Being a doctor in real life is no easy task, but playing a great doctor on TV requires its own set of skills. Some TV doctors help their patients with extreme medical knowledge and split-second decisions, while others make us laugh with their witty sense of humor. Since it’s Friday, we decided to take a walk on the lighter side and rank the top five TV doctors of all-time. Enjoy!
#5 Dr. Perry Cox, Scrubs
Dr. Cox is narcissistic and egotistical, which doesn’t bode well for a list of the best TV doctors of all time, but underneath his harsh exterior is a doctor who truly cares about his patients and staff. He often gives J.D., the shows main character, a hard time, but he also takes a special interest in him because the young doctor actually cares about saving the lives of his patients. Dr. Cox is extremely knowledgeable, and he passes that knowledge down to his residents, often in unconventional ways.
#4 Dr. Doogie Howser, Doogie Howser, M.D.
Dr. Doogie Howser is by far the youngest member on the list, as he was only 14 years old when he was licensed to practice medicine. Howser was a genius with an eidetic memory that helped him save the lives of countless patients. While he sought acceptance from his peers and co-workers, the show focused on larger issues like AIDS awareness, access to quality medical care, and the challenges of being a teenager. His ability to make us laugh, cry and feel for the patients is what lands him on the list.
#3 Dr. Michaela Quinn, Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman
Dr. Quinn is perhaps the most resourceful doctor on this list because of the lack of medical technology that was available to her. From addressing rattlesnake bites to removing bullets from a deputy’s body, Dr. Quinn saved many lives on the frontier. Carrying her trusty medical bag with her at all times, Dr. Quinn set out to prove that women could succeed in the medical field. And succeed, she did.
#2 Dr. Doug Ross, ER
Dr. Ross stole the hearts of viewers as an emergency room pediatrician at General County Hospital in Chicago. Dr. Ross always put the welfare of his patients first, even if it conflicted with the beliefs of a child’s parents or the hospital’s medical board. On more than one occasion he risked his life to save someone in trouble, but his refusal to back down in the face of authority often landed him in hot water with his superiors. He resonated with viewers because he truly card about his patients without worrying about the proverbial red tape, but it eventually led to his downfall as a practitioner. His professional characteristics, combined with his good looks, are reasons why Dr. Ross lands at the #2 spot on the list.
#1, Dr. Gregory House, House
Dr. House takes the top spot on the list for many reasons. House views his patients differently than any other doctor on the list. Instead of seeing the person, house views the ailment as a puzzle that must be fixed, regardless of the method. Dr. House is unconventional to say the least, and he doesn’t take orders from anyone. He doesn’t like to play by the rules, which has inspired some funny references in the TV world.
Although he rarely connects with his patients on an emotional level, Dr. House works tirelessly to help each and every one. Often tasked with rare or never-before-seen symptoms, Dr. House does everything in his power to save the victim. His quick wit and dry sense of humor also resonates with the audience, leaving little doubt that he is deserving of the top spot on our list.
Did we leave your favorite doctor off the list? Let us know who you think belongs in the top five in the comments section.