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Background <p>Television (TV) has long influenced societal perceptions of professional roles, including those in medicine. Given the increasing emphasis on diversity and inclusion (D&amp;I) across healthcare, this study investigates whether these evolving societal values are reflected in the portrayal of medical doctors on TV.</p> Aims <p>To assess trends in the depiction of doctors in English-speaking medical TV dramas (1950s–2020s), focusing on diversity across gender, race, and LGBTQ + representation, and to examine whether key social and professional issues are portrayed over time.</p> Methods <p>A content analysis was conducted of 82 English-language medical TV dramas featuring physicians as central characters, spanning 1951–2020. Data were extracted from online databases and verified by researcher review. Demographic and thematic characteristics of main, core, and recurring physician characters were coded and analysed descriptively, with categorical comparisons via chi-squared testing.</p> Results <p>618 seasons across 82 series were analysed. Main characters (MCs) were predominantly caucasian (95%) and heterosexual (100%), with female MC representation increasing to 50% in the 2010s. Core and recurring characters demonstrated greater racial and sexual diversity. Key themes such as mental illness, drug dependence, and burnout became more prevalent over time. A progressive pattern of “peripheral-to-central” diversification was noted, whereby diversity first emerged in supporting roles before appearing in main characters.</p> Conclusions <p>While the portrayal of doctors on TV has diversified, significant gaps remain, especially regarding ethnic minority and LGBTQ + main characters. Continued evolution in representation could foster broader public identification and challenge outdated stereotypes in medicine.</p>

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A review of the portrayal of the medical doctor stereotype on television in english speaking countries (1954-present)

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年1月3日

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  • Cathal Flood,
  • Emily O’Dowd,
  • Eva Doherty,
  • Barry B. McGuire,
  • Fardod O’Kelly

摘要

Background

Television (TV) has long influenced societal perceptions of professional roles, including those in medicine. Given the increasing emphasis on diversity and inclusion (D&I) across healthcare, this study investigates whether these evolving societal values are reflected in the portrayal of medical doctors on TV.

Aims

To assess trends in the depiction of doctors in English-speaking medical TV dramas (1950s–2020s), focusing on diversity across gender, race, and LGBTQ + representation, and to examine whether key social and professional issues are portrayed over time.

Methods

A content analysis was conducted of 82 English-language medical TV dramas featuring physicians as central characters, spanning 1951–2020. Data were extracted from online databases and verified by researcher review. Demographic and thematic characteristics of main, core, and recurring physician characters were coded and analysed descriptively, with categorical comparisons via chi-squared testing.

Results

618 seasons across 82 series were analysed. Main characters (MCs) were predominantly caucasian (95%) and heterosexual (100%), with female MC representation increasing to 50% in the 2010s. Core and recurring characters demonstrated greater racial and sexual diversity. Key themes such as mental illness, drug dependence, and burnout became more prevalent over time. A progressive pattern of “peripheral-to-central” diversification was noted, whereby diversity first emerged in supporting roles before appearing in main characters.

Conclusions

While the portrayal of doctors on TV has diversified, significant gaps remain, especially regarding ethnic minority and LGBTQ + main characters. Continued evolution in representation could foster broader public identification and challenge outdated stereotypes in medicine.