The television series "Ben Casey" aired from 1961 to 1966, approximately the same time as its rival medical-themed program "Dr. Kildare." While the latter was based on a series of novels and movies that preceded it, "Ben Casey" was unique, though it inspired both comic strips and novelettes during its run. Like so many other popular television series, it led to a board game with a medical theme, very similar to a game inspired by "Dr. Kildare."