UPMC Doctor Evaluates Accuracy of HBO Max's "The Pitt"
The HBO Max series "The Pitt," set in a bustling Pittsburgh emergency room, recently clinched the Gotham TV Award for Breakthrough Drama Series, a testament to its unique approach to storytelling.
Unlike typical medical dramas, "The Pitt" prioritizes authenticity. From the outset, viewers are immersed in the setting, witnessing an Allegheny Health Network helicopter land at Allegheny General Hospital, where star Noah Wyle portrays Dr. Robbie, ready to receive a patient.
Dr. Sylvia Owusu-Ansah, a pediatric emergency medicine specialist at UPMC Children's Hospital, commended the show's commitment to realism. "They have done an extraordinary job; they have emergency medicine physicians on set at all times," she noted.
The series has garnered praise from medical professionals not only for its accurate depiction of complex medical terminology and procedures but also for addressing underrepresented issues in healthcare. The creators consulted experts like Dr. Owusu-Ansah to explore untold stories in medical dramas.
One storyline that resonated with her involved a teenager experiencing a sickle cell crisis, who was mischaracterized as "aggressive and agitated." Dr. Owusu-Ansah described the portrayal as "spot on," recalling her surprise when she met Wyle during a consultation in Hollywood.
"I turned the corner, and Noah Wyle was there, and I almost passed out. I was not expecting him to be there," she recalled, highlighting the collaborative nature of the show's development.
This meeting led to the inclusion of various diagnostic scenarios in the series. "Marijuana or marijuana edibles are very accessible nowadays. We're also seeing that intoxication in children," she explained, emphasizing contemporary issues reflected in the show.
Dr. Owusu-Ansah also played a pivotal role in featuring the Hill District's Freedom House Ambulance Service, a significant part of emergency medicine history, in episode eight. "I told them that this story needs to be told, and sure enough, they told it," she added.
The show's success hinges on its dedication to listening to medical professionals. "It's just incredible how accurate they are, how intentional they are, and how they really acknowledge our medical expertise and take that, and that's what's made the show what it is today," Dr. Owusu-Ansah stated.
While she is uncertain about which of her experiences might be incorporated into future episodes, she noted that producers and writers have expressed interest in exploring more of her insights.
Filming for the second season has commenced, with plans for additional shoots in Pittsburgh potentially scheduled for September.
