7/7/2021-Originally this was a focused look at rural healthcare fiction covering 30 years. The idea was to help rural hospitals and other healthcare organizations, people, etc... get funding, skilled employees, and to create interest with the public and future healthcare workers by showing and combating stereotypes/myths. I believed that if rural healthcare was seen and discussed in ways that are accessible to everybody, I believed that things could be improved. However, getting my ideas out there has proved challenging so I have expanded the titles to include things over a larger range of time and included underserved (not just rural) stories.
(Original Title) Rural medicine as part of the
plot/setting from 1990-2020.
People working in rural medicine need to tell their stories there are only 19 of the 85 titles are based on a book.
20 of 50 States and 14 US Territories are represented.
The US States represented are: Alabama
(2), Alaska (2), Arizona (3), California (3), Colorado (3), Connecticut (1), Louisiana (1), Maine
(2), Maryland (1), Missouri (1), Montana (2), New Mexico (1), New York (4), North Carolina
(2), Oregon (2), South Carolina (1), Texas (1), Vermont (2), Virginia
(1)
The ones that take place in the US (With only a
few states being portrayed) portray a Doctor(s) and a receptionist occasionally
a nurse are able to take care of all of the needs in usually clean and nice-looking communities.
There are only a few that use a hospital as the setting (the
rest are clinics, private practice, etc...)
The point is that if we want more attention, money, funding for rural healthcare
then we need the non-rural to know what rural healthcare is like and not the fantasy
ideal.
Set
Within the US
Arachnophobia (1990)
Dr. Ross Jennings tired of city life moves to the country town of Canaima, California
with his family to start a practice. While this is happening an invasive hybrid
spider is spreading throughout the area. The Doctor Jennings, a spider expert Dr. James Atherton, the local
exterminator Delbert McClintock, and the Sheriff Parsons must work together to save the town.
Better Living Through Chemistry (2014)
Set in fictional Woodbury, Maryland depressed small town pharmacist Doug
Varney, who owns and operates the only pharmacy in town in town. Gets involved
in an affair with a customer, he begins abusing prescription pharmaceuticals
and making other poor decisions. Leading to a crisis where he could lose it
all.
Change of Habit (1969)
Three Nun Sister Michellie, Sister Irene, and Sister Barbara who are also trained Nurses of different backgrounds are sent by the Catholic Action Committee to work at a free clinic run by Dr. John Carpender that is located in underserved inner-city area of New York City, New York.
The Christmas Doctor (2020)
Traveling
Doctor Zoey Garner takes an assignment in Willowbrooke, New York over the
Holiday season. She falls in love with the town, reconnects with a former patient
from her military service and celebrates Christmas.
Christmas Under Wraps (2014)
After Doctor Lauren Brunell is not selected for
a position, she wanted she moves to a small town in Alaska. There she is
possibly working for Santa Clause, falls for the local (and only town
handyman), and struggles with some of the conditions of being in a small town.
Country
Remedy AKA Simple
Things (2007)
To become head of pediatrics at a Chicago
Hospital Dr. Evan Gibbs has to set up a clinic in the North Carolina. In the
Mountains of North Carolina, he reconnects with his son and learns about life. Inspired
by the book The Window of Childhood by Olson Huff, MD [First Published 1990].
Cutter to Huston (1983)
Cutter Community Hospital is located 60 miles away from Huston Texas is run by
a dedicated medical staff. When medical issues arise that are beyond what the
facility can handle, they contact The Texas Medical Center in Huston, Texas.
DOC (2001-2004)
Doctor Clint Cassidy from rural Montana is unneeded so he follows a girl
to New York City. Once in New York he goes to work for an HMO and becomes
popular with his country wisdom/ways and his above and beyond approach to
practicing medicine.
Doc Elliot (1973)
Doc Hollywood (1991)
Based on the book What? Dead
Again? By Neil B
Shulman, MD [First Published 1979].
Doctor Ben Stone is driving across the country from The District of
Colombia to Las Angles, California for a job. While on this trip he takes a
wrong turn into rural Grady, South Carolina. Where he crashes his car into a
fence and must perform community service as the town Doctor.
