An Empirical Study of Student Engagement with Professional and Ethical Issues in Medical Television Dramas

Abstract

This project engages with motivating factors that inspire students to enrol in medicine and allied health degrees, with a particular interest in exploring the impact of popular culture on the perception of medical studies and careers, and whether this may motivate and prepare future doctors and allied health professionals. If accepting that a parent can serve as a role model for a future doctor, it seems reasonable to hypothesise that a fictional character may function as a substitute role model for students who may not have doctors or health professionals in their families. Furthermore, this project gauges students’ exposure to popular medical television and their perception of its pedagogical value in medical education.