Do medical schools look at your medical record?

[jcruiser]

There are threads about this exact topic but they are a bit dated ('05/'06/'08) so I want to make sure I'm up to speed.

Anyways, two questions.

Do medical schools look at your medical record at any given point? While applying? During school? Residencies?

Some medical schools require drug tests prior to matriculation and say that if you're tested positive for anything your admission will be revoked immediately. What drugs are they testing for and -- if they don't have access to your medical record -- how will you be able to defend your case once you're revoked?

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[the duck]

They are testing for illegal drugs. They don't have access to medical records. If what your asking is basically about medical marijuana, just quit for a while.

 

[Catalystik]

Your personal medical records will never be accessed unless you provide them, nor will med schools or residencies know about your medical issues unless you reveal them. During state licensure you will be asked about medical and psychological problems that might have an effect on your ability to carry out your duties.

Random drug tests are increasingly a way of life, but you are given the opportunity to list any medication you're taking prior to the test. I've read that drug residue may remain in your hair for three months. You can easily google to see a list of drugs that are tested for and legit meds that may cross-react.

 

[xanthomondo]

I've been on residency interviews that test you for nicotine and will rescind your match acceptance if you are positive. Never heard of a medical school doing it, though.

 

[dmf2682]

I've been on residency interviews that test you for nicotine and will rescind your match acceptance if you are positive. Never heard of a medical school doing it, though.

Wow that's interesting and kind of scary. Guess I'll have to quit smoking at some point during med school.

 

[writingmedicine]

Wow that's interesting and kind of scary. Guess I'll have to quit smoking at some point during med school.

At the very least, do it for the sake of your future fellow medical professionals, who practice what they preach. Nothing better than receiving lifestyle advice from the overweight/alcoholic/smoker physician.

 

[mishaS]

They don't ask for your medical records, however you do have to get a doctor to sign off that you will be physically able to fill the basic medical school requirements. My doc for instance threw on the fact that I have ADHD. My school asked for this well after the acceptance, and I imagine that only very major health problems would prevent you from getting in. As far as drug tests go, I've heard of them being done in medical school, but I also heard that people who fail the THC test were given a slap on the wrists. I don't think this will follow in residency/work though.

 

[Ebola4Breakfast]

They don't ask for your medical records, however you do have to get a doctor to sign off that you will be physically able to fill the basic medical school requirements. My doc for instance threw on the fact that I have ADHD. My school asked for this well after the acceptance, and I imagine that only very major health problems would prevent you from getting in. As far as drug tests go, I've heard of them being done in medical school, but I also heard that people who fail the THC test were given a slap on the wrists. I don't think this will follow in residency/work though.

I have a questions that's a little off topic: When you disclose health information to medical schools, are schools required to make accommodations (if those accommodations are reasonable)? I know there is the Americans with Disabilities Act, but I've heard rumors that it can be largely ignored at times.

 

[r1d1]

I think USUHS is the only one. I heard somebody did not pass its screening because of depression.
It used to discriminate LGBT individuals, too. Not sure if it is still the case.

 

[mishaS]

I have a questions that's a little off topic: When you disclose health information to medical schools, are schools required to make accommodations (if those accommodations are reasonable)? I know there is the Americans with Disabilities Act, but I've heard rumors that it can be largely ignored at times.

I'm guessing you answered your own question. I remember in the orientation week special accommodations being mentioned, however I have no idea what one would have to do to get them. My ADHD isn't severe, and adderall is enough to keep it under control.

I think USUHS is the only one. I heard somebody did not pass its screening because of depression.
It used to discriminate LGBT individuals, too. Not sure if it is still the case.

Depression seems like a touchy issue. On one hand there is a much greater chance of the student failing, and the stress of medical school could make it worse, however rescinding an acceptance probably wouldn't do much to help said student (I suppose the ideal would be to hold a spot for them among the next years matriculants if their depression is managed). At my school, I don't think they'd do this post acceptance, and they did go into lengths telling us to watch out for depression among our classmates, and for us to speak to our counselor (where discussions are legally confidential, and not accessible to the medical school).

In any case, I didn't have to disclose to the primary care doc any mental issues, so if it should come to this, you should at least be able to avoid psychiatric medical records being sent if you don't mention that you're seeing a psychiatrist.

 

[r1d1]

Let me pull out a random school's technical standards. I won't be surprised if the school cites one of the items to reject a disabled applicant.

1. Observation: The candidate must be able to observe required demonstrations and experiments in the basic sciences, including but not limited to anatomic dissection, microscopic studies, and patient demonstrations. A candidate must be able to observe a patient accurately at a distance and close at hand. Observation necessitates the functional use of the sense of vision, hearing, and somatic sensation.
2. Communication: A candidate must be able to speak, to hear, and to observe patients in order to elicit information, describe changes in mood, activity, and posture, and perceive nonverbal communication. A candidate must be able to communicate effectively and sensitively with patients. Communication includes not only speech, but also reading and writing in English. The candidate must be able to communicate effectively and efficiently in oral and written form with all members of the health care team.
3. Motor: A candidate must have sufficient motor function to carry out the basic laboratory techniques and to elicit information from patients by palpation, auscultation, percussion, and other diagnostic maneuvers, perform a dissection of a human cadaver, and have sufficient motor ability to use a microscope. A candidate should be able to perform a complete physical examination (including pelvic examination); diagnostic procedures (e.g., venipuncture and basic laboratory tests (e.g., urinalysis)) A candidate must be able to execute motor movements reasonably required to provide general care and emergency treatment to patients. Examples of treatment reasonably required of physicians are cardiopulmonary resuscitation, the administration of intravenous medication, the application of pressure to stop bleeding, the suturing of simple wounds, assisting in surgical operations, and the performance of simple, general obstetrical and gynecological procedures. Such actions require coordination of both gross and fine muscular movements, equilibrium and functional use of the senses of touch, vision, and hearing.
4. Intellectual- (Conceptual Integrative and Quantitative Abilities): Problem solving, the critical skill demanded of physicians, requires that a candidate be able to learn, retrieve, analyze, sequence, organize, synthesize and integrate information efficiently, and reason effectively. In addition a candidate should possess the ability to measure and calculate accurately, to perceive three-dimensional relationships and to understand the spatial relationships of structures.
5. Behavioral and Social Attributes: A candidate must possess the emotional health required for full utilization of his intellectual abilities, the exercise of good judgment, the prompt completion of all responsibilities attendant to the diagnosis and care of patients, and the development of mature, sensitive and effective relationships with patients and their family members, staff, and colleagues. Each candidate must be able to work effectively as a member of a health-care team. Candidates must be able to tolerate physically taxing workloads and to function effectively under stress. They must be able to adapt to changing environments, to display flexibility and to learn to function in the face of uncertainties inherent in the clinical problems of many patients. Compassion, integrity, concern for others, interpersonal skills, collegiality, interest, and motivation are all personal qualities that are assessed during the admission and education processes."

 

[jcruiser]

Thanks for the replies everyone. 🙂

They are testing for illegal drugs. They don't have access to medical records. If what your asking is basically about medical marijuana, just quit for a while.

No, not medical marijuana. It's adderall.