Medical shows have been popular for a long time. But as television has evolved, so has the genre and what makes an excellent medical TV show. Shows like Grey's Anatomy and House have changed what makes a show popular. While medical shows of the past focused on sicknesses and surgeries, modern-day shows concentrate on the dramatized relationships between doctors, nurses, and other hospital staff.

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Even though the hospital and practicing medicine are the base of the shows, the drama between characters keeps fans coming back for many years. Fans of medical shows know that anything can happen in a season and are often moved to tears by the series' stories.

10 Grey's Anatomy (2005–Present) – 7.6

Streaming On Hulu

Grey's Anatomy may be one of the saddest shows on television. Fans of the show know not to get too attached to any one character, as they may be killed or written off the show. After 19 seasons, Grey's is still one of the most popular dramas on ABC and gets millions of viewers every week.

Fans of Grey's Anatomy have seen many characters go from interns to heads of various departments in the hospital. Many of the medical cases on the show are seen in real hospitals, but what keeps fans watching is the romances between doctors that stir up lots of drama.

9 The Resident (2018–2023) – 7.8

Streaming On Hulu

The Resident gave a new perspective to medical dramas as it praised and critiqued modern medicine practices. The show had fans torn over whether they should cheer for the doctors and nurses trying their best to save lives or detest the hospital administrators' choices who hindered their staff. The main character

Conrad Hawkins fights against hospital protocols that stop people from getting care because they don't have the money or insurance to get what they need. The show is a clear commentary on the American medical system and appeals to viewers frustrated with the real-life issues that inspire The Resident.

8 9-1-1 (2018–Present) – 7.8

Streaming on Hulu

9-1-1 crosses genre lines as a medical drama and a firefighter drama. As one of the best firefighter and medical shows, 9-1-1 shows how first responders assist in many situations, not just fires. 9-1-1 focuses on the EMTs and paramedics who work within the fire department and help those who need medical attention outside what the firefighters are qualified for.

Many of the situations the crew of 9-1-1 are involved in are dire, but other calls are made to make audiences chuckle. This reflects the more unusual emergencies fire houses get called to every day. The balance between ridiculous and life-threatening keeps 9-1-1 interesting.

7 ER (1994–2009) – 7.9

Streaming on MAX

ER took the medical drama from encompassing a whole hospital to focusing on one department. As part of Chicago County General, the emergency room that ER took place in shows uplifting stories when the doctors were able to give patients a diagnosis and solution, to heart-wrenching moments when nothing could be done for a patient, and they died.

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For many TV lovers, ER was the first medical show they became invested in. The show grew with its viewers and stayed relevant, with storylines connected to evolving demographics. ER is still relevant today as drama and medical cases transcend time.

6 New Amsterdam (2018–2023) – 8

Streaming On Peacock

New Amsterdam recently aired the last episode of the series, much to fans' dismay. As one of NBC's most popular medical dramas, New Amsterdam took place at America's oldest public hospital, undergoing significant changes. Fans fell in love with Dr. Mas Goodwin as he went around the administrative red tape put in place by hospital officials so that he could provide better patient care.

As a renegade doctor, Max Goodwin charmed fans and staff. The romances in the show were not as drawn out as other medical dramas, which helped fans get invested in the storylines outside the hospital. New Amsterdam didn't rotate the main characters by killing them off either, which was a change for fans of other medical shows that constantly broke their hearts.

5 The Good Doctor (2017–Present) – 8

Streaming on Hulu

The Good Doctor follows Shaun Murphy, who was recruited to work in a surgical unit as his Savant Syndrome and Autism makes him an asset to the medical staff. Shaun's Autism makes it hard for him to empathize with people, so he struggles with relating to others, which lands him in complicated situations.

Even though Shaun Murphy struggles in his personal relationships, Shaun exceeds expectations with medical diagnoses. While The Good Doctor doesn't have a lot of romance, it shows a new side of the medical world that highlights extraordinary people who can be underestimated, even when they save lives daily.

4 China Beach (1988–1991) – 8.2

China Beach occurs in a Vietnam field hospital where people die more often than they survive. This causes the medical staff to become burnt out quickly from the constant losses. While some aspects of the show were of the time and are now seen as cheesy but much of the show still holds up against other medical shows.

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Since it was set in a warzone, China Beach was filled with drama and had a constant feeling of impending doom. However, China Beach balanced the medical aspects of the show with interpersonal drama. As the lead in the show, Colleen McMurphy showed the weariness of being in a warzone but the resilience she had to keep her team going.

3 Scrubs (2001–2010) – 8.4

Streaming On Hulu

Scrubs was a hilarious sitcom that set itself apart from other medical comedies by adding dark plot twists to the typically humorous show. Scrubs differed from other medical shows as the interns and doctors on the show were not as concerned with their patients as they were with their romantic relationships.

Instead of piecing moments together for themselves, JD's inner thoughts narrate the show, which few other series have done successfully. Each character in Scrubs has a trait that makes them lovable and annoying, creating the perfect balance of personalities that viewers want to see get into trouble week after week.

2 M*A*S*H (1972–1983) – 8.4

M*A*S*H follows a group of Army medics in the Korean War that is filled with dark humor as the doctors try to cope with being in an active war. For 11 years, M*A*S*H showed how few resources Army medical centers had while in the field and how they had to make do.

Outside the medical scenes, which are usually quick and not very dramatic, there are practical jokes played between the doctors and nurses and romances that become complicated the longer they are in Korea. The show received praise for accurately depicting how soldiers of the time tried to keep their spirits up and do their job the best they could.

1 House (2004–2012) – 8.7

Streaming on Prime Video

Dr. House is one of the most sarcastic doctors on TV but also one of the most effective. As a medical genius, House was straightforward and didn't cater to people he felt were wasting his time. This made House such a great show, as viewers laughed at Dr. House's lack of bedside manner but were enthralled by his ability to pick out a diagnosis without as many tests as other doctors.

House also presented a unique perspective, as House himself was chronically ill but insisted on continuing to work. The show was a hit for Fox and showed that not all medical shows had to have an overwhelming amount of heart-warming episodes.

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