Every country’s medical system works slightly differently. While here in the United States we can face frustrations related to insurance, high costs and other issues, that doesn’t mean other medical systems have no issues. For today’s installment of Medical Media, librarian Deborah Wassertzug recommends a television series that takes a look at the system across the pond: the National Health Service of the United Kingdom.
This is Going to Hurt is a limited series television show from the UK, based on a memoir of the same name. Both the memoir, written by former doctor Adam Kay, and the television show, focus on the issues, struggles and experiences of junior doctors working in a National Health Service hospital, specifically their work on the obstetrics and gynecology ward.
For those used to medical television that takes place in the United States, there is a lot of new terminology to get used to. For example, instead of residency, the UK has Doctor Specialty training (1). Despite these changes in terminology, the issues facing doctors will likely be familiar to those aware of the challenges medical professionals face in the United States: burnout, stress, overwork, and funding shortfalls. The show also tackles serious issues related to mental health issues and work-life balance among doctors, a trend also seen in the United States (3). One episode juxtaposes a private maternity hospital with an NHS hospital and raises the question of whether there are safety issues associated with “going private.”
The show isn’t entirely serious: there are lighthearted moments and its genre is likely best described as a black comedy. According to Wassertzug , the show juxtaposes hilarious scenes with serious things people go through in medical settings, to great effect. Due to the involvement of Kay, the show is generally accurate when it comes to the dirtier aspects of medicine, so things do get a little messy.
For those interested, the book and series can be found on Hoopla from public libraries, on consortium loan here at Himmelfarb, and the television series can be found on multiple streaming platforms online.
1.
How Doctor Specialty Training (Residency) Works in the UK. BMJ Careers. Accessed August 21, 2024. https://www.bmj.com/careers/article/how-doctor-specialty-training-residency-works-in-the-uk
2.
Johnson A. CDC Tries Fixing Emerging Crisis: Mental Health Problems Among Doctors, Nurses. Forbes. Accessed August 21, 2024. https://www.forbes.com/sites/ariannajohnson/2023/11/01/cdc-tries-fixing-emerging-crisis-mental-health-problems-among-doctors-nurses/
3.
Doctors’ titles explained - Toolkit for doctors new to the UK - BMA. The British Medical Association is the trade union and professional body for doctors in the UK. June 28, 2024. Accessed August 21, 2024. https://www.bma.org.uk/advice-and-support/international-doctors/life-and-work-in-the-uk/toolkit-for-doctors-new-to-the-uk/doctors-titles-explained
