Giving programs health information

[Josh37]

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I'm a little uncomfortable giving programs health information, one requested a full H&P basically with extensive eye exam. Is this fair for them to ask? What type of privacy do our applications get?

Its not that I have anything to hide, but if I had cancer or a hysterectomy or even diabetes I might not want to tell my future employers when I apply, as part of the application. I may not want a whole bunch of faculty knowing this. And it concerns me what privacy/protection my records would be given.

Thoughts?

 

[DiveMD]

I agree 100% with your concern. But at this junction of the process you should ask yourself one question. What is more important at the moment: matching in ophthalmology or protecting your medical privacy? Tough predicament ….Good luck.

 

[fatman41]

I believe this involves determining if you can fulfill the responsibilities and technicial duties required with ophthalmology. Better for them to exclude you now than 2yrs into your residency.

 

[speyeder]

Asking for a thorough eye exam does not seem unreasonable to me. Having binocular vision correctable to at least 20/30 and adequate depth perception are important attributes for an ophthalmologist to have. Remember, ophthalmology is microsurgery. You need to have good vision in order to correct someone else's vision.

As far as a full physical exam goes, I don't know how I feel about this. I didn't apply to any programs that required this.

 

[stepBYstep]

I know that this question is not directly related to the initial thread, but I am posting this question because its related.

Are we supposed to proactively send the eye exams to programs that require them(e.g. if they have a history of asking for it or its on the website) ? Or should we just wait for the program to ask us for it ?

I know UT-San Antonio and U. Kentucky asked for it, but would any be able to tell me of more programs that need it ? Thanks!!

Some more programs:
Texas Tech - Lubbock
Ohio State University Hospital Program
Palmetto Health/University of South Carolina - at interview
Louisiana State University/Alton Ochsner Medical Foundation - when accepted

 

[phillme]

Programs that I have encountered required eye exams:
UAB
U of Florida
U of Kentucky

 

[Nebolt]

Did OSU and UAB contact you regarding the eye exam? I didn't find anything on their websites indicating that one was needed.

 

[phillme]

UAB sends a form with the interview offer for an ophthalmologist to complete.

 

[azzarah]

I agree with you 100%. I think it's tacky to require that as part of the initial application....Whatever happened to HIPPA? Give me a break! An eye exam is okay but imagine all these attendings reading your complete social history as part of the H&P!

 

[mrhdream]

Norhtwestern U requires an Va exam w/ stereoscopic vision for interviewees.
peace

 

[Wolverine98]

I agree with you 100%. I think it's tacky to require that as part of the initial application....Whatever happened to HIPPA?

That's not applicable since you, as the patient, are "voluntarily" giving your information to the interested party. You don't have to give that information. Of course, if you don't, then your application is not complete, so you likely won't get considered, but you're not forced to send it. If it's that big a deal, cross them off your list and go somewhere else.
This is a field that requires good vision and, for the most part, good stereopsis. A lack of those would be a problem both for a resident and for patients, so having an eye exam is not unreasonable. I'm actually surprised that more programs don't do it.

Dave

 

[azzarah]

That's not applicable since you, as the patient, are "voluntarily" giving your information to the interested party. You don't have to give that information. Of course, if you don't, then your application is not complete, so you likely won't get considered, but you're not forced to send it. If it's that big a deal, cross them off your list and go somewhere else.
This is a field that requires good vision and, for the most part, good stereopsis. A lack of those would be a problem both for a resident and for patients, so having an eye exam is not unreasonable. I'm actually surprised that more programs don't do it.

Dave

I did say in my original post that an eye exam was reasonable, but asking for a full H&P as part of the initial application is inappropriate.