Over the years, medical dramas have become an important part of the television landscape, and while some are more focused on the drama than the medicine, others try their best to be medically accurate – and are better for it. As the name implies, medical dramas are television series that are set in hospitals or other medical settings, where doctors take care of patients while also dealing with their own personal issues. Like any TV genre, medical dramas come in all shapes and sizes, ranging from comedies to straight dramas, but they also vary in terms of realism.
There is no rule saying that medical dramas have to be accurate. Television is just as much for entertainment as it is for information. In this way, some medical shows like Grey’s Anatomy will bend the rules of medicine to create a more exciting storyline. After more than 20 seasons, this has clearly worked for the show. However, there are medical series that do take the time to be more medically accurate, and for the most part, this effort makes the shows way better than they would have been before.
5
Code Black
The Busiest ER In The US
A 2015 series that gained a lot of traction for its medical accuracy is Code Black. Based on a documentary of the same name, this three-season series takes place at the fictional Angels Memorial Hospital, where four first-year residents must work hard to keep up with the demands of their jobs. When the hospital hits the edges of its already low resources, they enter Code Black. The series stars Ben Hollingsworth, Marcia Gay Harden, Bonnie Somerville, Luis Guzman, Rob Lowe, and more.
Code Black is not always perfect, but it definitely brings the right energy to the table. According to medical influencer, Doctor Mike, Code Black feels like it was written by medical professionals rather than TV writers. In an interview with MedPageToday, he points out that the show succeeds at showing how doctors are affected by their jobs. It also perfectly highlights the struggles medical professionals face in terms of resources and the healthcare industry. While a “code black” may mean different things for different hospitals, the show itself is a solid watch.
4
House M.D.
A Holmesian Infectious Disease Doctor
A long-running medical drama that is surprisingly realistic is House M.D. In this 2004 show, a prickly doctor named Gregory House is an infectious disease expert and leads a team of ambitious young doctors in diagnosing and treating gravely ill patients. Though he is a brilliant physician, his bedside manner is lacking. In fact, most people hate House and his cruel ways. However, he continues to compel and captivate audiences with his Sherlock Holmes-like skills.
House M.D. focuses on rare diseases, and somehow, this makes the series even more accurate.
House M.D. focuses on rare diseases, and somehow, this makes the series even more accurate. Each case that comes across House’s desk is described in great detail and with plenty of real scientific jargon that could easily go over audiences’ heads. In a 2022 survey conducted by Mass General Brigham, doctors ranked House M.D. as the most accurate medical show, with a doctor even admitting that she learned a lot about diagnosis from the show. House himself may not be a good depiction of doctors, but his medicine certainly is.
3
Scrubs
A Realistic Medical Comedy
Despite being a comedy, Scrubs is often cited as one of the most medically accurate shows around. The 2001 series, which ran for nine seasons, follows a group of doctors who welcome a new set of interns to their team and carry out their day-to-day duties at Sacred Heart Hospital. Over time, romances ensue, disasters strike, and characters grow in important ways. Zach Braff, Donald Faison, Sarah Chalke, and Judy Reyes star.
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Scrubs definitely takes some liberties for dramatic or comedic effect, but as a whole, the show is quite accurate in depicting the everyday jobs of physicians. Unlike other medical shows, which focus on crises and trauma, Scrubs focuses on the mundane in a thoughtful and true way. In a 2009 interview with Slate, rheumatologist Jonathan Samuels explained that J.D.’s running monologue throughout the show is super realistic, and showcases the regular fears and worries that a resident might have. He is not a superhero, but a doctor in training trying his best.
2
ER
An Iconic Medical Series
Medical dramas have been part of television for a long time, but the series that really boosted their popularity is ER. Running for 15 seasons starting in 1994, ER follows the staff of the County General emergency department in Chicago. In the face of the city’s high crime rates, the doctors, nurses, and interns must band together to keep the chaos under control. Meanwhile, life and personal dramas get in the way. The show stars Anthony Edwards, George Clooney, Julianna Margulies, and Noah Wyle.
ER’s medical accuracy really lies in its attention to detail. Throughout its run, the show worked hard to include real medical jargon and procedures, while also showing the intensity of treating trauma patients. While some situations work out a bit too perfectly, for the most part, the show tries to showcase real doctors taking on real situations. Doctor Mike ranks ER as the most accurate medical drama out there, (MedPageToday.) Additionally, many doctors have cited ER as the reason they went into medicine in the first place, (Business Insider.)
1
The Pitt
A Unique Peek Into The Emergency Room
Finally, a new medical drama that has blown its predecessors out of the water is The Pitt. This 2025 Max series takes place at Pittsburgh Trauma Medical Hospital, where attendings, residents, med students and nurses all come in for a single shift that turns into chaos. With each episode covering an hour of the day, The Pitt explores the trauma faced by medical professionals on the daily, along with the downfalls of the healthcare system.
The Pitt has been renewed for a second season.
Over the course of its first season, The Pitt has not only received rave reviews, but earned stamps of approval from countless doctors. In an interview with Vulture, Dr. Lukas Ramcharran explained that The Pitt’s greatness lies in the fast pace of the show and the anxiety that permeates each moment. He said, “Unlike other shows, it doesn’t linger in long dramatic plotlines. There’s no time for that, because it’s one shift and everything they’re doing has to revolve around what’s actually happening between people in the ER.” Hopefully, the medical drama can continue to make doctors proud.
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