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Did you know that shows in the medical field are more popular when it comes to shows we watch? Amazing, right?! These are the exact shows I love to watch. I’m actually not surprised at all that these are some of the highest viewed shows. Did you know that the medical shows are not really what it’s like in real life either?
We recently asked Dr. Ryan Shelton Zenith Labs what some of the biggest differences were between TV shows and real life and he was able to give us some insight. There was a lot that I learned! I personally love watching medical shows on TV, so this was especially interesting to me.
Balancing Care
Doctors really don’t spend a lot of time with patients at their side. They’ll go in and check on them sometimes, but it’s the nurses who are in charge. They are the ones who are checking in on patients a lot.
Forms & Insurance
Filling out forms takes up a lot of their day. You don’t see that much on TV. This is probably because it’s not fun to watch. Health Insurance is also a pain in real life. It’s another thing that isn’t shown on TV because of how dull it is.
CPR
This is nothing like it is shown on TV. When someone performs CPR, it can save a patient’s life, but it isn’t a cure. This is just a temporary fix. In real life, it saves 1 out of 30 lives.
Oxygen Tent
If you watch medical shows, sometimes you see them being shocked back to life with an oxygen tent. They’re really used for forms of heart arrhythmias, not bringing someone back to life when the heart has already stopped. The reason they probably do this on TV is for more drama.
Giving Birth
Giving birth on TV seems more relaxed. As a mom myself, I know this isn’t true. When moms arrive at the hospital, they most likely get induced. That was the case for me too. Giving birth can be a long process. It can take many hours at times.
Diagnosis
It can take a very long time to diagnose an undetermined sickness. In some shows, you’ll see that it doesn’t take long at all. That is not the case in real life. They work very long and hard to figure out these sicknesses. One easy test doesn’t usually work for a diagnosis. It takes many before they can get to the real deal.
Romance
When I see medical shows, I see a lot of charm between the doctors and nurses. This really doesn’t happen much in real life. You won’t see much for romance in a hospital. Doctors work a lot, so they don’t have the time for this. If it were to happen, they would keep it very professional. Everything would be left outside and in their own homes.
Doctor-Patient Relationships
Have you ever noticed relationships with doctors and patients in shows? This doesn’t usually happen in real life. They have rules against this. You shouldn’t have any involvement with a patient.
Behavior
When you watch a medical show, do you see that doctors are not always nice to their patients? That doesn’t happen in real life. Doctors try to be very kind to their patients. Patients don’t like it when they’re not being nice to them. They will not take it well either. Doctors are not supposed to be mean, and they could even lose their job if they acted like this.
Make Believe VS. Real Life
Medical shows are so entertaining. Parts that are make-believe probably won’t even be fixed. Drama is what everyone likes to watch. Many also enjoy the fact that doctors can diagnose patients quickly. They even like that mothers give birth quickly upon arriving at the hospital. You just have to remember what is real and what isn’t.
Thank you to Dr. Ryan Shelton Zenith Labs for giving us this informative breakdown and the reminder that not everything is the same in real life as it is on medical TV shows.
I really enjoyed reading this. I’ve always known that TV dramas are in no way reflective of real life, but it was fun to read a doctor’s take on them.
Right, it’s amazing how different they really are.
This was a fun read. I watch a lot of medical shows and was curious on what was real and fake. I figured the romance stuff probably didn’t happen as often!
Me too. I love medical shows.
That is a lot to think about! I have noticed with shows that certainly childbirth is NOT at all like on tv. I have had two different experiences and neither were even close to TV lol
Exactly. Nothing is ever really the same.
A friend once told me too about her experience on giving birth. It’s really different for the tv dramas.
Yes, it sure is. I have two kids, and it is nothing like the shows.
It was interesting to read about the comparison between medical dramas and actual medical practice. It reminds me of how I critique law shows and how different they are from how I actually ran my law practice.
Yes, it’s so crazy to think of all the actual differences.
Very well said. I noticed those facts too. Doctors presence in his patients room doesn’t even last for 10 minutes. Am I right??🤔
Completely true. It’s kinda sad too. Nurses do so much.
Grace anatomy is one of my favorite medical shows I’ve learned a lot of medical procedure even though I’m not fan of medical show. This is is informative.
Greys Anatomy is a favorite of mine too. I love it.
I love watching medical drama and currently into New Amsterdam so knowing more about the differences straight from a real life doctor is interesting!
I’m going to start watching that one soon. It sounds really good.
I love medical shows too. It was nice to find out all these things about the real medical life.
I really love medical shows as well.
I remember my family doctor telling me he’s been tempted to get out of the business because of all the paperwork and red tape. He just wanted to be a doctor and spend his time healing rather than chained to a computer and dependent on the digital world.
I can only imagine all the work they have to do.
I love watching medical shows as well and I’ve seen videos stating similar things. Those are great points and it’s nice to know the difference between tv shows and real life.
I really love watching them as well. Grey’s Anatomy is a favorite of mine.
Most people forget the shows are called “dramas” for a reason. They are a dramatic depiction of real life possibilities squished down into half hour/hour long episodes. Good information!
Exactly. Things are so different on t.v. versus real life.
This is very interesting. I can agree with the fact that for TV they have to make it look easy and more exciting than it may be in real life. I just came from my doctor’s office and love them dearly. But, can see the days being so long.
I agree as well. It’s interesting to see the real differences.
I have always loved watching medical shows but I know that my mom hates them! ER was a HUGE hit show during my childhood and she would NOT watch it. She has been an ER nurse for 40+ years and can’t stand how inaccurate the shows are.
I remember watching ER when I was younger too. I loved that show.
They are some huge differences between real life and what’s on the tv! I used to watch hospital dramas
Yes, there sure are.
Yes reel and real are entirely different. Tv everything get exagerated. But in real it will not be as dramatic as it shows.
Exactly. There are so many differences.
My dad was a doctor and was always quick to point out that what we see on TV is not the way it works in real life. Now my son is a doctor and he has said the same thing!
It’s amazing how much different the two are.
Indeed great points and perspective! I love watching medical-related series and movies and reading this makes me ponder on this too. Definitely many different areas to take note of.
Right. It’s amazing how much different they really are.