Lifeline (1978 TV series)

Lifeline was an American documentary television series broadcast by NBC in 1978. Each episode followed the professional and personal lives of a single medical doctor over a period of several weeks or months, offering viewers a glimpse into the realities of practicing medicine.

The series was known for its cinéma vérité style, using handheld cameras and direct sound to create a sense of immediacy and realism. The doctors featured in Lifeline represented a range of specialties and geographic locations, including general practitioners, surgeons, and emergency room physicians.

While praised for its unflinching portrayal of the challenges and rewards of the medical profession, Lifeline also faced criticism for its perceived invasiveness and potential to exploit the lives of its subjects. The show was cancelled after only a few episodes due to low ratings and ethical concerns. It nonetheless remains a significant example of early reality television and a valuable historical document of medical practice in the late 1970s.