Why do American TV doctor shows like "Dr Oz" enjoy such high ratings? [Details]?

Because nothing else is on from 12 – 5 pm… it’s all soap operas and childrens programming. The target audience is homemakers.

I think its because people want to have tips to better health, and you are already paying for the cable, so why not. People also buy prevention magazine. Plus Oprah got him his start on her show as a go to doctor for recommendations. So her fans simply followed where she pointed.
Oz has become too commercialized.

I prefer The Doctors over Oz because you get a wide variety of opinions rather than everything through his viewpoint but I do watch both.

But, as with anything on TV or in print, you owe it to yourself to do your due diligence and check out the info given with other reliable sources such as Mayo Clinic and similar websites.

I’ve learned of quite a number of advances in medicine of which I wouid have been totally unaware had I not watched the show. And many of these involve far less invasive procedures than typical.

I’ve even answered some Qs on Fluther with the info gleaned from these medical shows (with the caution that people should do their own confirmation of the info in question.)

If you don’t trust the info being given, there are a plethora of REPUTABLE online sources which you can use to either confirm or deny.

As always, it’s a case of “caveat emptor” especially where medical info is concerned. If you don’t take the time to find independent confirmation of whatever is being discussed by Oz or The Doctors, then you have no one but yourself to blame.

One other salient fact here: Oz and all the participants on The Doctors are board certified physicians. They aren’t just a bunch of showoff ignorant quacks.

You might not agree with their point of view (I disagree with Oz quite often) but at least they do have the credentials and bona fides which we are always advised to check for when searching for a Dr. in real life so obviously that’s worthy of some respect regardless of whether you care for their viewpoint or opinions.

As a matter of fact, both program have done a number of segments with people who have not been as careful in their selection of medical people and ended up with horrendous results. These are cautionary tales and should put all of us on alert to always get a second opinion (or more) EVEN from TV Doctors.

Just because they’re on TV does not necessarily negate their years of training and experience. Dr. Oz is a respected Cardiothoracic surgeon by his peers and still regularly maintains an operating schedule along with his media pursuits. Granted not 5–7 days a week as previously but he devotes at least one of two full days per week despite his TV schedule.

And the same is true for those on The Doctors. They maintain active medical practices.

I can honestly say that over the past several years I’ve been exposed to significant medical info of which I would have been totally unaware previously.

That doesn’t mean that I just automatically swallow everything hook line and sinker. I do my research as I do with any other media.

Everybody in media (except for the most principled news reporters) has a viewpoint and agenda. So what? Just because you choose to watch it doesn’t mean that you do so uncritically.

Compared to a lot of the other typically gossipy Hollywood crap coming over the airwaves, at least the medical program make an effort at education so i’d much rather spend my time watching them than a lot of the other useless crap out there.

But, if it’s not your cup of tea no one is forcing you to watch.

This article is relevant:
http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2013/02/04/the-operator

I trust very little from a doctor whose main goal seem to be ratings and selling products.

I think to answer the question directly, he’s an entertainer and although I don’t look at him and think “handsome,” he’s not bad looking. Good looks help sell.

Could you ask the same question about other so-called experts?

Look at CNBC or Fox News or various other programs that bring in purported experts – but the experts have precious little in the way of substance, and are usually there to promote their philosophy, or their product, or their stock.

Basically, someone like Dr. Oz performs a service to the uneducated. He perhaps familiarizes them with potentially important information. But it’s done so simplistically that it can’t be take seriously.

In the land of the blind, the one-eyed man is king.

Going to an actual doctor is expensive.

It’s all about good entertainment and showmanship and little to do about medicine or scientific studies.

Dr Oz = Feel good and warm and fuzzy.

@gondwanalon: Very well put. The few times that I watched his show, I came away with the feeling that it was all about ratings, image and promoting (without appearing to do so) the opinions of the current corporate sponsor, not sound medical advice.

I honestly have no clue, especially when about 50% is absolute nonsense.

It is incredible what nonsense people are willing to believe: astrology, homeopathic medicine, dowsing rods, reiki massage, chiropractors and accupuncture just to name a few off the top of my head. Then add in the faith that people place in doctors going back to times when medicine was mostly quackery.