The Doctor and the Girl (1949) Doctor Michael Corday a Harvard
medical school graduate with a prominent future ahead of him (if he does as his
Father says) however he falls in love and marries a poor girl resulting in his
father cutting him off from the family money connections, etc… so he becomes a
general practitioner in Manhattans Lower East Side. Based on Bodies and Souls by Maxence Van der Meersch (Translator Eithne Wilkins) [First
Published in 1943].
Dr. Cook’s Garden (1971)
Based
on the Stage Play Dr Cook's Garden by Ira Levin [First Published in 1967] Recently graduated Doctor Jimmy Tennyson returns to his hometown in Vermont to practice family medicine. After joining Dr. Cooks Practice Dr.
Tennyson observes that some of Dr. Cook’s patients die within 24 hours after
treatment. He discovers the Doctor is performing mercy killings as well as
removing deplorables from society.
Dr. Giggles (1992)
A lunatic that believes
he is a MD escapes from the insane asylum he has been committed to. He goes
back to Moorehigh, Oregon his town. Dr. Giggles then proceeds to treat/kill/get
revenge on the people of his hometown. For the death of his father a local GP.
Dr. Kildare Goes Home (1940)
After completing his
internship Dr. Kildare temporarily returns home to (fictional) Dartford,
Connecticut to help his father and the nearby town of Parkersville. While facing
the challenges of being a young and new Kildare sets up a clinic before
returning to a position in New York City.
Dr.
Quinn Medicine Woman (1993-1998)
Post-Civil War a woman Doctor from Boston is
hired to be the town Doctor in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Once there she
proves herself as a Doctor, adopts 3 children, has a romance with a mountain
man, while making a home for herself.
Doctor Odyssey (2024-?)
Dr. Max Bankman has become the onboard Physician aboard a Luxury cruise ship; The Odyssey. Onboard He leads his team and treats various medical issues and emergences often miles away from shore/civilization.
Everwood (2002-2006)
Widowed Doctor Andrew Brown moves his family New York City to Everwood,
Colorado. Where he sets up a free clinic and finds that practicing medicine in
a small town and raising a family are more challenging than he expected.
Finding Normal (2013)
Dr. Lisa Leland is driving from Los Angeles to
New York gets arrested in Normal, North Carolina for many traffics
violations. Her punishment is to serve the local community as a
Doctor.
Four Eyes,
Six Guns (1992)
Optometrist Earnest Allbright buys a practice in Tombstone, AZ. When he arrives
in Tombstone the business, the town, and the West are not what he expected.
Things are challenging until he earns the love of a good woman and helps Marshal
Wyatt Earp stop a gang of outlaws with his shooting skills.
Frontier Doctor (1956-1959)
Set in Arizona Territory in the early 1900's; Dr. Baxter treats a variety of
patient's and danger in following his calling.
Green Light (1937)
Based on the novel Green
Light by Lloyd C. Douglas [First Published in 1934] Dr.
Paige young surgeon takes the blame for a blotched surgery for his mentor and resigns
from his position. He goes to work at a wilderness research facility in Montana. At
the facility he works to find a cure for Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever.
Hart of Dixie (2011-2015)
Dr. Zoe Hart has her life planned out until she
loses her residency and discovers her father is not her biological father. So, she seeks out her biological father only to learn he died and left her his
practice in Bluebell, Alabama.
I Walked With a Zombie (1943)
Nurse Betsy Connell is hired to care for the Jessica the wife of a plantation owner on a Caribbean Island. As she tries to help Jessica as various family secrets are revealed.
The
Incredible Journey of Doctor Meg Laurel (1979)
Set in the 1930's Dr. Meg Laurel leaves her life
in Boston to return to her hometown in rural Appalachia, Virginia. Where she
clashes with the local healer/midwife along with the community in general
before she learns, adapts and builds her hospital and practice.
Jesse (1988)
In Meredith, CA. a small rural town the only time they have a Doctor is on
Wednesdays when one flies in. The rest of the time is Jesse Malone an LPN takes
care of the medical needs of the area. One day she is reported and arrested and
has to go to court for practicing beyond her scope of practice.
Kingdom Hospital (2004)
Kingdom Hospital in
Lewiston Maine is haunted due to being built upon a Civil War Era Mill. That
was destroyed by fire in addition to a former hospital that also burned down.
The staff deals with the haunting (and other really strange and supernatural events) as best they can while another disaster looms.
