Investigating Medical Drama TV Series: Approaches and Perspectives. 14th Media Mutations International Conference

Since its inception in the 1960s, medical drama has emerged as a prominent genre within the television landscape. Its nomenclature derives from its dual focus: the hospital setting as the backdrop for events and the narrative exploration of medical cases, professional dynamics, and interpersonal relationships. This genre's widespread prevalence and success, primarily within the realm of television, have garnered the attention of media studies scholars, critics, medical device providers, and the broader healthcare community. In light of the recent Covid-19 pandemic, there is an increased imperative to examine the influence of this global health crisis on the portrayal of medical professionals in television series. While some of the most renowned medical TV series, notably E.R., have ceased airing, over-the-top (OTT) platforms like Netflix and Amazon Prime Video enable continued viewership. Additionally, there has been a notable surge in global medical drama productions in recent years. Research efforts have predominantly delved into the narrative structures of medical dramas and the role of the audience in their reception. These narratives are also appreciated for their pedagogical value, serving as potent educational tools. The popularization and societal impact of medical dramas have been studied, particularly in their influence on medical students and the public's perception of healthcare. Medical dramas often address significant social issues and have, as a result, been examined from a bioethical standpoint. They additionally play a pivotal role in the representation of marginalized groups, making them a focal point in gender studies as they explore the evolving depictions of diversity. Linguistically, the specialized language employed in these productions has generated substantial research in areas such as dubbing, medical terminology, and textual analysis. This multifaceted genre continues to be a rich and fertile field of academic inquiry. Drawing on these multi-disciplinary perspectives, the conference aims to promote discussion and share research results on medical drama TV series focusing on the different methods and approaches employed for their analysis.