Grey's Anatomy has gained traction over the years since it first aired in September 2005 with many returning fans and the show is now fast approaching the 300 episode mark. The show has become so popular of late that it is not uncommon to hear of new viewers committing themselves to binge watch the entire show on Netflix just to get caught up on current episodes.

Grey's Anatomy is the best television show within the last 5 years because it has forged the way for future television shows to have a loyal, captive audience within the medical/romantic drama category. Previously, many shows that were produced before Grey's were not as successful or only fit the medical drama category. The medical drama category has always been filled with classics such as M*A*S*H, Emergency!, and Doogie Howser, M.D. Other shows that try to capture real life situations from places like the ER only offer dramatized situation portrayals in order to get views. Examples that common resort to these dramatized portrayals are shows like Untold Stories of the ER which leave out or remove details and add in untrue twists and turns. Grey's Anatomy has managed to capture the perfect balance between medical drama and romance with the realism of a hospital setting and not so frequent over the top reactions.

Grey's Anatomy is also the best recent television show because it has also encouraged many to become interested in the medical field and has portrayed the roles of lesser known medical professions rather than just Doctors and Nurses as it has gained popularity. The show has also help significance with medical students as it correctly discusses anatomical and medical procedures.

Grey's is the best show not only because of what it has done for the genre it's under but also because of the societal impact it has had on the way people view medical professions. Grey's Anatomy has popularized professions such as Nursing and Doctoral professions but has also allowed for a greater scope of practices to share the spot light. Professions such as Doctoral ones with emphasis on Pediatrics, Oncology, Plastic Surgery, Neurological surgeons, etc. have been show cased throughout the show. Not only that, but It has also highlighted the lesser known but very important professions of anesthesiologists, EMTs, Occupational Therapists and many more.

While it would be true that the health care field would have ultimately continued to grow without the creation of this show, it has be credited with helping to spring board this increased interest and has brought multiple professions into the spot light rather than just the generic "nurse" or "doctor" roles.