THE INFLUENCE OF TELEVISION VIEWING ON PUBLIC PERCEPTIONS OF PHYSICIANS

This investigation examines the way prime-time network television programming depicts physicians and the medical profession, and the influence of these images on public perceptions. The results indicate that network prime-time television programming portrays doctors, and people who watch more prime-time network programs featuring physicians perceive them, as more likely to be female and young, and as more imbued with interpersonal communication style, physical attractiveness, and power, but less imbued with the trait of character. The prospect that television depictions of physicians may undermine public confidence is explored.