Healthcare Portrayal in Media

How much media do you consume on a regular basis? Now, how often does what you see in the media change your view on a subject? Between social media, music, movies, and television, the media is everywhere, and it's difficult to avoid. Because of how often we engage with it, the media plays a major role in shaping our perceptions of many topics, including healthcare.

When we think about healthcare in the media, a few things probably come to mind: intense emergency room scenes, doctors making life-or-death decisions in seconds, or viral videos offering quick health advice. Popular shows like Grey's Anatomy, House MD, and The Good Doctor are often dramatic and are designed to grab attention, with most of the situations being rare in real life. While they can be entertaining or even informative, they don’t always reflect what healthcare actually looks like in real life. 

Because of this, the media can quietly influence how people view healthcare professionals. Doctors are often portrayed as the central decision-makers who solve complex cases quickly, nurses are sometimes shown as assistants rather than highly skilled professionals, and pharmacists are frequently reduced to simply dispensing medication. While these portrayals aren’t always intentional, they can create a narrow or incomplete understanding of each role.

Some of my favorite videos to watch are healthcare professionals reacting to the portrayal of their profession. Seeing them correct common misconceptions while also enjoying the media for what it is can be both entertaining and informative. Creators like Dr. Mike on YouTube help spread information about what these jobs are actually like and pique some interest in the field.

But what about for pharmacists? Last week, I remember talking about talking with people who don’t know what a pharmacist does, and how this is a common thing. One idea I thought of that could really help with this problem is to make a show about pharmacists. I feel like having the pharmacist version of Grey’s Anatomy would be pretty interesting and help people perceive the profession in a better light. Right now, I would say the public’s view of this profession is not very positive, as this field gets the reputation for being associated with drug dealers. There was a Super Bowl commercial featuring the actor who plays Walter White as a “sort of” pharmacist that I’ve linked below. Along with that, I’ve included a clip from the popular show South Park where the pharmacist is depicted as highly irresponsible and acts as a drug dealer, asking the boys what kind of high they want instead of recommending something based on intended use. 

In the end, I think the way healthcare is portrayed in the media really does matter because it shapes how people see the professionals behind these roles in real life. While doctors and nurses are often shown as heroes at the center of dramatic stories, pharmacists are much more likely to be misunderstood, ignored, or portrayed in a negative way. Seeing that over and over can influence how much people respect the profession and how well they understand what pharmacists actually do. Media does not need to be completely realistic to be enjoyable, but I do think it should be more aware of the impressions it leaves behind. If pharmacists were represented with more depth and accuracy, it could help break some of the stereotypes around the profession and give people a better understanding of how important their role really is.