Medical drama TV series: A semi-systematic literature review

The primary goal of this study is to grasp the evolution of research surrounding medical drama TV series, delineate prevalent research domains along with their evolving approaches, and unearth potential gaps and emerging trends within the field. The research methodology employs a semi-systematic literature review to comprehensively explore the evolving landscape of medical drama TV series research. It follows structured, comprehensive, and transparent principles, including the definition of research questions, the explicit description of research methodology, and a multi-step screening process to classify the literature. Five research areas were defined for literature classification: Narrative Analysis, Pedagogy and Bioethics, Linguistics and Communication, Gender Studies, and Reception Studies. Analyzing 269 papers from 1964 to 2023, the review reveals medical dramas’ significant impact on audiences’ understanding of healthcare and their pedagogical value in teaching medical and ethical concepts to students across disciplines.