What medical schools drug test?

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Gotmedical

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Does anyone know which medical schools drug test? I expect most do for rotations, but what about the preclinical years? Just curious, but I thought this could be useful information for some applicants.

So far, I'm aware of:

WUSTL (Saliva, Orientation)
Mt. Sinai (Urine, Pre Enrollment)




*This is not meant to be thread on the ethics/morals/w.e. of drugs/alcohol.
**I'll edit this as I get more confirmed schools.
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Lots of hospitals and clinics drug-test their employees, so if you want to work or volunteer there, you should lay off that wacky tobacky

Edit: Streampaw, you've done it again!!
 
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QuinnTheEskimo said:
Lots of hospitals and clinics drug-test their employees, so if you want to work or volunteer there, you should lay off that wacky tobacky

Edit: Streampaw, you've done it again!!
Click to expand...

Not Streampaw. And I mean this as a serious question. I could not find a concise list.
 
Here's the thing: In this day and age where drug testing is so prevalent for pre-employment screening, particularly in professions (such as medicine) where being intoxicated on duty puts others at risk, I have to seriously question your intellectual capacity to pursue this profession. And I'm only half concern trolling here.
 
QuinnTheEskimo said:
Sorry, but this is the dumbest post I've ever seen.
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That it's not relevant information for you doesn't mean that it won't be useful to others... Personally I would like to have the most complete picture of the schools I'm deciding between when making my choice.
 
Gotmedical said:
That it's not relevant information for you doesn't mean that it won't be useful to others... Personally I would like to have the most complete picture of the schools I'm deciding between when making my choice.
Click to expand...

I heard all the schools you were accepted to are rabid drug-testers.

Better withdraw your acceptances stat.
 
MedWonk said:
Here's the thing: In this day and age where drug testing is so prevalent for pre-employment screening, particularly in professions (such as medicine) where being intoxicated on duty puts others at risk, I have to seriously question your intellectual capacity to pursue this profession. And I'm only half concern trolling here.
Click to expand...

I really don't want to get into an ethical debate here. Being drunk on duty is just as bad is it not?
 
Gotmedical said:
I really don't want to get into an ethical debate here. Being drunk on duty is just as bad is it not?
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It is easy to test sobriety on the spot. It is next to impossible to test for "highness" off of many substances on the spot. Thus the zero tolerance policy for non alcohol/tobacco drugs exists.
 
I don't want somebody on drugs being my physician, no offense. Though I wonder how the University of Colorado will treat this subject since the state legalized pot? Probably the same as most schools.
 
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It would suck to get the boot for smoking some weed in the week(s) before orientation. On the other hand, the idea of creating a list is a little pointless. Just don't do drugs before matriculation and plan on kicking that habit before starting a lifetime of drug testing.

Do you really want people feeling safe about doing drugs before medical school because their school wasn't on your list? Do you plan to keep this list up to date?
 
eb2143 said:
It would suck to get the boot for smoking some weed in the week(s) before orientation. On the other hand, the idea of creating a list is a little pointless. Just don't do drugs before matriculation and plan on kicking that habit before starting a lifetime of drug testing.

Do you really want people feeling safe about doing drugs before medical school because their school wasn't on your list? Do you plan to keep this list up to date?
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I think the bigger question is why would you give up your career over a plant.
 
Gotmedical said:
Not Streampaw. And I mean this as a serious question. I could not find a concise list.
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who's this streampaw i keep hearing about?

second, can you get kicked out of medical school for failing a drug test?

Either way, OP ask yourself
Life Sucks said:
I think the bigger question is why would you give up your career over a plant.
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Don't do drugs m'kay?
 
Streampaw is a legend. The best troll SDN has ever seen.

chillinillinkillin007 said:
who's this streampaw i keep hearing about?

second, can you get kicked out of medical school for failing a drug test?

Either way, OP ask yourself


Don't do drugs m'kay?
Click to expand...
 
chillinillinkillin007 said:
elaborate, good sir
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Trolling isn't an art anymore. To be a good troll, one doesn't have to be so obvious. Then again I hope he is trolling, because if he's really serious, he's an idiot to think most school and jobs won't drug test you.
 
MedWonk said:
Here's the thing: In this day and age where drug testing is so prevalent for pre-employment screening, particularly in professions (such as medicine) where being intoxicated on duty puts others at risk, I have to seriously question your intellectual capacity to pursue this profession. And I'm only half concern trolling here.
Click to expand...
+1 Enough said.
 
Life Sucks said:
Trolling isn't an art anymore. To be a good troll, one doesn't have to be so obvious. Then again I hope he is trolling, because if he's really serious, he's an idiot to think most school and jobs won't drug test you.
Click to expand...

it seems that this streampaw is a legend. i need details
 
My school doesn't test at all. I've done rotations doing HPIs at various clinics, and they didn't test either. My understanding is some hospital rotations in 3rd year do requiring testing, but that's it.
 
Gotmedical said:
I really don't want to get into an ethical debate here. Being drunk on duty is just as bad is it not?
Click to expand...

