In an opinion piece, News Team member Rama Esrawee describes how cultural competence training early in medical education could reduce Black maternal mortality.
How a Show About a Bad Doctor Inspired a Career Goal of Health Care
by Harika Adusumilli
I’ve always found myself attracted to the morbid, whether it be horror movies or true crime shows. Thus I was immediately drawn to the Peacock show Dr. Death, a 2021 series (inspired by a 2018 podcast) centered around a neurosurgeon who injures and kills his patients. This series quickly became more than just another TV binge — it changed my outlook on healthcare and, more importantly, my own career goals.
Dr. Death, which is based on a true story, follows Dr. Christopher Duntsch. Duntsch carefully curates a confident and reassuring persona to connect with his patients. He portrays himself as seemingly the perfect doctor. This could not be further from the truth.
Duntsch’s deceit startled me. I realized that being a good doctor isn’t about status or superficial appearance — it’s about genuine care and empathy. A good doctor will prioritize their patients above all else.
I resonated with the show on a deep level, despite the gore and drama in each episode. Seeing Duntsch’s flaws helped me define the kind of person and, hopefully, doctor I want to be. I want to look at each patient as a person, rather than another statistic.
Dr. Death helped me decide to go into the healthcare field, despite its extreme depictions of malpractice. Moreover, the show serves as reminder that our decisions don’t exist in a vacuum, instead impacting those around us. And, when others place their faith in us, it is our duty to act ethically.
You can stream Dr. Death on Peacock TV.
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