Inaccuracies in the Second Half of the First Season of the Medical Series, House M.D.

Abstract

Specific Aims: To assess the accuracy of the presentation (signs and symptoms), the diagnostic procedures used to arrive at the final diagnosis, and the ultimate treatment performed in each of the last ten episodes of the first season of the television medical drama, House MD. Methods: A descriptive retrospective analysis of the accuracies and inaccuracies of episodes 13 to 22 in season one of the television series House, MD. The accuracy of each episode in regards to the presenting signs and symptoms, diagnostic procedures, and treatment was rated on a scale of one to four: 1) Correct and usual representation; 2) Correct but somewhat unusual representation; 3) Correct but extremely unusual representation; 4) Incorrect representation. Both researchers evaluated each episode on the above criteria independently, and a cooperative and final rating was chosen upon. Main Results: Results of the ANOVA test did not demonstrate a statistically significant difference between the three variables (p=0.581). A Tukey HSD post-hoc test was unable to confirm if there was a significant difference between the the three variables. The average rating for the presenting signs and symptoms was 2.50 (±0.707), and 2.30 (±1.160) and 2.10 (±0.568) for diagnostic procedures and treatment, respectively. Conclusion: There was no difference in accuracies between the presenting signs and symptoms, diagnostic procedures, or treatments in the last ten episodes of the first season of House,MD.