Since its debut in 2005, Grey’s Anatomy has captivated audiences worldwide, including myself, a then pre-med student drawn to the dramatic portrayal of surgical residents and attending physicians. Even back then, certain aspects seemed exaggerated for television, but it was only after becoming a general surgery intern that the stark contrast between the show and real-life hospital dynamics became truly apparent.
While the dramatic liberties taken by Grey’s Anatomy are understandable for entertainment purposes and viewership, the series often over-glamorizes the lives of residents and, at times, disseminates inaccurate medical information. This romanticized depiction of residency as a constant whirlwind of excitement and high-stakes drama might mislead aspiring medical professionals, potentially leading to a rude awakening when they experience the realities of surgical training. My own internship certainly presented a significant divergence from the Grey’s Anatomy narrative.
One of the most glaring discrepancies during my intern year was the show’s portrayal of interns routinely participating in complex surgeries like brain surgery on a daily basis. In reality, surgical interns primarily focus on patient floor management. Their operating room exposure is limited, usually involving assisting in emergencies or routine procedures.
The daily grind of a surgical intern is often filled with tasks far removed from the operating room’s drama. This includes drawing blood for lab tests, inputting orders for nursing staff, communicating with patient families, coordinating discharge plans with social workers, escorting patients for diagnostic tests, and obtaining informed consent for surgeries. In contrast, second-year residents typically handle consultations, at least within my program and others I’m familiar with. Grey’s Anatomy seemingly skips these crucial foundational stages, depicting interns as if they were already functioning at a chief resident level in the OR, which is highly improbable.
Egregious Errors and Unrealistic Scenarios in Grey’s Anatomy
Beyond the overemphasis on OR time, Grey’s Anatomy interns and residents frequently commit significant errors with seemingly minor repercussions, a stark contrast to the stringent reality of medical training. For instance, Izzie Stevens’ deliberate act of cutting Denny Duquette’s LVAD wire to elevate his transplant priority, resulted in a reprimand but allowed her to continue her residency. In the real world, such an action would lead to immediate dismissal from the program, potential lawsuits, and the likely revocation of her medical license, possibly even facing criminal charges. Furthermore, the ethical breach of romantic relationships between physicians and patients, a recurring theme in the show, is strictly forbidden in actual medical practice.
The show also frequently overlooks the established chain of command within a hospital setting. In most surgical residency programs, junior residents are supervised by senior residents, who in turn report to attending physicians. However, Grey’s Anatomy often blurs these hierarchical lines, lacking clear distinctions in resident seniority.
As an intern, directly approaching an attending physician without first consulting a senior resident, as often depicted in the show, was simply not done. An intern bypassing a chief resident to deliver patient information to an attending would likely frustrate both the chief and the attending physician, disrupting the established workflow and respect for seniority.
The scheduling system portrayed in Grey’s Anatomy also deviates significantly from the structured schedules of real surgical residents. The notion of residents randomly assigned to neurosurgery one day, pediatric surgery the next, and plastic surgery the following day is unrealistic. Surgical residents are typically assigned to a specific service for a defined period, often a month. Scheduling is not the free-for-all implied in Grey’s Anatomy, where residents seemingly choose their service based on the most interesting cases or, as often depicted, romantic interests among attendings.
Moreover, general surgery residents typically do not rotate through specialties like orthopedics or neurosurgery as shown in Grey’s Anatomy. These are distinct residency programs. Once a physician matches into a general surgery residency, orthopedics and neurosurgery are not considered rotation options unless they choose to switch residency programs entirely.
Medical Accuracy and Overlooked Details: Intubation and Patient Care
While some dramatic liberties are expected for entertainment, the medical inaccuracies in Grey’s Anatomy, particularly concerning basic procedures, are often baffling. A recurring oversight that I found particularly jarring involves endotracheal intubation. Close-up shots of intubated patients during surgery frequently reveal the endotracheal tube unsecured by tape. In actual surgical practice, securing the tube with tape is a standard procedure to prevent displacement, which could lead to severe respiratory distress and potentially death due to the potent anesthetics that paralyze respiratory muscles, rendering patients temporarily unable to breathe independently.
Another overlooked detail is the absence of eye taping on surgical patients in the show. Failing to tape patients’ eyes shut during surgery can result in corneal abrasions, a preventable complication. This is a recognized standard of care in real hospitals. I even wrote to the show’s producers pointing out these inaccuracies, particularly regarding patient close-ups, suggesting that even small details like tape could significantly enhance realism. While I never received a response, knowing that the show employs medical consultants makes these persistent inaccuracies even more perplexing.
Despite these deviations from medical reality, Grey’s Anatomy remains a personal favorite. Having watched every episode for ten seasons, I appreciate the captivating and dramatic lives of the characters and occasionally indulge in the fantasy of a residency within the fictional Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital. However, it is important to distinguish between the entertainment value of the show and the actual rigorous and demanding, yet profoundly rewarding, journey of becoming a real-life doctor.