Intoxication doesn't just refer to being drunk on duty. It means being under the influence of any substance, and in particular a substance with the high potential to interfere with that person performing their duties in a safe manner. As far as getting into an ethical debate is concerned, we'd probably agree more than disagree re: use of marijuana. I'd like to believe most/all of us aren't stupid enough to get blazed just before going into the hospital, just as most/all of us aren't stupid enough to down a few gin and tonics beforehand.

But that wasn't the point of my post. My point was that given how common drug testing is, you'd have to be ***** to not realize you shouldn't be getting high 3 to 6 months out. If you find that you lack the impulse control to not smoke up for that amount of time, then you have a problem that requires professional help and shouldn't even be partaking in this drug.
 
There seems to be a lot of moral high ground individuals here.

I'm guessing you already have a list of schools right? Usually those schools will have info under their accepted information tab that may detail what tests they do (whether it's a background check, physical or etc.)

If I cared more I'd keep a note on all the users on here who seem to be allergic to bringing up marijuana in a conversation and see their attitude towards the drug in the next couple of years. I don't think anyone condones doing any type of drug before meeting a patient or interacting with others, but if people still think marijuana is on the same level as meth and cocaine then I'm more worried about that person's inability to think for themselves.
 
DoktorO said:
It is easy to test sobriety on the spot. It is next to impossible to test for "highness" off of many substances on the spot. Thus the zero tolerance policy for non alcohol/tobacco drugs exists.
Click to expand...
That's not true, the technology just does not exist. There is a dramatic time dependent [concentration] drop in the blood for the THC metabolites. Test the blood at three distinct points in time and measure the slope. The literature is actually out there to determine what the slope indicates in terms of "highness".
 
sinombre said:
Dude, I'm pretty sure all medical schools have pharmacology tests. It's kind of an important subject.
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Every time I read one of your posts I hear it in Bubble's voice and it totally jacks me up. How can I take anything you write seriously? Go get more shopping carts you adorable freak!
 
If you are even considering the factor "does this school drug test or not" to help decide where to apply, you have a problem
 
If you smoke in medical school you're an idiot. There is no point of risking your career for a little weed. Working in and out of hospital settings starting in MS-1 you may or may not be subject to drug tests etc. This is true for summer research, away rotations etc. Honestly, I think if you smoke weed as a professional you're an idiot because you are constantly putting yourself at risk. Pretty much every job, internship, and volunteering opportunity medical or not drug tests so its not even worth it.
 
If you're 100% sure you won't get tested then do what you have to do, but honestly 99% of us are not sure, especially with early clinical exposure becoming the norm
 
I'm in Vet school so I can't say for medical schools but none of the professional schools I applied to or researched required a drug test. Wherever you end up doing clinicals and rotations is a different story as it is obviously up to their individual preference. I can say that I know a lot of excellent professionals, in both the veterinary and medical fields, that recreationally use marijuana and has no effect on their work. I would certainly not partake before work just as I would not drink before work as I care about the patients and the profession, but I assumed that was just common sense. I see no issue with responsibly smoking or drinking. (I know this was not the original reason for this post but I just thought I would throw in my two cents). Just out of sheer curiosity what are some of your opinions on medical marijuana? Again, not a judgement just a purely curious question since it is becoming increasingly more popular around the country and legal in more and more states.
 
I haven't seen anyone ask this, and I don't know if you have written it above, so if you have already answered this question my apologies...but...Why does it matter to you which medical schools do/don't drug test?
 
baconshrimps said:
I haven't seen anyone ask this, and I don't know if you have written it above, so if you have already answered this question my apologies...but...Why does it matter to you which medical schools do/don't drug test?
Click to expand...

A couple of options:
1. Person does drugs that would test positive and still wants to continue to do them in medical school
2. Person tried out a drug and is worried they'll test positive (won't do it in med school)
3. Wants to see some pedantic debating on SDN
 
Anathema said:
A couple of options:
1. Person does drugs that would test positive and still wants to continue to do them in medical school
2. Person tried out a drug and is worried they'll test positive (won't do it in med school)
3. Wants to see some pedantic debating on SDN
Click to expand...

Hehe, I was asking more rhetorically, to point out that for an upstanding citizen, this should not be a point of concern.
 
baconshrimps said:
Hehe, I was asking more rhetorically, to point out that for an upstanding citizen, this should not be a point of concern.
Click to expand...
This assumes that the true definition of an "upstanding" citizen includes that one doesn't smoke marijuana. Unfortunately, I don't think thats the case. It's amazing how smoking a freaking plant with no research proving any long term deleterious effects to the individual or those around them is so morally wrong amongst so many of you on here.
 
slopes23 said:
This assumes that the true definition of an "upstanding" citizen includes that one doesn't smoke marijuana. Unfortunately, I don't think thats the case. It's amazing how smoking a freaking plant with no research proving any long term deleterious effects to the individual or those around them is so morally wrong amongst so many of you on here.
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Oh, okay. So when my little sister was hit by a car because some loser was driving stoned out of their mind - that wasn't a deleterious effect?
Please don't post on the forums if you aren't going to post something constructive.
 
baconshrimps said:
Oh, okay. So when my little sister was hit by a car because some loser was driving stoned out of their mind - that wasn't a deleterious effect?
Please don't post on the forums if you aren't going to post something constructive.
Click to expand...

