Movies and Diseases
A chemistry teacher is diagnosed with terminal lung cancer and turns to manufacturing methamphetamine.
Breaking Bad
A patient presents with a fever, cough, fatigue, and body aches between the months of September and May. What is a likely diagnosis?
The flu (Influenza)
You searched “why am I tired?” after 1 hour of sleep because you stayed up late doomscrolling Instagram reel rabbitholes.
You have a rare endocrine disorder
This professional is often the first person you see in a hospital, monitors patients closely, administers medications, and communicates changes to the care team.
Registered Nurse (RN)
This long-running drama follows surgical residents at Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital and is famous for emotional monologues and dramatic romances.
Grey’s Anatomy
A teen with thyroid cancer falls in love with another cancer patient after meeting in a support group.
The Fault in Our Stars
A college student feels extremely thirsty, urinates frequently, and has unexplained weight loss. What is the likely diagnosis?
Diabetes Type 1 (DM1)
You googled a mild headache even though the only liquids you've had are Red Bulls and Monsters for the past 3 days.
Brain tumor, aneurysm, or impending doom.
This healthcare professional focuses on helping patients regain movement and function after injury or surgery through guided exercises and rehabilitation.
Physical Therapist
A brilliant but abrasive diagnostician relies on Vicodin, walks with a cane due to a leg infarction, and solves rare medical mysteries while constantly reminding everyone that “everybody lies.”
House M.D.
A dystopian society series isolates teenagers infected with a deadly disease while scientists search for a cure.
The Maze Runner
A person experiences left-sided acute chest pain that spreads to the left arm and shoulder, shortness of breath, and nausea. What's the possible diagnosis?
Heart Attack (MI)
You search “random chest pain and excessive sweating."
Calmly suggests stretching and mindfulness.
This doctor specializes in anesthesia, pain control, and monitoring vital functions during surgery—yet is rarely shown accurately in movies.
Anesthesiologist
This show mixes comedy and serious moments, using voiceovers and daydream sequences to show the inner thoughts of young doctors.
Scrubs
A brilliant mathematician struggles with schizophrenia while developing groundbreaking theories at Princeton. (Game theory)
A Beautiful Mind
A patient has a butterfly-shaped rash across their cheeks, joint pain, fatigue, and photosensitivity.
Lupus (Systemic Lupus Erythematosus)
You type in “rash on arm," after you've bought a random sweater with a mystery material off tik tok shop.
You’re convinced you’ve contracted an exotic disease only found in the Amazon rainforest.
This emergency medical professional provides pre-hospital care, performs CPR, stabilizes patients, and transports them by ambulance before they ever reach the hospital.
Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)
This newer show presents a grittier, more grounded portrayal of emergency medicine, focusing on intense shifts and the realities of working in a Pittsburgh hospital.
The Pitt
A neurodegenerative disease slowly robs a linguistics professor of her ability to communicate and remember words.
Still Alice
A college student develops painful, swollen joints and a “bullseye” rash after a hiking trip.
Lyme disease (tick bite)
You search “why does my eye twitch," even though this is your 700th mg of caffeine for the day
A licensed provider who can diagnose illness, prescribe medications, and practice independently or collaboratively with physicians, depending on state law.
Nurse Practitioner (NP)
This dystopian series features a society where fertile women are forced into reproductive servitude under a totalitarian regime, and medical authority is tightly controlled by the state.
The handmaid's tale