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Are there any realistic books/tv shows about being a doctor?

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Tanya’s Answer

Most medical TV shows are dramatic and entertaining; some are funny with quirky characters. There is some truth to the diagnoses, treatments, medical terminology that is incorporated into the story line and dialogue. With that said, these shows are not reflective of the real medical world. Depending on what you choose to go into, training is long, exhausting, intimidating and tedious. The only shows you see are about ER’s. No one has written a script about pediatric primary care or geriatric endocrinology. As health care professionals, the TV shows are entertaining at best. Books tend to chronicle the experiences of an individual, somewhat like travel books - unless you experience it yourself, it is difficult to feel the reality of the passage. The book House of God is a fairly old book but quite accurate in its storyline regarding work in the ER. If you enjoy science, enjoy understanding your work from the molecular level on up, enjoy talking with people, investigating their medical stories, figuring out what to do for them - then medicine is a great field for you. But don’t go into Medicine believing that it reflects TV shows. You will be sorely disappointed. Go volunteer. See if the shoe fits. That’s how to best get a sense that this field is for you.
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Christopher’s Answer

“Trauma: Life in the ER” is a very accurate documentary style program. It aired in the Learning Channel; still airs on a different channel now and may be searchable. It follows drs and nurses in emergency medicine and trauma surgery primarily but also some of the medical and surgical specialists they consult. About as close as you will get.

As for fictional shows, I would argue that Scrubs is the closest thing I’ve seen on tv followed by ER. IMO most shows aren’t even close.

As for books, there are lots of good memoirs out there too. “House of God” is a classic Re: training and Scrubs actually references it heavily. For surgical specialty, “When Air Hits the Brain” and “Hot Lights, Cold Steel“ are well known. “Complications” is also a good read.

Christopher recommends the following next steps:

Search for “Trauma, Life in the ER” - DISCLAIMER: It can be graphic.
Search some of the above books at your library or pick up a cheap used copy online.
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Estelle’s Answer

Atul Gawande wrote two books that really captured my residency experience. I have asked my kids to read them or listen on audiobooks. They are called "Complications" and "Better." Fabulous books to be sure, in my opinion.
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Paul’s Answer

I agree with Tanya about House of God and Richard about the first season of ER. Scrubs is a funny TV show and the early seasons capture some essence of internship and residency. First Do No Harm by Dr. Rainer was a great book that helped me decide to go into medicine.
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Richard’s Answer

Agree with Tanya about reading House of God. I also enjoyed Arrowsmith. It deals with idealism and the loss of it during medical journey.

Plenty of nonfiction too like When Breath becomes Air are good reads.

TV shows are usually limited because they have to be dramatic and entertaining. The first season of the 90s TV show ER probably was as close to real life as you could get on TV. I was a medical student at the same time as the character Carter and felt his stress right along with him.
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