Top 5 Medical TV Shows

By Joycelin Wong

​Whether you’re an aspiring doctor or you’re seeking to experience the thrill of the emergency room minus the blood, medical TV shows provide viewers with riveting stories that unfold behind the walls of a hospital. These TV dramas are becoming increasingly popular with many dominating fall ratings. If you’re looking for a binge worthy medical drama, here are the top five shows that will give you the rush of the E.R. 

Grey’s Anatomy 
Now on its sixteenth season, “Grey’s Anatomy” has an unprecedented legacy for being the longest running medical TV show. The program revolves around the professional and private lives of medical practitioners, from surgical interns to attendings, at Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital. Meredith Grey, played by Ellen Pompeo, is one of the few original cast members that has remained on the show. Love them or hate them, each character has a complex storyline that adds to the overall plot. However, Grey’s Anatomy isn’t only about the scandalous lives of these doctors; it also highlights the medical miracles that drastically influenced medicine. Often known as an emotional rollercoaster, Grey’s Anatomy is recognized for its riveting season finales and cliffhangers that will have you at the edge of your seat. Whether you want a show that will make you cry or one that will spark your interest in medicine, Grey’s Anatomy is a must-see drama!

​The Resident 
As a recent addition to the medical drama genre, “The Resident” rips back the curtain on ethical issues that health-care providers often attempt to hide. From romantic relationships to unforgettable patients, this show has everything you would ever want in a drama. Similar to Grey’s Anatomy, this provocative medical program unveils both the professional and personal challenges that doctors at Chastain Memorial Hospital have to face every day. Fighting against a suppressive hospital system that values profit over lives, doctors like Dr. Conrad Hawkins (Matt Czuchry) and nurse practitioners like Nic Nevin (Emily VanCamp) make difficult calls in the best interest of their patients. Primarily focused on the chaos of the E.R., the audience gets to see remarkable surgeries and medical cases. 

Chicago Med 
As the third installment of a franchise, “Chicago Med” is an exhilarating, fast-paced show. This program zooms in on the action that occurs in the emergency department at Gaffney Chicago Medical Center and the exciting lives of its doctors and nurses. “Chicago Med” differs from the normal medical shows as it frequently crosses over with characters from “Chicago Fire” and “Chicago P.D.” One aspect of the show that significantly stands out is that it also shines a light on psychiatry and psychology as opposed to solely focusing on the trauma cases that enter the hospital doors. Chicago Med also does a remarkable job intertwining fascinating plot lines and medical cases. 

The Night Shift 
With a similar plot to most medical TV shows, “The Night Shift” adds flare to the norm by portraying the disorder of the emergency room at night. A group of doctors who were previously deployed in the military return to San Antonio Memorial Hospital in hopes of saving lives and restoring a sense of normalcy in their own personal lives. “The Night Shift” highlights the struggles that people who served for our country often face, especially those who choose to continue leading active lives in service. This drama does a fantastic job of tackling a diverse range of social issues from discrimination to mental health.

​The Good Doctor 
Challenging the standards of the typical plot, “The Good Doctor” journeys through the life of a doctor with Autism and Savant Syndrome. Often at odds with the stigma against his disabilities, Shaun Murphy (Freddie Highmore) defies the odds as an aspiring doctor at San José St. Bonaventure Hospital. Struggling to form a personal connection with his patients and colleagues, Dr. Murphy utilizes his exceptional talents to save patients and elude the skepticism of his fellow doctors. The way in which Dr. Murphy’s mind functions shows just how fascinating medicine is.