Perceptions of medical dramas among Palestinian medical students: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

<title>Abstract</title> Background: This study aimed to investigate how Palestinian medical students, a group largely underrepresented in the existing literature, perceive medical dramas. It explores their viewing habits, their perceptions of realism and ethical portrayals in these shows, and the potential for using this popular media as an educational tool. Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted among a convenience sample of 368 medical students from five universities in the West Bank, Palestine. Data were collected using a modified version of a previously validated questionnaire. Descriptive statistics and significance testing were used for the statistical analysis. Results: A total of 638 medical students participated in the study, with a mean age of 21.1 ± 1.65 years; the majority were female (66.8%). Most students (73.4%) reported having watched a medical drama, although the majority did so less than once per week (62.0%) and typically alone (84.2%). Regarding realism, 77.3% perceived the clinical scenes as only slightly or moderately realistic, while 41.9% considered the ethical content moderately accurate. Nearly half of the participants indicated that watching these shows increased their empathy toward patients (46.5%) and motivated them to continue their studies (47.2%). A significant association was observed between watching medical dramas and considering family, friends, and magazines/online news as important sources of ethical guidance. Conclusion: Palestinian medical students frequently watch medical dramas, and although they criticize the series' realism, they admit that it has improved their sensitivity and drive. These shows might be used as a useful "entertainment-education" tool to challenge misunderstandings and promote dialogue in official bioethics curriculum, according to the research.