Abstract
Objective
This study sought to examine how specific substance-use behavior, including nonmedical prescription stimulant (NPS) use, among U.S. medical students correlates with their attitudes and beliefs toward professionalism.
Methods
A group of 74 students from Weill Cornell Medical College-New York and 32 from Weill Cornell Medical College-Qatar completed pre- and post-clerkship questionnaires assessing their attitudes toward psychiatry.
Results
An anonymous survey was distributed to all medical students at a private medical university (46% response rate). Participants were asked to report alcohol and marijuana use patterns, NPS use, stress levels, and history of suicidal ideation. Results: Over one-third of medical students reported excessive drinking during the past month, and 5% reported NPS use during the past year. Students who endorsed such behavior were significantly less likely to view it as unprofessional and warranting intervention. A large number of students seemed unfamiliar with how to help a classmate with an NPS use problem.
Conclusions
Medical students’ substance use behaviors appear to influence attitudes and beliefs toward professional issues regarding substance use.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Shah AA, Bazargan-Hejazi S, Lindstrom RW, et al: Prevalence of at-risk drinking among a national sample of medical students. Subst Abus 2009; 30:141–149
Frank E, Elon L, Naimi T, et al: Alcohol consumption and alcohol counselling behaviour among U.S. medical students: cohort study. BMJ 2008; 337:a2155
Baldwin DC Jr, Hughes PH, Conard SE, et al: Substance use among senior medical students. A survey of 23 medical schools. JAMA 1991; 265:2074–2078
Papadakis MA, Hodgson CS, Teherani A, et al: Unprofessional behavior in medical school is associated with subsequent disciplinary action by a state medical board. Acad Med 2004; 79:244–249
Aristeiguieta CA: Substance abuse, mental illness, and medical students: the role of the Americans with Disabilities Act. JAMA 1998; 279:80
Frank E, Carrera JS, Elon L, et al: Basic demographics, health practices, and health status of U.S. medical students. Am J Prev Med 2006; 31:499–505
McCabe SE, Knight JR, Teter CJ, et al: Non-medical use of prescription stimulants among U.S. college students: prevalence and correlates from a national survey. Addiction 2005; 100:96–106
Teter CJ, McCabe SE, LaGrange K, et al: Illicit use of specific prescription stimulants among college students: prevalence, motives, and routes of administration. Pharmacotherapy 2006; 26:1501–1510
Tuttle JP, Scheurich NE, Ranseen J: Prevalence of ADHD diagnosis and nonmedical prescription stimulant use in medical students. Acad Psychiatry 2010; 34:220–223
Dyrbye LN, Thomas MR, Massie FS, et al: Burnout and suicidal ideation among U.S. medical students. Ann Intern Med 2008; 149:334–341
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Choi, D., Tolova, V., Socha, E. et al. Substance Use and Attitudes on Professional Conduct Among Medical Students: A Single-Institution Study. Acad Psychiatry 37, 191–195 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ap.12060126
Received:
Revised:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ap.12060126