By: Scott Anderson

Scott Anderson — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 17:47:35 +0000

I was pleased to read about how U of T law grad David Shore has been involved in the creation of the misanthropic doctor in the TV show House. Regrettably, as a retired anatomist with longstanding medical experience, I must point out that it contravenes all clinical logic to see Dr. House limping about the set with his cane in the wrong hand! All patients requiring the use of a cane to assist with walking on a traumatized lower limb use the cane in the opposite hand to prevent an excruciating limp, such as the one shown by Dr. House.

Harry Lee
BA 1972 Woodsworth, MEd 1975
Perth, Australia

By: Scott Anderson

Scott Anderson — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 17:46:47 +0000

I encourage my students to watch House – because it clearly shows what is wrong with our health-care systems. House is one of a number of television shows that romanticize old-school notions of health-care practice. Dr. House is a bully. He bullies junior staff, other professionals and even his patients. Despite consistent recommendations for improvement, television medical shows glorify bullying, endorse finding others to blame and generally destroy the notion of effective teamwork in providing high-quality, safe health care. Are we reinforcing poor practice among a new generation of health-care practitioners?
Sandra G. Leggat BSc 1978, MSc 1985, PhD 1998 Melbourne, Australia

Comments on: The House That Dave Built

By: Scott Anderson

By: Scott Anderson