Kingdom of the Spiders (1977)
Set in Camp Verde, Arizona, Tarantulas that have mutated because of the overuse of pesticides have started attacking livestock. The towns veterinarian Dr. Robert Hansen is called to investigate. A spider's nest is discovered and destroyed. This helps set the spiders on a migration towards the town cutting it off from the rest of the world.
Kings Row (1942) (1955)
Based on the novel Kings Row by Henry Bellamann [First Published in 1940]. Set in an ideal town in 1890 Missouri two childhood friends Parris Mitchell (who wants to become a doctor) and Drake McHugh (who wants to become a businessman) grow up and face darkness within the town. Which include medical malpractice, theft, murder, suicide and scandal. In facing these things, they must make decisions on their moral beliefs and what kind of men they will be.
Midwives (2001)
Based on the novel Midwives by Chris Bohjalian [First Published in 1997]. Set in rural Vermont Midwife Sybil Danforth is dealing with a difficult birth during a blizzard. When the patient dies, Sybil preforms a C Section saving the baby. Later Sybil is accused of murdering the mother and must defend herself in court.
Miss Evers Boys (1997)
Based on the play Miss Evers Boys by David Feldshuh [First Published in 1995]. In 1932 The Tuskegee Study of Untreated Blacks with Syphilis; In which 412 black men were infected with syphilis to see how they were affected by the infection. The events are told from the perspective of Nurse Evers.
Mumford (1999)
In the town of Mumford, Oregon a Psychologist names Micky Mumford treats people
with unusual therapies until Unsolved Mysteries reveals that
he is not who he says he is.
Northern Exposure (1990-1995)
Recent Graduate New York Doctor Joel Fleischman has to work in Cicely, Alaska a
rural town with some interesting residents to pay back the state
for funding his way through medical school.
One Man's Journey (1933) A Man to Remember (1938)
Based on the short story Failure by Katharine
Haviland-Taylor [First Published 1932]. A widowed Doctor and his young son move
to a rural town called Westport somewhere within the US. Set after WWI the
Doctor adopts an orphaned baby girl serves his community when his patients
cannot pay, he takes IOU’s and livestock as payment. He also fights to improve
medical care in the town but faces challenges from the town leaders and his
creditors.
Royal Pains (2009-2016)
Dr. Hank Lawson loses his job in New York after a wealthy patient dies in his
care. Dr. Hank with his Account brother and a local Physician’s Assistant
create a Concierge Doctor Practice in the Hampton's.
Shut In (2016)
A horror thriller about a recently widowed child
psychologist in rural Maine; Believes that her and her injured child is in
danger from a supernatural presence.
Skelton Key (2005)
Caroline Ellis a Hospice Nurse in Louisia quits her job and goes to work for
a New Orleans Plantation helping a take care of her husband that suffered from
a stroke. At the plantation she investigates a ghost story and other mysterious
happenings around the house.
Stigma (1972)
A Doctor goes to work in a remote island community and discovers a syphilis
outbreak is being hidden by the town.
Strange Lady In Town (1955)
Set in the 1880’s Dr. Julia Winslow Garth leaves Boston, Massachusetts to Santa
Fe, New Mexico to set up a medical practice. In Santa Fe she has disagreements
with the other Doctor in town about treating patients.
They Rode West (1954)
1st Lt. Allen Steward MD is a newly commissioned officer is sent to his first posting at a western fort near an Indian reservation for Kiowa. In his new post he clashes with the fort commander Colonel Waters and the tribes Medicine Man in regard to the treatment and prevention of malaria.
Virgin River (2019-?)
The series is based on the Virgin River Book Series by
Robyn Carr [First Published in 2007] A Nurse Practitioner and Midwife
Melinda Monroe takes a job in the rural town of Virgin River, California. She
goes there for a fresh start after going through personal tragedies.
ER - Season 5 – Episode 16: Middle of Nowhere (1999)
In this episode Dr. Peter Benton takes a temp
travel assignment to earn money. Benton goes to a rural town in Mississippi to
work at a clinic that is run by Nurse Practitioner Maureen Chapman. Dr. Benton
is shocked at the lack of recourses and faces some dramatic challenges in this
episode.
Set Outside of the US
This includes what I have access to and know of, so it is as complete as possible.
