Inaccuracies in the Third Season of the Medical Drama, House, MD

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study is to assess the accuracy of the presentation, diagnostic procedures, and treatment of the main disease in each of the first twelve episodes of the third season of the medical drama House, MD. METHODS: The study is a descriptive retrospective evaluation of the first twelve episodes of season three of the medical drama House, MD. The accuracy of the clinical presentation, diagnostic procedures, and treatment in each episode was rated on a scale of one to four. A rating of one described a correct and usual representation. A rating of two described a correct but somewhat unusual representation. A rating of three described a correct but extremely unusual representation. A rating of four described an incorrect representation. Each of three researchers independently rated the episodes, and then the researchers agreed upon a collaborative rating for each category. RESULTS: Results of the ANOVA test did not show statistical significance between the three dependent variables (p = 0.25). Additionally, a Tukey HSD post-hoc test did not reveal a statistical significant difference between the ratings for the presentation, diagnosis, and treatment. CONCLUSION: In the first twelve episodes of season three of House, MD, there was no difference between the accuracy of the treatment and diagnosis when compared to the signs and symptoms of each episode.