Reader's Digest compiled a list of 12 common errors about the medical industry in movies and TV shows.
Here are five particularly striking examples:
1. Anesthesiologists are physicians too. Hollywood often portrays anesthesiologists as "lesser" physicians. Leif Dahleen, MD, of Brainerd, Minn.-based Essentia Health, pointed out an episode of Grey's Anatomy, where an anesthesiologist left the hospital when a patient with explosives embedded in her body was admitted.
2. Misrepresented numbers. Dr. Dahleen also referenced an episode of Homeland, where a patient's blood pressure was 95/100, which is impossible.
3. There are no jack of all trades. Robert Glatter, MD, of New York City-based Lenox Hill Hospital, debunked the myth of the "all-knowing" physician. Hollywood believes one man can do it all, when in reality that's not the case.
4. Pregnancy is instantaneous. Janelle Cooper, MD, of Baltimore-based Mercy Medical Center, debunked a pair of myths associated with pregnancy. Where Hollywood depicts birth happening in a matter of minutes through a few simple pushes, the actual process is much more intensive.
5. Supplies are sterile for a reason. Hollywood loves to have surgeons touch supplies without gloves. The contamination risk means this would never happen.
For the whole list, click here.
