Accuracy of Medical Information in the Seventh Season of the Medical Television show House, M.D

Abstract

Objectives: To evaluate the level of accuracy of medical information presented in the seventh season of the medical drama, House M.D. To assess the accuracy of the presentation, diagnostic procedures and treatment presented in season seven. Methods: A descriptive, retrospective assessment of the accuracy of all the episodes of the seventh season of House M.D. Three reviewers independently rated the accuracy (on a scale of one to four) for the presenting signs and symptoms, diagnostic procedures, and treatment in each episode. A rating of one meant a correct and usual representation while a rating of two indicated a correct but somewhat unusual representation. A three was given for a correct but extremely unusual representation and a rating of four indicated an incorrect representation. Each researcher independently rated the episodes, and an average for each rating was used for analysis. Results: Results of the ANOVA test demonstrated no statistically significance differences between the three dependent variables (p=0.0782), therefore the Tukey HSD post-hoc test was unnecessary. The average rating for the treatment variable was 2.17 (±1.19), whereas the average ratings for the signs and symptoms and diagnosis variables were 2.74 (±0.92), and 2.87 (±1.14), respectively. The ratings for the treatment variable were more accurate compared to the other two variables. Conclusions: All three dependent variables observed in season seven of House, MD were similar in regards to accuracy falling between a rating of 2.0-3.0 representing a correct but somewhat unusual to a correct and extremely unusual representation.