The World

Television drama has created the impression of an ideal world where decisions in hospitals are made quickly and cost is never an issue. It directly affects our expectations for treatment, according to Billy Goldberg, an emergency-room physician, and Joseph Turow, the author of Playing Doctor: Television, Storytelling and Medical Power. Produced by Eric Molinsky.

Sign up for our daily newsletter

Sign up for The Top of the World, delivered to your inbox every weekday morning.