Drug Testing Incoming Residents and Medical Students in Family Medicine Training: A Survey of Program Policies and Practices.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Despite well-established negative consequences, high rates of substance use and related disorders continue to be reported. Physicians in training are not immune from this, or the associated risks to their health and careers, while impaired physicians are a threat to patient safety.

Objective

We surveyed family medicine residency programs' practices relating to drug testing of medical students and incoming residents. The survey asked about the extent to which residency programs are confronted with trainees testing positive for prohibited substances, and how they respond.

Methods

The survey was sent to the directors of family medicine residency programs. A total of 205 directors (47.2%) completed the survey.

Results

A majority of the responding program

SUBMITTER: Bell PF 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4507929 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature