infective (16.5%), cardiovascular (12.2%), CNS-acting (12.2%), and analgesic or anti-inflammatory (12.2%) drugs. Five episodes were considered very useful for teaching clinical pharmacology. Discussion The episodes of the first season of House, M.D. contained frequent references to drug treatment and pharmacological issues; in a few episodes, the main topic was related with clinical pharmacology. Before medical dramas are recommended as a regular teaching tool, their pedagogical efficacy should be tested empirically.

의학드라마 캐릭터와 내러티브를 통해 본 드라마 삽입곡의 역할에 대한 고찰- 「하얀 거탑」과 「낭만 닥터 김사부」를 중심으로 -

의학드라마 캐릭터와 내러티브를 통해 본 드라마 삽입곡의 역할에 대한 고찰- 「하얀 거탑」과 「낭만 닥터 김사부」를 중심으로 -

Диагностирующая стратегия отечественного и американского дискурса телевизионной медицинской драмы

The article analyzes the implementation of the diagnostic strategy of television medical drama discourse in Russian and American linguoculture on the material of the series “Practice” and “Grey's Anatomy” as the most striking examples of this type of discourse. The study highlights the phenomenon of medicalization and the genre of the television medical drama, introduces the concept of the medical drama television discourse and discusses it definitional properties, as well as the ways of achievement of compliance at the diagnostic stage in Russian and American medical drama television discourse.

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation on television: are we miseducating the public?

BackgroundOut-of-hospital cardiac arrest survival rates in the UK are poor, and non-medically trained individuals have been identified to perform substandard cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Millions watch televised medical dramas and, for...

Does the "script" need a rewrite? Is medication advice in television medical dramas appropriate?

Television medical dramas depict the healthcare industry and draw considerable interest from the public, while pharmacists play an integral part in providing medication-related advice to the public and other health practitioners in real life. The main objective of this retrospective, observational study was to assess the appropriateness of medication advice given in televised medical dramas and how frequently pharmacists were involved in providing the medication advice. Show selection was based on fictional series with a medical drama theme and having the highest viewership. Approximately 100 randomly selected hours of five medical television dramas (House, Grey's Anatomy, Nurse Jackie, Doc Martin and Royal Pains) were assessed for the appropriateness of advice given based on the medication indicated, number of safety checks performed, and the level of adherence to standard clinical guidelines. The appropriateness of medication advice was assessed as appropriate, mostly appropriate, partially appropriate and inappropriate using a piloted, 0-6 point scale. Other parameters recorded included patient demographics, health professionals involved, and the categories of medicines. Medications were mentioned on 424 occasions (on average four times per hour), including 239 occasions where medication advice was given. A pharmacist was involved in giving medication advice only 16 times (7%). Using the assessment tool, overall, medication advice was deemed to be appropriate 24% of the time, mostly appropriate 34%, partially appropriate 13% and inappropriate 7%. Although the medication advice given was often for the correct indication and the advice somewhat followed clinical guidelines, it frequently omitted adequate safety checks. Doc Martin had the highest mean appropriateness score, whereas House and Grey's Anatomy had the lowest. Medication was often used for the correct indication in television medical dramas; however, key safety checks were frequently omitted and other medication-related advice, including dose, was less reliable and accurate. Pharmacists were rarely involved in providing medication advice. Viewers should not base medication-related decisions solely on what they see in television medical dramas, and any medication-related advice should be interpreted with extreme caution.

PAs

From the very beginning, popular media has played an essential role in driving public awareness and recognition of physician assistants (PAs) as major contributors to healthcare. But for PAs, popular media can be a double-edged sword. Over time, the roles of PAs have evolved from bit players to leading characters on television medical dramas. Even so, on some occasions, the roles of PAs have been marginalized and misrepresented. In the future, the PA profession will need to remain vigilant about how PAs are portrayed in the popular media and must learn how to use the full benefit of the media to promote the profession's diversity, flexibility, collegiality, and civic-mindedness.

Resuscitation education in television medical dramas: The TVMD study

Resuscitation education in television medical dramas: The TVMD study