Neurosurgery in Contemporary Medical Dramas: How Grey's Anatomy & Co. May Affect Perception of Neurosurgery in the Media

2020 ◽  
Vol 81 (06) ◽  
pp. 495-500
Author(s):  
Merle Pilz ◽  
Walter Stummer ◽  
Markus Holling

Abstract Background Neurosurgery is a common topic in contemporary medical dramas. This study aimed to examine depictions of several neurosurgical diseases and techniques as well as the perception of the personality of neurosurgeons in the media, focusing on their impact on the physician-patient relationship. Methods TV series and movies with a main focus on neurosurgeons and/or neurosurgical diseases were identified by consulting the International Movie Database (IMDb). Results After investigation of many TV series and movies, we identified five main topics: vascular neurosurgery, neuro-oncology, neurointensive care, neurosurgical techniques, and neurosurgeon's personality. The portrayal of neurosurgery in medical drama is characterized to a large extent by sensationalism, a lot of misinformation, and an unfavorable portrayal of neurosurgeons, although it is assumed that expert advice was sought in advance of every production. Conclusions Considering the popularity of medical dramas and movies dealing with medical topics, we must consider the general public's picture of neurosurgery to be widely influenced by the media.

2020 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hessameddin Riahi ◽  
Shabnam Bazmi ◽  
Seyed Ali Enjoo ◽  
Shirin Ahmadnia ◽  
Leila Afshar

Background: In modern-day medicine, there is plenty of evidence-based communication studies implying that good physician-patient communication provides better diagnosis and treatment, as well as patient satisfaction and compliance with the therapeutic plan. Medical educators who promote better communication to strengthen the physician-patient relationship believe that shared decision-making is the most favorable model after the era of paternalistic and consumeristic models as the dominant types of interpersonal communication between doctors and their patients. On the other hand, different media, especially medical dramas, if properly targeted, can be used as an educational tool for health workers and a cultural factor for the whole society to ameliorate the current difficulties in the physician-patient relationship. Objectives: Therefore, this study aimed to determine how the Iranian national TV medical drama represents the physician-patient relationship. Methods: We used a qualitative inquiry to analyze a medical drama about hospital affairs, named The Nurses, which was produced by the Iranian national television with the cooperation and sponsorship of Iran’s Ministry of Health and broadcasted as a two-season television drama in 46 episodes during 2016 - 2017. In this regard, all aspects of physician-patient communication were analyzed based on the thematic deductive content analysis method. Results: The study reviewed 46 out of 51 episodes. Each sene that represented the physician-patient relationship was analyzed based on a developed checklist. The checklist was prepared based on a literature review, and its content validity was approved by the medical ethics experts. Conclusions: The findings of this study showed that this medical drama paradoxically represented the paternalistic model of the physician-patient relationship that was inconsistent with the formal views of Iranian authorities.


2006 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luigi Anolli ◽  
Fabrizia Mantovani ◽  
Alessia Agliati ◽  
Olivia Realdon ◽  
Valentino Zurloni ◽  
...  

1987 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 55-97 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fran Carnerie

AbstractMany individuals develop a temporary state of cognitive and emotional impairment after being diagnosed with catastrophic illness. Thus, when crucial decisions about medical treatment are required, they are unable to assimilate information; or worse, the legal need to be informed can rival a psychological desire to not be informed. The Canadian informed consent doctrine is unresponsive to crisis and clinically impracticable, and so paradoxically compromises the integrity and autonomy it was designed to protect. Many aspects of the physician-patient relationship and clinical setting also undermine the philosophical values enshrined in this doctrine. This further jeopardizes the individual's integrity. The Article explores proposals for change such as delaying the informing and consenting, improving the concept of consent, and improving the role of the physician.


2021 ◽  
pp. bmjspcare-2020-002764
Author(s):  
Catherine Owusuaa ◽  
Irene van Beelen ◽  
Agnes van der Heide ◽  
Carin C D van der Rijt

ObjectivesAccurate assessment that a patient is in the last phase of life is a prerequisite for timely initiation of palliative care in patients with a life-limiting disease, such as advanced cancer or advanced organ failure. Several palliative care quality standards recommend the surprise question (SQ) to identify those patients. Little is known about physicians’ views on identifying and disclosing the last phase of life of patients with different illness trajectories.MethodsData from two focus groups were analysed using thematic analysis with a phenomenological approach.ResultsFifteen medical specialists and general practitioners participated. Participants thought prediction of patients’ last phase of life, i.e. expected death within 1 year, is important. They seemed to find that prediction is more difficult in patients with advanced organ failure compared with cancer. The SQ was considered a useful prognostic tool; its use is facilitated by its simplicity but hampered by its subjective character. The medical specialist was considered mainly responsible for prognosticating and gradually disclosing the last phase. Participants’ reluctance to such disclosure was related to uncertainty around prognostication, concerns about depriving patients of hope, affecting the physician–patient relationship, or a lack of time or availability of palliative care services.ConclusionsPhysicians consider the assessment of patients’ last phase of life important and support use of the SQ in patients with different illness trajectories. However, barriers in disclosing expected death are prognostic uncertainty, possible deprivation of hope, physician–patient relationship, and lack of time or palliative care services. Future studies should examine patients’ preferences for those discussions.


1988 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 195-200 ◽  
Author(s):  
Albert R. Jonsen

The activity of prescribing therapeutic drugs is one of the most significant features of the physician-patient relationship. This activity must be understood in moral, as well as technical terms. The ancient Greek word for drug had three meanings, providing the outline for an ethics of medication: remedy, poison and magical charm. Corresponding to these three meanings are three ethical principles: competence in therapeutic application, avoidance of harm and honesty.


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