All Creatures Great and Small (1978-1990), (2020-2024)
Based on All Creatures Great and Small by James Harriot [First
Published in 1972] (along with his other books in the series) After Dr. James
Herriot finishes Veterinary school and takes his first job treating all
kinds of animals in rural Yorkshire, England starting in 1930's.
The Artful Dodger (2023)
Taking place years after the events of Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens [First Published in 1838]. James Dawkins formerly known as Artful Dodger is now a Surgeon and a former Royal Navy Lieutenant in a Australian colony during the 1850's. His new crime free life is disrupted when he goes into a major gambling debt and his criminal mentor Fagin reenters his life. While trying to handle debt, criminal activities, and his medical practice he gets involved with the Governers older daughter (who he is half in love with at the beginning) that wants to learn how to be a surgeon from him. All of this Causes him a lot of personal and professional challenges that may just end him for good.
Born and Bred (2002-2005)
Set in Lancashire Village of Ormston during the 1950's. Widowed Dr. Authur Gilder wants his son Dr. Tom Gilder to take over his country practice. After some scheming he convinces his son to move his wife and family to town. Father and son clash with different styles of practicing medicine while Tom's family adjusts from city living to small town life.
Bramwell (1995-1998)
In the Victorian Era, Dr.
Eleanor Bramwell is unable to gain respect or have the career she desires she
creates (with the help of a wealthy backer) her own medical clinic in a poor underserved
area of London.
Bush Doctor (1982)
After suffering from a personal tragedy Dr. Robert Maxwell retires from medicine and goes to Africa to get away from it all. After a school bus crashes Dr. Maxwell is pressed into service by the local understaffed mission hospital.
Call
the Midwife (2012-?)
Based on the Midwife Trilogy by Jennifer Worth [First
published 2002] the TV series of the nurses, midwifes, and nuns that live and
work in London's East End during the 1950’s and 60's.
China Sky (1945)
Based on the novel China
Sky by, Pearl S Buck [First Published in 1941] Dr. Grey
Thompson and Dr. Sara Durand run a mission hospital in rural China. When
Dr. Thompson brings his new wife to the mission tensions arise between the two
women. After the invading Japanese Army comes near the mission hospital they
decide to treat and support Chinese Guerilla Fighters.
The Chosen One A.K.A. O Escolhido (2019)
Three Doctors go to a remote village in Pantanal, Brazil to vaccinate against
the Zika virus. Once there the Doctors clash with a local faith healer and
his loyal followers.
The Citadel (1938) (2001)
Based on the book The Citadel by A.J. Cronon [First
Published in 1937] A young Doctor starts his career in a poor area but is
frustrated by his attempts to improve his patients' lives and cure/prevent the
chronic conditions caused by the working conditions of the largest employers.
After a personal tragedy he heads to London and is tempted by easy money of
treating patients of high society.
The Clinic on the Sea (2013)
Dr. Sezaki Kota a young doctor that is a little too eager with women starts
working on a traveling Boat Clinic that serves the small islands off of
Japan.
The Country Doctor AKA Medecin de Campagne (2016)
A beloved Doctor is diagnosed with cancer, so he starts training a younger
Doctor that is interested in learning rural medicine.
A Country Practice (1981-1993)
Australian series focuses on the day-to-day life of the Doctors and Nurses in a
rural hospital, the area, and people it serves in Wandin Valley.
Daktari (1966-1969)
Veterinarian Dr. Marsh Tracy and his daughter Paula and their team run an animal research center in Africa while battling criminals and other dangers.
Doc Martian (2004-2021) Doc Martin (FR) (2011-2015)
A top surgeon that develops a blood phobia becomes the GP in the Coastal
town of Portwenn, Cornwall, England where he had spent his summers as a child.
Doctor Finley (1993-1996)
After serving in the Royal Army Medical Core
during WWII, Dr. John Finley returns to Tannochbrae, Scotland to work as a GP
in a time when the practice of medicine was changing. Inspired by Dr.
Finlay's Casebook by A.J.
Cronin [First Published in 1928].
Dr.
Koto's Clinic A.K.A. Dr.コトー診療所 (2003)
After making a dramatic mistake in Tokyo; Dr. Koto goes to work at a clinic serving a small island off of Okinawa.
