Introduction to the Popular Medical Drama Series ‘House’
The TV series ‘House’, which follows the daily life of the brilliant yet unlikeable Dr. Gregory House, a medical Sherlock Holmes tackling nearly insoluble cases he almost always manages to solve, aired from 2004 to 2012. At its peak, the American series attracted nearly 20 million viewers per episode.
A Croatian Medical Team Analyzes ‘House’ for Scientific Errors
A study conducted by three Croatian doctors who meticulously examined the 177 episodes of ‘House’, one of the most successful medical series in recent years, has revealed numerous scientific inaccuracies. These include a neurologist performing a colonoscopy or the use of mercury thermometers.
The Study’s Focus and Findings
Denis Cerimagic, a professor at the University of Dubrovnik and lead author of the study titled “Dr. House: Between Reality and Fiction,” explains, “We focused on the main case diagnoses, how they portray clinical practice and medical errors.”
The team identified a total of 77 errors in the series. The most glaring mistake is Dr. House, who limps, carrying his cane on the wrong side to “emphasize his limp more effectively” on screen, according to Cerimagic.
Other inaccuracies include the appearance of mercury thermometers, which are no longer used, chemotherapies capable of curing various tumors, and the rapid availability of complex test results.
The Study’s Objective and Relevance
“We wanted to write an article that would be interesting for both medical professionals and readers with limited medical knowledge,” explains Cerimagic, co-author of the study alongside Goran Ivkic and Ervina Bilic.
In recent years, medical dramas have become increasingly accurate in their portrayal of the medical profession. “Now, only healthcare professionals can spot the errors,” notes Cerimagic.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the TV series ‘House’ about? It’s a medical drama that follows Dr. Gregory House, an unconventional and brilliant diagnostician who leads a team of diagnosticians at the fictional New Jersey hospital, Princeton-Plainsboro.
- Who conducted the study on ‘House’? Three Croatian doctors, fans of the series, analyzed 177 episodes for scientific inaccuracies.
- What are some examples of errors found in ‘House’? These include a neurologist performing a colonoscopy, the use of mercury thermometers, chemotherapies curing various tumors, and rapid availability of complex test results.
- Why was the study conducted? The researchers aimed to create an engaging article for both medical professionals and general readers, pointing out inaccuracies that only healthcare experts can identify.
