The "medical romance" subgenre dates back to post-WWII literature, such as novels like Night Nurse Lucy

Where TV gets it partially right is the shared trauma. Healthcare workers experience a specific type of emotional labor that is difficult for "outsiders" to understand. This often draws medical professionals toward one another. However, while dramas use this trauma to fuel romantic tension, the reality is more somber. Compassion fatigue and burnout are significant hurdles to maintaining a relationship. When both partners spend their day giving everything to their patients, there is often very little emotional energy left for a partner at home.

Healthcare professionals work grueling hours, witness profound trauma, and make difficult decisions. This shared experience creates a unique bond, a sense of "us against the world."