Patients' Perceptions of Physicians: A Pilot Study of the Influence of Prime-Time Fictional Medical Shows

Abstract

Much criticism has fallen onto prime-time crime shows for skewing the perception the public has on crime. Could the same criticism apply to prime-time medical dramas, which tend to be among the most watched television shows today, for skewing patients' expectations? In the past, physicians on prime-time fictional medical shows tended to be depicted in a positive manner. However, today's medical dramas often portray physicians in a less positive context. The results of this study showed that television exposure only negatively affect patients' perceptions of physicians in regards to physical attractiveness and character, but not to physician propriety, power, communication, sociability, extroversion, competence, and composure. In addition, this study showed that prime-time fictional shows affect patient-physician interactions.

Is Emergency Medicine the Right Choice for Me?

“…Patient expectations pose another challenge for EPs. This is getting more challenging with influential television medical dramas, such as ER, Grey's Anatomy, Code Black, and House M.D., raising the expectations of real patients (17)(18)(19)(20). Students selecting EM as a specialty will need excellent communication skills to manage patient expectations in the ED (2).…”

Medical Student Perception of Plastic Surgery and the Impact of Mainstream Media

“…With 95% of medical students having seen at least 1 episode of Gray's Anatomy and 75% having seen at least 3 seasons of the series, the potential for such programming to influence perceptions is enormous. 7 Interestingly, across the literature, the public, physicians, and students alike are well aware that plastic surgeons handle cosmetic procedures and burns. Even in a study by Park et al in 1998, the public knew that plastic surgeons treated patients with burns.…”

“…With 95% of medical students having seen at least 1 episode of Gray’s Anatomy and 75% having seen at least 3 seasons of the series, the potential for such programming to influence perceptions is enormous. 7…”

“…Using media as a tool to promote more accurate and progressive images of medicine is not a novel concept. 7 Dr Ron Stewart, former Minister of Health in the province of Nova Scotia, Canada, used the power of television to influence social change on a large level. Although working as a physician in a Los Angeles emergency department in the 1970s, he also served as a consultant for the popular medical television program “Emergency!” It was one of the first reality medical television programs and a precursor to ER .…”