SkimIt
Network: ABC
Genre: Reality TV
TV Rating: TV-14
Other Choices: Boston Med, 24 Hours in the ER, House
Available On: Online
Common Sense Says: Reality medical series has blood, vocab, and strong themes.
Common Sense Rates It:
Parents need to know
Parents need to know that NY Med, which features the stories of doctors and patients during the day-to-day events at hospitals around New York City, contains frank discussions about sexual activity and related illnesses/injuries, images of bloody surgeries (but bloody wounds are blurred), and some salty language ("goddamn," "t-ts,"). Some of the medical stories end positively, while others don't always lead to good news, which may disturbing to sensitive viewers.
- Families can talk about what it's like to go to a hospital and receive medical treatment. Have you ever had to go to the emergency room and/or had surgery? What were the things that scared you the most? What were the positive parts of the experience?
- Why do you think the patients and medical staff agree to appear on a reality show, even if some of the events are sad or disturbing? What are doctors trying to achieve by doing so? What about the patients?
- How does this reality show compare to others? Does this show seem more "real" than others you've watched? What makes you think that?
What's the story?
NY MED is a reality series that follows medical teams at various hospitals around New York City. Cameras follow doctors like celebrity cardiothoracic surgeon Mehmet Oz, surgical resident Arundi Mahendran, and emergency room nurse Marina Devidanovic and some of their patients during medical consultations, emergency visits, and surgical procedures. From an alleged criminal faking symptoms to avoid arrest to people undergoing brain surgery, viewers get to see some of the day-to-day challenges that doctors and patients deal with when faced with a medical situation or emergency. Throughout it all, some of the doctors and patients share details about their personal lives. At the end of each episode, some of the patients' stories end well, while others lead to tough decisions and difficult realities.
Is it any good?
The series offers a voyeuristic but humanizing look into the day-to-day lives of medical professionals as they do their jobs helping the injured and sick from all walks of life that come to them for help. On occasion, it also highlights some of the risks medical professionals take when treating them. Follow-up information about some of the patients that were treated, particularly those who faced life-changing surgical procedures, is also shared with viewers.Folks who are sensitive or squeamish about blood or hospitals may not be able to stomach much of what is being presented here. Others may find some of the stories, especially those pertaining to terminally-ill patients, difficult to handle. But folks who like this sort of thing will find the show both interesting and inspiring.
The Good Stuff
Messages: Viewers see moments of intense emotion and are confronted with life and death moments. Some gallows humor, some touching scenes, and a good amount of humor amid the drama.
Role Models: The medical staff tries to help patients the best way they can. Occasionally health care workers crack jokes about some of their patients' quirky predicaments. Doctors sometimes make arrogant comments, albeit jokingly. Patients handle their situations in a variety of ways.
What to watch out for
Violence Life and death moments occur throughout, though no dead bodies visible. Needles and other instruments are visible; incisions, blood, and organs are visible during surgical procedures, but severe bloody stab wounds are blurred. People who are arrested and/or prisoners are taken to the hospital for medical treatment and are sometimes argumentative. Medical staff is sometimes dangerously exposed to contaminated fluids. Occasional mild disagreements occur between sleepy residents.
Sex: Occasionally people are treated for problems related to the use/misuse of erectile dysfunction medication. Discussions with medical professionals include when to have sex after surgery, exchange of fluids during sexual activity, strippers, HIV and Hepatitis C, etc. Patients often flirt with nurses.
Language: Words like "bitch," "t-ts," and "goddamn" are audible.
Consumerism: Drinks like Coca Cola and Moet champagne are prominently shown in one doctor's office. Other product logos are visible, not but prominent.
Drinking, drugs & smoking: Reactions to prescription drugs like Cialis and the use of illegal substances is discussed. Smoking is also discussed.
