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THE GOOD DOCTOR: DRAMA VS REALITY OF BEING A SURGEON?
Sofia Chaudrey
*Phillips Exeter Academy, Exeter, NH
The Good Doctor is an American medical drama television series that features the life and endeavors of Shaun Murphy, a surgical resident with autism. I was intrigued by the show to a point that I wanted to become a surgeon. But then I realized that I had no real-life experience of a surgeon’s life.
Objectives: Obtain real life observation of a surgeon’s day to day life.
Methods: I reached out to few local hospitals but was informed that individuals < 18 years of age were not allowed into the operating room. Eventually I found a community hospital that had waived such restriction. In August of 2024, I shadowed a general surgeon to determine the accuracy of surgeries and hospital environments depicted on the television show. I observed surgeries such as a gallbladder removal, hernia repair, and partial colectomy, all performed laparoscopically.
Results: While the technical aspects of the procedures mostly resembled those shown in
The Good Doctor, the ambiance of the operating room was calmer and relatively leisurely. Both fictional and real surgeons conducted laparoscopic procedures with great care, emphasizing the sterility of tools and the room and relying heavily on other team members including the anesthesiologist and scrub nurse. However, the show often depicted the surgical team as extremely tense or nervous, constantly apprehensive of an emergency. In real life, the team maintained a pleasant composure, conversing with one another about their families and recent doings. While the team in real life clearly acknowledged the risk of complications, that fear was not their sole focus during the procedure. Instead, they remained optimistic and cautiously worked towards conducting a successful operation.
Conclusion:
This comparison demonstrates that while this blockbuster TV show:
The Good Doctor may have accurately reflected the appearance and steps of laparoscopic procedures, it struggled to depict the often cheerful and collected dispositions of the surgical team rather than those of extreme fear and stress. The operations I intend to observe in the future will further indicate the degree to which television shows reliably depict surgical settings. Many individuals do not have the opportunity to observe a hospital setting to spot differences from what is shown on medical shows. Television has become a method of communication and a form of learning for many. Since perceptions of a setting can often impact the experience taking place, it is crucial to share findings regarding disparities between television and real-life medical settings and establish reality for those who may not be able to make such discoveries themselves.
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