This archive report was first published on 20 August 2021.
Published on August 20, 2021, a critical care doctor and television writer reflects on the challenges of balancing reality and entertainment in medical storytelling.
With millions of viewers tuning in to medical dramas, television has an unparalleled opportunity to educate and change behavior. However, this responsibility comes with a dilemma: how to tell true stories without losing viewers or resorting to creative liberties that compromise the accuracy of medical information.
The author, who has worked in both the intensive care unit and the writers' room, has grappled with this question. They recall a patient who was watching a medical show on TV while undergoing treatment, highlighting the impact that television can have on people's perceptions of medicine and health.
The author has come to believe that, in some cases, it's worth glossing over the facts to weave a story that encourages viewers to trust science and take action. This approach is not without its challenges, as the author struggles to define the line between their responsibility to reality and to entertainment.