Doctor
Romantic (2016) Doctor Romantic 2 (2020)
Surgeon Kim Sa Bu that has left prestigious
hospital in the city runs Doldum Hospital in Jeongseon County of South Korea
Dr. Kim Sa Bu does what he can to bring in funding and talent, keeps the place
running, and mentors the Doctors that come to work for him.
The Flying Doctors (1986-1992)
The Royal Flying Doctor Service sends medical personal to remote parts of the
Australian Outback where medical help would not be otherwise available.
Fragile (2005)
An American nurse takes a night position at Mercy Falls Children’s Hospital on
the Isle of Wright. While working there she learns of a supernatural presence
and must protect herself and the children.
The Good Karma Hospital (2017-2019)
English Doctor Ruby Walker wanting a fresh start decides to take a job in India
at a nice new modern hospital only to discover she actually she signed up to work
at the run down, understaffed Good Karma Hospital. While working there she
grows as a person and a Doctor.
The Grand Seduction (2014)
The people of a small fishing village in Canada that is slowing dying gets a
chance to save their home when they are selected as a possible location of a
new factory. To increase their chances, they must get a have a local MD. They
are able to find Doctor in need of a change to temporarily work there. The
towns people band together to make him become a permanent resident.
Hard Rock Medical (2013-2018)
Eight students that are Medical Students attending the Boreal Medical School in Canada. These students are participating in the school's rural medicine program.
The Heart Guy A.K.A. Doctor Doctor (2016-2021)
A hard partying heart surgeon Dr. Hugh Knight gets into trouble one too many
times and has to serve community service as a Doctor his rural home of
Whyhope, Australia as a GP/Surgeon in the towns under resourced
hospital.
Hills
of Home (1948)
Based
on the novel A Doctor of the Old School by Ian Maclaren [First Published in 1895]. Set in Drumtochty, Scotland Dr. William Maclure is an old-fashioned country physician that is paid
with a dog called Lassie that is not of use as a working dog but becomes a
beloved complain animal. As he goes about his life, he wants a local child to
take over his practice as he is having trouble keeping up in his later years of
life. He finds one in Tammas Milton and sends him to medical school when he
passes away after an accident Dr. Milton takes over the practice.
Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha (2021)
Yoon Hye-Jin DDS is living the good life in the city when she loses her job she goes to a small town where she was happy as a child the seaside village of Gongjin, South Korea. The town does not have a dentist, so Yoon Hye-Jin decides to stay. However, she has trouble adapting to the small-town life as she adjusts to a different lifestyle with the help from unofficial chief of the village a romance begins.
Hospital Ship A.K.A. 병원선 / Byeong-Wonseon (2017)
Young Doctors with different specialties provide medical care for island
communities of South Korea aboard a hospital ship.
In The Fire (2023)
Set in 1890 Dr. Grace Burnham travels to a rural plantation in Prue to treat Martin Marquez a child that has autism. As she goes about her work, Dr. Burnham and the boy are being blamed for several natural disasters hitting the area by the local villagers.
The Indian Doctor (2010-2013)
In 1963 Dr. Perm Sharma and his wife relocate from India to a Welsh mining town
to be the towns GP.
Medicine Man (1992)
Dr. Robert Campbell is close to discovering a cure for cancer based on a local
tribal cure deep in the Amazon Rain Forest. Unable to duplicate it perfectly he
seeks help in creating the cure and stopping development that will destroy the
habit the cure located in.
Nijiiro Carte AKA NIZI Village Clinic (2021)
Physician Masora Kureno is working at a large hospital in Toyko, Japan when she learns that she has a chronic illness. Needing and wanting to continue working she hides her condition and takes a position at Nijinomura Clinic located in a small mountain village and adapts to being a Country Doctor.
Nurses On The Line: The Crash of Flight 7 A.K.A. Lost
In The Wild (1993)
Based on the true story about a group of Doctors and Student Nurses that were
traveling to a medical station in rural Mexico; that crash lands in the rain
forests after an engine malfunction.
Off The Map (2011)
Three US Doctors completing their residencies go to work at a free medical clinic (200 miles away from any other medical facility) in rural South America to gain experience and learn from the established Doctors that run the clinic.
