Immunizations/Physical Exams

becool5 · Jun 24, 2007

Hello Everyone,

I had a few questions about the physical exam:

Why do schools want the results of a complete physical exam?

I'm sure this varies by school, but what type of blood/urine results do they usually request?

What actions (if any) will they take against a student being admitted based on the contents of the exam?

Isn't it unlawful and considered discrimination to deny admission to a student based on a medical condition?

Who will see it?

How will our private medical data be handled? Since you are a student, will FERPA Laws protect you?

Is the exam required because of patient care or because you are a student (simliar to undergraduate institutions requiring physical exams)?

Thanks

DocBR · Jun 24, 2007

becool5 said:
Hello Everyone,

I had a few questions about the physical exam:

Why do schools want the results of a complete physical exam?

I'm sure this varies by school, but what type of blood/urine results do they usually request?

What actions (if any) will they take against a student being admitted based on the contents of the exam?

Isn't it unlawful and considered discrimination to deny admission to a student based on a medical condition?

Who will see it?

How will our private medical data be handled? Since you are a student, will FERPA Laws protect you?

Is the exam required because of patient care or because you are a student (simliar to undergraduate institutions requiring physical exams)?

Thanks

A lot of these have answers that are pretty straight forward.

You have a physical to ensure that your body/mind are up to the rigors of medical school (its also good for the school to know you have both hands, 2 eyes and 1 nose).

The blood test can be a normal blood panel checking for leukemia, anemia, liver health, etc. The urine may be a drug test.

Yes it is unlawful to discriminate based on a medical condition, provided that you are able to honestly meet the technical standards requirements of your school. If you have some severe, debilitating problem that will prevent you from doing well, that will keep you out.

As far as what actions are taken - if you fail to meet the requirements set forth in the technical standards or your doctor believes you are not fit for medical school, then it may keep you out. If a drug test shows up positive, you will probably be kicked out.

colbgw02 · Jun 24, 2007

DocBR said:
You have a physical to ensure that your body/mind are up to the rigors of medical school (its also good for the school to know you have both hands, 2 eyes and 1 nose).

^^That part's a joke, right?

I believe it's principally for insurance purposes. Most school's provide health insurance for their medical students. In fact, more than a few now require that you carry their chosen policy. It's not uncommon to have to have a baseline physical examination when getting new or changing health insurance.

Flopotomist · Oct 9, 2007

There are schools that require a physical???

Bacchus · Oct 9, 2007

Call me crazy, but it makes sense.

ADeadLois · Oct 9, 2007

Immunizations and titers are required for clinical rotations, and at places where you get clinical exposure right away.

curlywurly · Oct 9, 2007

Getting a physical really isn't that big of a deal. Making sure you're healthy enough for medical school is both a protection for you, and for your future patients.

nycNerd · Oct 10, 2007

estairella · Oct 10, 2007

nycNerd said:
A medical school can't kick me out because of this, right? I'm perfectly healthy.

Well, technically, no, you're not perfectly healthy, because that's not a healthy response to measles vaccine. 😉

Anyways, you probably fall into that 0.5% of the population who are seronegative even after a booster shot of measles. There is no harm in trying a third time (if you only ever had 1 shot as a child, and now you'll have 2 as an adult, I'm pretty sure it's still kosher).

However, as far as I know, you are required to have immunity for measles or possibly they'll have you fill out some kind of waiver that protects the hospital/school from lawsuits in case you happen to catch it. *knocks on wood*

nycNerd · Oct 10, 2007

estairella · Oct 10, 2007

nycNerd said:
ok, now I'm sort of freaking out about this. I've spent the last 3 years and 3,000 preparing for med school, and I might not be able to matriculate? Does anyone know how this works?

Whoa whoa, first of all, chill out!! There are thousands of medical school matriculants each year, this has probably happened to many people so there are very likely procedures in place at most medical schools to deal with it that don't involve kicking you out.

Here's a form from UT-Houston, they're pretty standardized I believe. Depending on the school, you either need only documentation that you've had these shots done before, or you need actual proof of adequate titer levels.

So obviously, the titer levels are the issue for you, but if the schools you're interested in (which you should investigate), only care about whether you've had the shot or not, then it may be a non-issue.

Having said that, it is still in your best interest to figure out why your titer levels are low. It really just sounds like a case of secondary vaccine failure (esp. if your titer levels to other diseases.. I guess mumps and rubella are the obvious choice... are fine). Medical schools (and most health-care environments) require you to have immunity for your sake as well, because you will much more likely be exposed to measles than the average person.

Ziggy08 · Oct 10, 2007

Does anyone know what the usual requirements for TB are? If you've tested positive for the PPD test but have a negative chest x ray and have taken the INH prophylaxis, how recent does your chest x ray have to be?

Immunizations/Physical Exams

becool5

Member

DocBR

MS-3

colbgw02

Delightfully Tacky

Flopotomist

I love the Chicago USPS

Bacchus

Full Member

ADeadLois

Senior Member

curlywurly

hair gel enthusiast

nycNerd

Full Member

estairella

Senior Member

nycNerd

Full Member

estairella

Senior Member

Ziggy08

Junior Member

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