Rm. Chory-assad et R. Tamborini, Television doctors: An analysis of physicians in fictional and non-fictional television programs, J BROADC EL, 45(3), 2001, pp. 499-521
Although fictional television traditionally has portrayed doctors positivel
y, recent fictional programming appears to portray physicians in a less pos
itive manner. It has also been suggested that these images may conflict wit
h depictions of doctors found on non-fictional television. A content analys
is conducted here indicates that television's physician portrayals are less
positive than they were in 1992, contemporary genres differ in their physi
cian depictions, and television's doctor portrayals do not differ according
to sex or race.