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200869 https://hdl.handle.net/2286/R.2.N.200869 http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/ http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0 2025-05 28 pages Sokol, Amanda O'Flaherty, Katherine Hinde, Katie Barrett, The Honors College School of Human Evolution & Social Change School of Molecular Sciences Television medical dramas have captivated audiences since their origins in the early 1950s, evolving from realistic portrayals of physicians to modern-day, dramatized versions that blend medical scenarios with the personal and professional dilemmas of providers. These series have significantly influenced public perceptions of medical practice, often shaping unrealistic expectations of physicians' roles and expertise. Through a detailed literature review, this thesis project applies the idea of Cultivation Theory to understand how dramatic television representations of medical professionals influence audience expectations of actual healthcare scenarios. Further, through a case study of selected scenes from the popular medical series, Grey’s Anatomy, this thesis more specifically examines how drug dependence is depicted on medical television, exploring the impact of these portrayals on real-life provider interactions. Findings highlight that viewers often conflate dramatic storytelling with real medical practice, especially in regards to treatment of substance abuse. TV medical dramas Drug Dependence Cultivation theory Public Perception Medicine in the Media: The Influence of Primetime Medical Dramas on the Public Perception of Physicians and Treatment of Drug Dependence