Movies about Medicine

[lokiki]

Hah, it's fair to say that the "reality show" series lose their appeal if not by clerkship then certainly by residency.

 

That's what my friend who is a nurse said when I told her I was enjoying the VGH one.

[seeking1]

A great documentary on an English neurosurgeon in Ukraine is on Netflix Canada, its called The English Surgeon. I highly recommend it!

[CalgaryLeafs]

Hey so I'm trying to find some good medical movies to watch. I've seen Patch Adams and loved it, I want to know what are some others? I've heard about Awakenings too but haven't seen it yet.

 

If people could chime in with their favorite medical movies, it'd be much appreciated!

 

You need to see Awakenings, very very good. Williams and De Niro are great, and based on a true story

 

[CalgaryLeafs]

This one is really good. I'm surprised Steve Guttenberg didn't win an Oscar... I mean that whole gun scene had me riveted to the screen

 

[coomassie_blue]

Just watched "The Normal Heart" - it's about the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the 80's. Very powerful movie, great acting

[canucks_14]

Has anyone seen the preview for Dr Oz's new show, Surgeon Oz? It looked very interesting.

By the way what is consensous on Dr. Oz's reputation? I have heard mixed things about him.

[thsc]

Gifted hands is an excellent movie, especially if you are interested in neurosurgery...

Second this. 

[canucks_14]

Second this. 

I can't believe he came within 5 seconds of the time window for the surgery to be successful (or however many seconds it was). I thought that was crazy. Also the surgery was ridiculously long. Like 22 hours or something? I couldn't imagine being focused for that long.

[thsc]

I can't believe he came within 5 seconds of the time window for the surgery to be successful (or however many seconds it was). I thought that was crazy. Also the surgery was ridiculously long. Like 22 hours or something? I couldn't imagine being focused for that long.

Oh you mean the last big surgery? Lol ya...he was in the OR the entire time. Hopefully in the real life situation, he actually went out for pee breaks and to eat lol. 

[canucks_14]

Oh you mean the last big surgery? Lol ya...he was in the OR the entire time. Hopefully in the real life situation, he actually went out for pee breaks and to eat lol.

 

I highly doubt he had breaks....I mean time was a huge issue I doubt he is going outside the or to scarf down some food. Bathroom breaks are necessary but even that may not be the case. Doesn't the stress and adrenaline one would feel during such a high stakes procedure have an inhibitory effect on going to the bathroom or hunger anyways?

[A-Stark]

Not really. I haven't seen the movie, but staff surgeons aren't routinely stressed out while operating. Certainly when you're assisting it can be more problematic simply to stay awake! I've never seen a case lasting 22 hours, but TRAM flaps can take an entire day, and I've seen staff taking at least a bathroom/lunch break. 

 

On the anesthesia side of things, though, watching the monitor for response to your vaso/epi infusions and intermittent epi boluses and seeing an SBP of 60-70 prompts a bit more concern. 

[BizMarkie]

I watched Pathology and The Good Doctor the other night. Really disturbing, but good movies. None of the characters are very good medical role models though!

[della19]

"The Business of Being Born" and "The Waiting Room" are both great documentaries on the state of the healthcare system.  

[canucks_14]

I have to watch "fire in the blood" for my class. Anyone seen it or heard good things?

[della19]

Just watched "The Normal Heart" - it's about the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the 80's. Very powerful movie, great acting

If you're interested in the AID/HIV epidemic in the 80's, "How to Survive a Plague" is the best film out there. An amazing documentary that looks at the crisis without pulling any punches.  

[starryskies]

I watched a television drama called Dae Jang Geum. It's about the mostly fictionalized account of the first female doctor from the Joseon era in Korea. I found the descriptions of old Oriental medicine particularly fascinating as well as the emphasis upon diet and herbal medicine in terms of preventative medicine. Really interesting. Plus the court drama and intrigue makes for really entertaining viewing!

[A-Stark]

If you're interested in the AID/HIV epidemic in the 80's, "How to Survive a Plague" is the best film out there. An amazing documentary that looks at the crisis without pulling any punches.  

 

It's good, but as far as docu-dramas go, "And the Band Played On" is by far the best. It's from about 1993 and was an HBO TV movie - mainly focuses on CDC people tracking the early years of HIV when no one knew it was HIV and was just "GRID" (Gay-related immune deficiency). Another group of characters include activists in San Francisco. 

[canucks_14]

Has anyone seen the PBS Nova show called pioneers of heart surgery? I stumbled upon the website during my transplant paper, but now I really want to watch it once exams are done!

 

Only problem is I'm not sure where to find it ?

[Edict]

Not necessarily a movie but anyone seen Hopkins, Boston Med or NY Med 1 or 2?

[A-Stark]

Yeah. I know I've seen one or two episodes of Boston Med. It would be interesting for lay people, maybe, along with premeds and perhaps early-on med students. For anyone further along than that it's going to be like watching a documentary of your day at work, except eliminating all the random boring stuff you do in between. 

[bruhh]

I'm watching The English Surgeon right now. Definitely recommend it!

[Falling]

If you have the time for a TV series, consider watching The Knick. It's about Surgeons in an early 1900s hospital in NY. It is amazing.

[Birdy]

If you have the time for a TV series, consider watching The Knick. It's about Surgeons in an early 1900s hospital in NY. It is amazing.

Oh yes, I'm totally in love with this show. It is just amazing!

[canucks_14]

Oh yes, I'm totally in love with this show. It is just amazing!

I watched the first few episodes of this show at my cousin's house. I got really into it!

 

Unfortunately I don't have HBO and don't like watching shows on my laptop, so I can't continue watching it right now.

[The Mist]

I would highly recommend Doctor in the House.  Its a British comedy from the 1950s about medical education. Its a very different world in some ways (everyone wears suits etc) but in other ways things have stayed entirely the same (e.g. the excessive drinking and general rambunctiousness of the preclinical years).  I understand it spawned something of a series of films, and cant speak to their quality, but the original is definitely worth watching, especially if you enjoy classic films!