The ABC medical drama “Doctor Odyssey” begins with Dr. Max Bankman, who makes a misdiagnosis during his time on a cruise ship.

What Bankman (played by Joshua Jackson), an accomplished doctor, believes to be an allergic reaction to antibiotics is later revealed to be iodine poisoning due to excessive shrimp consumption. “This type of incident happens at least once each trip,” states nurse Tristan Silva (Sean Teale), who has more experience dealing with maritime health issues, in the pilot episode.

After this incident, nurse practitioner Avery Morgan (Phillipa Soo) provides guidance to the rookie doctor, saying, “Cruise ships have unique health challenges. We encounter both a variety and a frequency of conditions.”

However, in reality, iodine poisoning is not a common issue. “We have never encountered a case of iodine poisoning,” asserts Liz Baugh, Lead Medical Consultant for Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours, which runs small luxury ships akin to the one in the show. She spoke with YSL News about the specifics of cruise ship healthcare.

“In my 25 years of experience, this has never happened,” Baugh, who served as a Royal Navy medic before joining Scenic in 2020, explained. “From my own knowledge, it’s not an occurrence that we see regularly.”

This scenario exemplifies the dramatized medical emergencies depicted in “Doctor Odyssey.” Baugh assisted YSL News in distinguishing reality from entertainment.

Are the Medical Protocols in ‘Doctor Odyssey’ Authentic?

In some respects, they are. The fictional cruise ship features one doctor and two nurses, which is comparable to Scenic’s vessels that also have one doctor and a nurse. Additionally, the medical facilities depicted bear a strong resemblance to reality.

“Scenic vessels have limited medical facilities,” Baugh commented. “We have a single-bedded ward suitable for treating a critically ill patient, alongside a doctor’s consultation room for minor procedures.”

There’s also a small lab for basic testing, such as blood samples and X-rays. Recently, the line has acquired ultrasound equipment.

Similar to the show’s medical staff, who only perform surgery in emergencies, Scenic does not have surgical facilities on board.

“For us, any surgical emergency results in a medical evacuation, as we are unable to offer the necessary follow-up care or the required surgical equipment,” Baugh explained.

It is possible for ships to keep patients for longer durations. In the show, Captain Robert Massey (Don Johnson) cautions Bankman that the vessel is generally three hours away from land, stating that “medevac situations in open waters are often impractical.”

When near the shore, Baugh noted that passengers requiring additional assistance could be transferred either by boat or helicopter, when further out.

“Once you venture beyond helicopter range, typically 200 to 250 miles offshore, then you enter a zone where obtaining specialized care becomes a challenge and you may need to rely solely on the ship’s medical team,” she described. “It’s crucial to be equipped for such scenarios.”

On average, Scenic performs one medical evacuation per ship annually, often involving coordinated efforts with the coastguards for helicopter retrieval.

Is ‘Doctor Odyssey’ an Overstatement?

Yes, it is exaggerated. Although the show showcases an array of dramatic medical crises, including appendicitis, copper poisoning, and punctured lungs, Baugh mentions that the frequent health issues that cruise guests face are typically less severe.

Common ailments include bladder infections and ear, nose, and throat infections. “Seasickness is also quite common, especially among those who are not accustomed to the ocean,” Baugh added.

Passengers occasionally deal with minor injuries, such as bruises, as they try to steady themselves in the ship’s movement.

Cruise ships are mandated to have automated external defibrillators, generally available in public areas, with a more advanced version found within the medical facility, as noted by Baugh. Such equipment appears multiple times within the initial episodes of “Doctor Odyssey.”

Baugh has not witnessed any cases of cardiac arrest among Scenic passengers over the past four years.

They have been collaborating with the crew, although the frequency of such collaborations may differ based on the age and fitness of the guests aboard the cruise line.

In a scene where Bankman heroically leaps from a boat to rescue a guest who has fallen into the water, Baugh indicated that typically, other team members manage such incidents—often without needing to enter the water themselves. Meanwhile, the medical personnel are tasked with ensuring the facility is prepared for such emergencies.

“Because no matter how well-meaning I am, if I jump into the water, what are the odds that I’ll be okay?” she explained. “It’s crucial to have an equipped medic ready to assist someone who’s been submerged.”

ABC has not yet responded to a request for further information.

‘It’s not that common’

Even though the fictional medical team on “Doctor Odyssey” deals with numerous critical situations weekly, Baugh assures that actual cruiser visitors should not overly worry.

“It’s not a frequent occurrence,” she emphasized. Baugh mentioned that the cruise line adopts many preventive measures both before and during the voyage, from encouraging guests to pack adequate medications to cautioning them about possibly rough waters.

“I genuinely appreciate the concept of TV shows that take viewers on a journey to different parts of the world,” she stated. “I understand why they sometimes enhance the drama, as in the medical field, we are often very calculated in our responses.”

This article was updated to correct a typographical error.