Medical romance holds a powerful allure for readers and viewers alike. Think of the long-running success of medical dramas like ER, Scrubs, and Grey’s Anatomy – they captivate us. Year after year, compelling medical romances grace bookshelves, with titles like L.A. Metro by RJ Nolan, Fated Love by Radclyffe, and Ask, Tell by E.J. Noyes becoming enduring favorites for many. What’s the secret to this enduring appeal?
These stories offer a unique glimpse into a world most of us only encounter briefly, and often not by choice. Hospitals are places of intense experiences, both dramatic and deeply personal. Medical romances and dramas peel back the layers of this world, revealing the passion and humanity within, all from the comfort and safety of our own homes. They let us explore the extraordinary within the ordinary, the love and connection forged in high-pressure environments.
But what happens when the writer isn’t an outsider looking in? What about when the author is a doctor themselves, immersed daily in the reality of hospital life? That’s my perspective. As a writer of lesbian fiction, specifically medical romance, and as a practicing doctor, I bring a unique lens to the genre. Yet, the daily grind of medical work, the routine paperwork and procedures, isn’t the stuff of compelling romance.
Writers of Doctor Romance inherently understand the need to filter reality. The mundane aspects are left behind, replaced by heightened drama and emotionally charged situations. Sometimes, this pushes the boundaries of believability, even venturing into the impossible with depictions of superhuman feats by protagonists who often seem to act with questionable responsibility.
My own journey into writing medical romance began alongside my wife. Dating – or as we jokingly called it, “being really good friends who snuggle on the sofa” – we bonded over ER reruns. We’d dissect the medical accuracy, or lack thereof, often with humorous frustration. But our daily return to the show wasn’t about medical critique; it was about the characters, the compelling storylines, and the relatable emotions that drew us in.
However, when I transitioned from medical professional to romance writer, I initially lost sight of this crucial element. The shift wasn’t seamless.
Dissecting the Narrative: Keeping the Heart, Removing the Jargon
In my debut novel, Irregular Heartbeat, a pivotal scene involved Diana, an ER resident with a past as a drummer, desperately trying to save a woman from an opioid overdose. My first draft of this scene was steeped in hyper-realism. Characters spoke in rapid-fire medical jargon and abbreviations. I meticulously detailed every action, down to which hand was used for each step. It read more like a medical textbook on overdose treatment and intubation procedures.
While technically accurate, it was utterly devoid of romantic appeal.
The core purpose of the scene wasn’t to showcase my medical expertise or my character’s medical prowess. It was to reveal Diana’s composure under immense pressure, particularly in a situation that became deeply personal.
The solution was drastic but necessary. I excised the excessive medical detail, stripping the scene back to its emotional core. I focused on conveying the tension, the urgency, and Diana’s inner strength. I then re-layered the scene with emotions, the very elements that resonate with readers. I sought a balance: authentic language without overwhelming exposition.
This, I believe, is the delicate dance of medical romance and drama writers. They prioritize the emotional landscape, using just enough medical detail to create a sense of authenticity. The accuracy of these details varies; some writers meticulously research, others… less so.
Does absolute medical accuracy truly matter to the reader? Medical professionals often cringe at the cliché of shocking a flatline back to life (a common misconception – it simply doesn’t work that way, despite what Hollywood portrays). But the broader audience likely overlooks these inaccuracies, focusing instead on the human drama. Yet, as a doctor-writer, the ambition to get it right, to respect the realities of the medical world while crafting a compelling romance, remains.
Love Under Pressure: The Unrealistic Realities of Hospital Romance
What about the other side of medical romance – the often-exaggerated human behavior? The whirlwind affairs, the clandestine encounters in on-call rooms, the dramatic repercussions of personal lives spilling into professional duties and patient care? Surely, these are purely fictional exaggerations?
Surprisingly, not entirely. The hospital environment, with its high stakes, intense emotions, and close-knit communities, can breed extraordinary situations. I know of a colleague famed for breaking multiple beds in on-call rooms across different hospitals. I worked with a psychiatrist who had been married nine times, predominantly to doctors and nurses, with several ex-spouses still within the same hospital system. Another colleague suffered a breakdown triggered by discovering his partner’s affair with the chief of surgery. I’ve even encountered a pregnant doctor openly unsure which of her two colleagues was the father. Discreet relationships, both successful and spectacularly failed, are a common undercurrent in hospital life.
And I’m not exempt. My own relationship with my wife began at work, during a resuscitation. Our attempts at discretion proved futile. The nursing staff had a betting pool on when, not if, we would become a couple.
Therefore, the seemingly “unrealistic” human drama in doctor romance often mirrors the hidden realities of hospital life. The improbable scenarios writers invent are often rooted in actual events that have unfolded, and will continue to unfold, within hospital walls.
And yes, we, as readers, will continue to be captivated by these stories, drawn to the blend of high-stakes medicine and passionate romance. Just as long as no one tries to shock a flatline.
Chris Zett is the author of lesbian medical romances Irregular Heartbeat and Heart Failure. When not on the ICU, she enjoys reading, writing, and traveling.
