Gregory House

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Gregory House is a fictional character and the protagonist of the American television series House. Created by David Shore, House is portrayed by actor Hugh Laurie. The character is a medical genius and the head of the Department of Diagnostic Medicine at the fictional Princeton-Plainsboro Teaching Hospital in New Jersey.

Character Overview

Gregory House is known for his unconventional approach to medicine, his brilliant diagnostic skills, and his abrasive personality. He is a board-certified diagnostician with a double specialty in infectious disease and nephrology. House is often portrayed as a medical Sherlock Holmes, solving complex medical cases that other doctors cannot.

Personality

House is characterized by his misanthropic demeanor, sarcasm, and disregard for hospital rules and procedures. Despite his difficult personality, he is respected by his colleagues for his diagnostic acumen. House often uses unconventional methods to diagnose patients, including breaking into their homes to gather evidence.

Physical Appearance

House is often seen with a cane, which he uses due to chronic pain in his right leg. This pain is the result of an infarction in his quadriceps muscle, which was misdiagnosed and led to muscle death. House's reliance on pain medication, particularly Vicodin, is a recurring theme in the series.

Medical Approach

House's approach to medicine is based on the principle that "everybody lies," and he often assumes that patients are not telling the truth about their symptoms or medical history. He is known for his diagnostic process, which involves ruling out various possibilities through differential diagnosis.

Team Dynamics

House leads a team of young doctors who assist him in solving medical puzzles. Throughout the series, his team changes, but his leadership style remains consistent. He often challenges his team to think outside the box and encourages them to question assumptions.

Cultural Impact

The character of Gregory House has had a significant impact on popular culture. The show House has been praised for its portrayal of medical diagnostics and has inspired interest in the medical field. House's character has been compared to Sherlock Holmes, and the show often includes references to Holmesian themes.

Also see

• House (TV series)
• Sherlock Holmes
• David Shore
• Hugh Laurie
• Princeton-Plainsboro Teaching Hospital