What’s wrong with these TV medical dramas?!

By MDLinx staff

Published April 2, 2025

Key Takeaways

Industry Buzz

“As a neurosurgeon, it can be painful to watch most fictional depictions of neurosurgery. My favorite, however, is Grey's Anatomy, which depicts a group of general surgery residents fluidly operating with a variety of subspecialty surgeons who have separate residencies. But even I will admit...it is very entertaining 😂.” — Rupa Juthani, MD, clinical assistant professor, department of neurosurgery at NYU Grossman School of Medicine.

Find more of your peers' perspectives and insights below.

A recent viral Instagram Reel by neurosurgeon Rupa Juthani, MD, is sparking frustration among physicians over how medical dramas, like Grey’s Anatomy, portray their field. The post calls attention to Hollywood’s unrealistic depictions of neurosurgery, and doctors across specialties are weighing in.

Entertaining... and ridiculous

“As a neurosurgeon, it can be painful to watch most fictional depictions of neurosurgery,” she says. “My favorite, however, is Grey's Anatomy, which depicts a group of general surgery residents fluidly operating with a variety of subspecialty surgeons who have separate residencies. But even I will admit...it is very entertaining 😂.”

In medical dramas, a patient is rushed into the OR for an “emergency” craniotomy. The star neurosurgeon makes one swift incision, removes a tumor in minutes, and—cue dramatic music—the patient wakes up, mid-suture, fully recovered.

Spreading harmful medical myths

Physicians are tired of these inaccuracies. As one doctor commented on Dr. Juthani’s Reel, “Surgeries always last like 15 minutes 😂.” In reality, neurosurgical procedures often stretch well beyond 12 hours, requiring precision and coordination among specialists.

It’s not just neurosurgeons speaking out. Anesthesiologists have also expressed frustration with how Grey’s Anatomy and similar shows depict surgical complications. The portrayal often oversimplifies the critical roles different specialties play in managing these situations, neglecting the expertise of anesthesiologists in handling blood loss, medications, and other life-saving interventions during surgery.

These inaccuracies contribute to unrealistic patient expectations. Neurosurgeons often explain why patients won’t be fully alert after brain surgery, or why interventions can’t be rushed. Emergency physicians face the misconception that stroke diagnoses are instant. Cardiologists deal with patients expecting rapid, miracle recoveries based on TV portrayals.

While most physicians understand that these shows are for entertainment, the spread of misinformation has real consequences. Doctors like Dr. Juthani are using social media to challenge these myths and educate the public.

In an era where misinformation spreads faster than facts, physicians are taking to digital platforms to reclaim the narrative—one viral post at a time.