Tired of scrolling to find something to watch? We’ve got a list of excellent healthcare-related documentaries sure to grab and keep your attention.
Healthcare documentaries offer a window into the complexities of this world and show the daily struggles and triumphs of nurses, patients, and other healthcare providers. Over the past few years, several films have stood out for addressing critical and often controversial healthcare topics and offering insight into the realities of the healthcare system.
Below are 10 such documentaries impossible for any nurse to ignore – films that are sure to stir emotions and provide perspectives on your career.
1. 'Capturing the Killer Nurse'
This true crime nurse documentary tells the chilling story of Charles Cullen, a nurse who killed dozens of patients in his care. His fellow nurse, Amy Loughren, helped law enforcement expose his crimes and bring him to justice. "Capturing the Killer Nurse" explores a dark side of healthcare and the incredible bravery required to confront such tragedy. Charles Cullen’s crimes and Amy Loughren’s role in bringing him to just are also explored in the film, “The Good Nurse.”
Where to watch: Netflix
2. 'A.I. Revolution'
This documentary analyzes examples of artificial intelligence in healthcare and highlights how AI is being used to streamline care and improve outcomes. The film addresses AI’s potential benefits, such as faster diagnoses and more efficient workflows, and the ethical concerns surrounding privacy, data security, and the human element in healthcare.
Available on: PBS
3. 'Navigating the Nursing Shortage'
This short PBS documentary explores the truth about the nursing shortage from nurses’ perspectives and highlights the complex factors contributing to the crisis. It features interviews with healthcare leaders and nurses discussing how burnout, staffing challenges, and educational gaps have led to rising vacancies in nursing positions.
Available on: PBS
4. 'Aftershock'
“Aftershock” explores the devastating maternal mortality crisis in the United States, focusing on the disproportionately high rates of death among Black women during or after childbirth. The documentary follows the stories of two women who tragically died from preventable childbirth complications. Their families turned their grief into activism, advocating for systemic changes in maternal healthcare and raising awareness about racial disparities in maternal outcomes.
Watch on: Hulu
4. 'Hiding in Plain Sight: Youth Mental Illness'
This two-part documentary examines the mental health struggles the youth of America face and highlights the personal stories of 20 individuals navigating conditions such as depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder.
Through their experiences, the film uncovers the significant barriers to accessing care, while also addressing the stigma that surrounds mental illness. Ultimately, it underscores the urgent need for improved mental health services tailored to young people.
Available on: PBS
5. 'The First Wave'
"The First Wave" is an intense and gripping portrayal of front-line workers during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic in New York City. The documentary reveals the extraordinary sacrifices made by nurses and doctors as they struggled to save lives in overwhelmed hospitals, often putting their own health at risk.
As the crisis unfolds, the film captures not only their physical efforts but also the emotional toll of working under such relentless pressure, illustrating the resilience and dedication of healthcare workers in the face of an unprecedented global challenge.
Available on: Hulu
7. 'In Case of Emergency'
This documentary highlights the daily chaos and life-or-death scenarios emergency nurses manage in the emergency room. It showcases their resilience, dedication, and the intense pressure they endure while working in critical care environments.
Stream on: Apple TV+
8. 'The Cave'
"The Cave" follows Amani Ballour, MD, a female pediatrician leading an underground hospital in war-torn Syria, where she and other female physicians work alongside male colleagues in a society that often discourages women from leadership roles.
Despite the constant airstrikes and lack of medical supplies, they provide lifesaving care to civilians. The documentary highlights the resilience of these healthcare workers, showcasing the strength of women in a patriarchal society.
Stream on: National Geographic and Amazon Prime Video
9. 'Human Nature'
The "Human Nature" documentary explores the revolutionary CRISPR gene-editing technology and its potential to transform medicine and humanity. The film features scientists, ethicists, and patients as they discuss the possibilities of curing genetic diseases and altering human traits. It also raises important ethical questions about the impact of gene editing on society and future generations.
Where to watch: Amazon Prive Video
10. '5B'
The "5B" documentary examines the creation of the first hospital ward in the U.S. for HIV/AIDS patients at San Francisco General Hospital in the early 1980s. The nurses, physicians, and caregivers on Ward 5B offered groundbreaking care during the height of the epidemic. “5B” captures the compassion, courage, and innovation of healthcare workers fighting stigma and providing humane care when it was most needed.
Available on: Tubi, Peacock, Amazon Prime
