As health professionals, it is known that reading is essential to improve knowledge. But it’s also just as important to give those neurons a rest every now and then.
Of course, there are times when you sure wish your entertainment had nothing to do with medicine. But for those moments when you don’t mind mixing your work with the seventh art, we bring you these recommendations.
Here’s our list of the 5 best movies for doctors and healthcare professionals to entertain themselves:
Awakenings (1990)
Based on the real life experience of Dr. Oliver Sacks, as recounted in his memoir of the same title, this film tells the story of patients affected by the lethargic encephalitis epidemic of the early 20th century. Trapped in a catatonic state for decades, patients wake up when the fictional Dr. Malcolm Sayer, played by Robin Williams, uses the then-novel drug L-DOPA with truly remarkable results. The power of science, perseverance, and the human spirit are evident in this poignant interpretation of real events.
Concussion (2015)
Will Smith plays Dr. Bennet Omalu, the Nigerian-born forensic physician and pathologist who discovered the presence of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) in a deceased football player while working in the Alleghany County Coroner’s Office, Pennsylvania. Based on true events, the film portrays the initial attempts by the National Football League to dismiss the findings and the eventual acceptance of the investigation in the mainstream. Another great reminder of the importance that science, curiosity, and ethics play in medicine.
Patch Adams (1998)
Robin Williams makes a second appearance on this list in a film based on the real-life story of Dr. Hunter “Patch” Adams, who, after overcoming depression, dedicates his career to promoting humor and compassion in medicine. . While neither the critics nor the current Patch Adams were particularly in love with the film, it does serve as a great reminder that a little bedside treatment can go a long way.
One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (1975)
Based on the classic novel by Ken Kesey, this unforgettable film captures the inner workings of a 1960s Oregon psychiatric hospital. Among many other things, it serves as a reminder of the progress that has been made in the area of mental health. It also serves as a great showcase for the acting brilliance of a younger Jack Nicholson. Finally, watching this movie will allow you to understand the references of Nurse ratched that will undoubtedly emerge in your life as a doctor.
Something the Lord Did (2004)
Based on true events, this made-for-television drama tells the story of pioneering heart surgeon Alfred Blalock (think Tetralogy of Fallot) and his unlikely assistant Vivien Thomas, an African-American with no formal training but with a keen intellect and the knack for phosphorous. . Along the way, some of the unfortunate racial realities of mid-20th century America are exposed, making this tale of medical ingenuity bittersweet.
Contagion (2011)
This one might hit a little too close to home. In the fictional movie, a new virus originating in bats creates a global pandemic. The politics of the response, the race for a vaccine, and the deliberate spread of conspiracy theories complete the plot, which is eerily similar to simply watching the news about the non-fictional pandemic that we know all too well.
The Doctor (1991)
Loosely based on the 1988 biography of Dr. Edward Rosenbaum, this film tells the story of Dr. Jack McKee, a very successful and self-absorbed surgeon whose life is altered by his own cancer diagnosis. After experiencing the healthcare system from a patient’s perspective, Dr. McKee is forced to rethink his own interactions with those around him.
Philadelphia (1993)
Tracing the early days of the HIV epidemic, this film’s stellar cast, which includes Tom Hanks and Denzel Washington, portrays the story of a lawyer who is fired from his law firm after being suspected of having AIDS. Thanks to his masterful performance, Hanks took home the Academy Award for Best Actor (and Bruce Springsteen’s Streets of Philadelphia won the award for Best Original Song). Be careful that you may shed a tear or two.
And you, do you know health professionals who have seen them all?
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