Medical fiction encompasses any narrative where events are centered around a hospital, ambulance staff, or any medical environment. This genre is highly prevalent across various media, particularly in television as medical dramas and in novels. The portrayal of medical institutions and their staff within fiction is considered crucial for two main reasons: its influence on how the public perceives their real-world counterparts, and its potential role
in medical education. Audiences often relate to the situations depicted in medical fiction through their own experiences with diseases, healthcare systems, and professionals, contributing significantly to the genre's success. This inherent familiarity demands a degree of realism to prevent misinterpretations or false ideas about medical institutional or professional practices.
Historical Roots and Early Depictions
The history of medical fiction can arguably be traced back to ancient Greek civilization, with figures like Asclepius, the god of medicine, whose temple priests were believed to heal individuals. In dramaturgy, one of the most well-known early examples is Molière's "The Imaginary Invalid," a satire-comedy that lampoons the medical profession and 17th-century Parisian society through its hypochondriac main character. This play offers incisive social commentary, highlighting early critical perspectives on medicine.
Mary Shelley's "Frankenstein" stands as a foundational text, not only in science fiction but also in medical fiction. It explores profound ethical themes, such as the doctor's role as a preserver of life, the morality of creating life unnaturally, and the extreme consequences of "playing God." By the late 19th century, a societal shift in England saw doctors gaining higher status, a change reflected in an 1889 entry in the British Medical Journal that noted the historical practice of satirizing medical practitioners by authors like Laurence Sterne and Henry Fielding. The early 20th century witnessed the rise of the "doctor novel," a literary subgenre that became synonymous with medical fiction, further cementing medicine's place in popular storytelling.
Criticism and Ethical Exploration
Despite its popularity, medical fiction, particularly medical dramas, has faced criticism from medical professionals regarding inaccuracies. Concerns have been raised about the unrealistic expectations these depictions might create for viewers concerning rapid response times and unconventional treatments in emergency rooms. Shows like "House," with their portrayals of unprofessional behavior and incorrect medical procedures, have been cited for potentially negatively influencing medical students. However, critics and instructors also suggest these fictional scenarios can be valuable in academic settings to foster discussions on ethics, malpractice, and proper doctor-patient relationships.
Similar criticisms of artistic liberties and inaccuracies have been leveled against medical novels. Nevertheless, it is acknowledged that such literature can significantly increase public interest in the medical field and its history. Beyond this, fiction serves as a useful tool for bioethicists to understand atypical and criminal behavior, such as the numerous murders committed by serial killer Harold Shipman. This capacity to explore complex ethical dilemmas and human behavior, often not openly discussed in scientific communities, underscores the genre's unique contribution to societal discourse.
The Medical Thriller as a Specialized Form
Within the broader scope of medical fiction, the medical thriller emerges as a specialized subgenre that combines the inherent drama of medical settings with the heightened suspense of a thriller. Films like "Coma," directed by Michael Crichton, are considered pioneers of this subgenre. These thrillers often delve into themes of medical malpractice for personal gain and the perversion of conventional healing roles. For example, the series "Ratched" explores the dark past and unscrupulous behavior of Nurse Ratched, using murder and deceit to manipulate others, thereby humanizing a typically villainous character while examining the ethical boundaries of medical practice. This blend of suspense, ethical inquiry, and medical detail defines the medical thriller's distinct appeal.
