The 7 Best Medical TV Shows Of All Time, From ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ to ‘Scrubs’

More so than most TV subgenres, medical series have the unique ability to merge two or more conflicting genres into one ceaselessly fascinating combination.

On the one hand, these series thrive at depicting the lives and everyday struggles of their central characters, right down to their repeated battles against the rampant illnesses and serious medical afflictions of their patients. Not only that, these series can also touch upon more relatable topics and themes outside the realm of medicine, from the intricacies surrounding interoffice romances with a coworker to the utter heartbreak that comes with a close friend’s unexpected passing.

From long-running drama series like ER and Grey’s Anatomy to laugh-out-loud sitcoms like Scrubs and M*A*S*H, here are some of the greatest medical shows we’ve seen yet, ranked in order from worst to best.

7. Grey’s Anatomy

Following in the footsteps of its dramatic predecessor ER, Grey’s Anatomy quickly became as talked-about a cultural phenomenon as its earlier TV counterpart, right down to its lengthy list of characters and somewhat melodramatic main storylines. Like ER itself, many contemporary might argue that Grey’s has long since run its course, ushering in a series of increasingly middling quality over time. At its height, however, Grey’s redefined medical dramas for the modern generation, giving audiences a host of remarkably resourceful TV characters like Sandra Oh’s Cristina Yang, Patrick Dempsey’s Derek Shepherd, and – of course – Ellen Pompeo’s overarching protagonist, Meredith Grey.

6. House

On the surface, it’s hard to think of a doctor with a more atrocious bedside manner than Hugh Laurie’s notoriously ill-mannered Gregory House. Yet as Fox’s long-running series routinely makes clear, House’s cynical worldview often betrays his heartfelt dedication to treating the patients that fall under his care. Sure, he may insult, degrade, or openly mock them to their faces, but beneath that grizzled exterior lies a man who feels an intrinsic need to heal others – even if he’s unable to properly heal himself.

5. The Knick

Medical breakthroughs seldom happen overnight, requiring great care, due diligence, and avid dedication to see advancements made for the sake of the public good. Set in 1900 New York City, The Knick analyzes the grueling hardships that come with these advancements, specifically focusing on a group of surgeons as they explore state-of-the-art techniques considered unconventional for their day and age. Overcoming constant public pushback and unending professional scrutiny from older, established medical professionals, The Knick shows the true cost of innovation within the world of medicine, as well as the most disquieting aspects of early 20th century New York City (casual racism, drug addiction, shady financial practices, etc.).

4. Scrubs

Forever finding a way to balance out its irreverent comedy with its more sobering dramatic discussions, Scrubs is the pitch-perfect successor to groundbreaking sitcoms like M*A*S*H and, to a certain extent, St. Elsewhere before it. Like those two preceding series, Scrubs never shies away from portraying the unglamorous life of ordinary hospital staff workers, right down to the characters’ constant battles with stress, burnout, and palpating frustration over the hospital’s bureaucratic structure. At the end of the day, though, Scrubs shines brightest when showcasing the tremendous heart it takes to become a doctor, nurse, or accompanying medical staffer, with every successfully cured patient making all the pain, suffering, and mental and emotional anguish undeniably worthwhile.

3. St. Elsewhere

Years before ER and Grey’s Anatomy took mainstream television by storm, NBC set the boundaries for the prototypical medical drama with their 1980s Emmy-winning series, St. Elsewhere. In an age where hospitals more often served as the setting for daytime soap operas, St. Elsewhere redefined what medical dramas could and should look like in the contemporary entertainment industry. Balancing out an ensemble cast with discussions about personal and logistical challenges in the medical field, St. Elsewhere paved the way for practically every other series on this list, from the underlying premise of Scrubs to the basic narrative formula of ER.

2. M*A*S*H

St. Elsewhere may have popularized the conventional medical drama, but M*A*S*H was among the first series to truly perfect the art of emotional storytelling with consistently laugh-out-loud comedic subject matter. Set amidst the turbulent years of the Korean War, M*A*S*H excels at showcasing the stress, severe homesickness, and nonsensical nature of life in a military encampment. While it always succeeds in its comedic plot points, M*A*S*H remains most worthy of celebration for its unflinching look at the true cost of war, transforming otherwise genial soldiers, doctors, and noncombatants into weary individuals forever seeking a way to cope.

1. ER

Just as The Office revolutionized the mockumentary format and Star Trek forever changed science fiction, ER transformed the nature of medical dramas for an entirely new generation. Taking a page out of St. Elsewhere’s playbook, ER maintains an exceptional balance between its ensemble cast and its altogether altruistic main storylines, especially when looking at the delicate treatment of its main characters. Growing, changing, and adapting with the times, ER’s 15 years on television spelled out massive change for the larger TV industry, effectively bridging earlier medical dramas like St. Elsewhere and M*A*S*H with similarly-veined later series like Scrubs, House, and (most directly) Grey’s Anatomy.