TPT 2.07 Association Between Exposure to Surgical Television Dramas and Medical Students’ Perceptions of Surgery and Career Intent: A UK and Republic of Ireland Cross-Sectional Survey

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2026
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Abstract
Abstract Aims Surgical medical dramas remain a prominent cultural influence, with an estimated 80–100 series aired worldwide (with an estimated international viewership of 7.65million with the top 6 dramas alone in 2025). Although television is known to shape public perceptions of healthcare, its specific contribution to medical students’ views of surgery and career intent has not been systematically evaluated. Methods We distributed a validated mixed-methods survey (Likert, multiple-choice, and free-text items) via the University of Cambridge Qualtrics platform to 150 surgical societies across UK and Republic of Ireland medical schools (04/08/25–30/09/25). Quantitative analyses were performed in RStudio, alongside thematic analysis of free-text responses. Results In total, 1500 (1,234 complete responses) medical students responded across all training years (61% female, 35% male, 4% other), of whom 84.2% reported watching surgical dramas. Respondents most frequently described on-screen surgeons as confident, technically skilled, empathetic, and charismatic. Notably, 42.8% reported that these portrayals increased their desire to pursue surgery. Conversely, depictions of poor work–life balance, hierarchical workplace culture, and concerns regarding long-term sustainability were commonly cited deterrents. Lack of diversity was repeatedly identified as a major limitation of current portrayals. Conclusion In this large, multicenter survey, surgical television dramas were associated with medical students’ perceptions of surgeons and self-reported career intent. Media portrayals appear to function as both attractors and deterrents, shaping specialty decision-making beyond formal curricula. More diverse, authentic representations of surgical practice may help ensure career choices are informed by clinical reality rather than dramatization.
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Authors Natividad Fernández, Isabel Faramarzi, Harriet Louden, Lily Mills, Holly Graham, Michael Okocha
Journal the british journal of surgery
Year 2026
DOI
10.1093/bjs/znag087.176
URL
https://doi.org/10.1093/bjs/znag087.176
Keywords Keywords not found

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