Once Upon A Small Town (2022)
In the rural village of Huidong,
South Korea the town Veterinarian Han Deok-Jin has decided to take a long vacation
with his wife and conspires with members of his family to have his youngest grandson
Han Ji-Yel a Veterinarian in Seoul to take over his country practice. At first Ji-Yel
struggles with small town life and working with livestock but comes to love the
place and the work.
The Ottoman Lieutenant (2017)
A Young nurse from Philadelphia joins an American doctor, to a medical mission
in the Ottoman Empire just before the start of WWI. Once there she develops a
relationship and falls in love with a charming Lieutenant in the Ottoman Army.
Outlander (2014-?)
Based on the Outlander Novels by, Diana Gabaldon [First
Published in 1991] A Post WWII Nurse travels back in time to 18th Century
Scotland while on Vacation with her husband. In the past she works as a healer
and gets involved with the people and events of that time. So, she has to decide
to stay in the past or go back to the future.
The
Painted Veil (1934) (2006)
Based on the novel The Painted Veil by W. Somerset Maugham [First
Published in 1925]. Set in the 1920's Kitty a woman of British high society
gets married to a Doctor based out of China. Having married him for the wrong
reasons she quickly has an affair. When her husband finds out he gives her a
choice of divorce or to go with him to rural China.
Peak Practice (1993-2002)
After leaving Africa Dr. Jack Kerruish goes to work at Peak Practice in
Cardale, in the Derbyshire Peak District of the UK. The series follows the
adventures of the Doctors and staff that work in the practice.
RAN: Remote Area Nurse (2006)
Helen Termaine RN is sent to a remote island community in Australia’s North
Torres Straits.
Red Beard (1965)
Set in Japan during the early
1900 a recently graduated Dr. Noboru Yasumoto has been sent to complete his internship
at the poor and rural Koishikawa Medical Center rather than the wealthy upper-class
hospital he was expecting. Learning under an experienced Doctor nicknamed Red Beard
Dr. Yasumoto grows as a Doctor and gains a new perspective of the world by the end
of his internship.
Reef Doctors (2013)
Set on Hope Island, Queensland, Australia. Sam Stuart MD and her team run a remote clinic that serves several local islands, tourists, conducts research on the venom from the local wildlife.
RFDS: Royal Flying Doctor Service (2021-?)
After Dr. Eliza Harrod is affected by marriage problems and a scandal in
England. She takes a position as a Senior Medical Officer for the RFDS in rural
Australia.
The Royal (2003-2011)
Set in the 1960's the staff of St Aidan's Royal Free Hospital deal with
changing times, money problems and community health in the seaside town in
Great Britain.
Sky Med (2022)
Set in Nothern Canada the series revolves around the work, romances, and lives of Doctors, Nurses and Pilots for/with a medic transport and rescue company.
Summer 2007 (2007)
After getting in over his head in politics a Medical Student decides to get out
of town for a while. He convinces several of his friends/classmates to do
their required community service internship at what they believe will be a
modern clinic in an upper-class vacation area of India. Instead, they are sent to a poor
rural area.
Books:
A Doctor of the Old School by Ian Maclaren [First Published in 1895]
The
Painted Veil by W. Somerset Maugham [First
Published in 1925]
Dr. Finlay's Casebook by A.J. Cronin [First Published
in 1928]
Failure by Katharine Haviland-Taylor [First Published 1932]
Green Light by Lloyd
C. Douglas [First Published in 1934]
The Citadel by
A.J. Cronon [First Published in 1937]
Kings Row by Henry Bellamann [First Published in 1940]
China Sky by,
Pearl S Buck [First Published in 1941]
Bodies
and Souls by Maxence Van der Meersch (Translator Eithne Wilkins) [First Published in 1943].
All Creatures Great and Small by James Harriot [First Published in 1972]
What? Dead Again? By Neil B Shulman, MD [First Published
1979]
Window of Childhood by Olson Huff, MD [First Published 1990]
Outlander Novels by, Diana Gabaldon [First Published in 1991]
Miss Evers Boys by David Feldshuh [First Published in 1995]
Midwives by Chris Bohjalian [First Published in 1997]
The Midwife Trilogy by Jennifer Worth [First published
2002]
Virgin River by
Robyn Carr [First Published in 2007]
Doc Martin: Practice Makes Perfect by Sam North [First Published in 2013] Doc Martin: Mistletoe and Whine by Sam North [First Published in 2013]