Being high and driving obviously isn't a good idea and neither is drinking while driving, but I'm going to take a wild guess and say YOU HAVE indulged in alcohol. Sorry for your sister, but don't try to misconstrue your anecdotal evidence.
 
Anathema said:
Being high and driving obviously isn't a good idea and neither is drinking while driving, but I'm going to take a wild guess and say YOU HAVE indulged in alcohol. Sorry for your sister, but don't try to misconstrue your anecdotal evidence.
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The point wasn't to misconstrue, nor was it to distinguish marijuana from alcohol. The point was to say that it is inaccurate to claim that the ill-consequences of marijuana use are limited to the person that is using. Also, I don't drink.
 
baconshrimps said:
The point wasn't to misconstrue, nor was it to distinguish marijuana from alcohol. The point was to say that it is inaccurate to claim that the ill-consequences of marijuana use are limited to the person that is using. Also, I don't drink.
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We all know different type of drugs affect us in different ways so there's no argument there. There are ways to be responsible and irresponsible with drugs whether it is alcohol or any other type of substance. Your original point was an attempt to put down marijuana or other drug users and you tried to use the "upstanding citizen" viewpoint.

You don't carry a gun while under the influence. You don't go to a board meeting while under the influence. You don't go swimming while under the influence. BUT. You can carry a gun, go to a board meeting and swimming while separating yourself from drug use.
 
Anathema said:
We all know different type of drugs affect us in different ways so there's no argument there. There are ways to be responsible and irresponsible with drugs whether it is alcohol or any other type of substance. Your original point was an attempt to put down marijuana or other drug users and you tried to use the "upstanding citizen" viewpoint.

You don't carry a gun while under the influence. You don't go to a board meeting while under the influence. You don't go swimming while under the influence. BUT. You can carry a gun, go to a board meeting and swimming while separating yourself from drug use.
Click to expand...

I don't think I was attempting. I'm pretty certain I DID put down drug abusers. I grew up in the hood - I've seen drug use at its absolute worst. Thankfully, I avoided it. You will not convince me (or most for that matter) that drug abuse is an acceptable behavior, especially amongst physicians and those who aspire to be physicians. Also, the "sacrifice" of not using drugs is not something significant legislation will change amongs medical school administrations and residency program directors - so it's best for people to learn how to play and follow the rules accordingly. OP, you should just contact the medical schools you are interested in attending, ask to speak to the deans/directors of admissions, and ask what drugs you may/may not use as a student in their program.

"You don't carry a gun while under the influence. You don't go to a board meeting while under the influence. You don't go swimming while under the influence. BUT. You can carry a gun, go to a board meeting and swimming while separating yourself from drug use."

This. Once people are "under the influence", they are precisely that - under the influence. Judgement is clouded.
"Aw man, I've got the munchies like a mutha****. Yo lets hit up the burger king and grab some WHOPPERS son."
...."Does BK deliver? Nahhhh"
"Ite, I'll drive - but I'll be real careful."
....oops.
 
baconshrimps said:
I don't think I was attempting. I'm pretty certain I DID put down drug abusers. I grew up in the hood - I've seen drug use at its absolute worst. Thankfully, I avoided it. You will not convince me (or most for that matter) that drug abuse is an acceptable behavior, especially amongst physicians and those who aspire to be physicians. Also, the "sacrifice" of not using drugs is not something significant legislation will change amongs medical school administrations and residency program directors - so it's best for people to learn how to play and follow the rules accordingly. OP, you should just contact the medical schools you are interested in attending, ask to speak to the deans/directors of admissions, and ask what drugs you may/may not use as a student in their program.

"You don't carry a gun while under the influence. You don't go to a board meeting while under the influence. You don't go swimming while under the influence. BUT. You can carry a gun, go to a board meeting and swimming while separating yourself from drug use."

This. Once people are "under the influence", they are precisely that - under the influence. Judgement is clouded.
"Aw man, I've got the munchies like a mutha****. Yo lets hit up the burger king and grab some WHOPPERS son."
...."Does BK deliver? Nahhhh"
"Ite, I'll drive - but I'll be real careful."
....oops.
Click to expand...

I think you're pretty delusional if you don't expect your peers to be indulging in some form of drug (whether it be adderall, alcohol or marijuna). You can either play the moral crusader or you can ensure steps are taken so there isn't collateral damage. I don't think alcohol or marijuana by themselves are bad and that's my standpoint. I don't think individuals should be under the influence while around patients or colleagues either. It's not really in my interested to waste too much time trying to fight "outstanding citizens."
 
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