And if so, do they have to take more than just the main 5, or are they treated differently because of their position in society?
2007-09-12 16:41:19 · 11 answers · asked by Sharon 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Medicine
NO, and that has always amazed me! Through med school and my entire medical career there was no standard requirement for drug testing. Nurses have random testing but not doctors. There have been many physicians who have become addicts. The drugs are easily available in pharmaceutical quality. I was astounded by the results of an anonymous questionnaire we were given in med school during the early 1970s asking about drug use. A full 80% of med students at the prestigious school I attended admitted to using illegal drugs at some time or another. There was honesty only because it was anonymous. Still, with those results in their possession, no drug testing was ever requested of us. This must be due to the strong medical lobby. I'm a retired physician now, but even while I was in practice I thought every doctor should have routine random drug screens. Maybe they do now at some institutions since I have been out for a few years, but the medical student above says they still are not being tested. Perhaps the public at large should protest this since many other people in less sensitive jobs have to be tested. Doctors are NOT immune to addiction. Indeed with the stresses of medical practice
physicians may be more susceptible. (I am speaking about the USA.)
2007-09-12 17:44:57 · answer #1 · answered by Spreedog 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, of course! They go through very rigerous drug testing because medical carrers require critical decision making that should be done only with a sober mind. A drug addict would approch a clinic stock shelf like a kid in a candy store. All the medicine stolen would cost the patients lives. In fact there was an incident happened in britain were a patient was supposed to recieve temazipam for some treatment in the hospital but the doctor switched the temazipam IV solution and replaced it with saline water and used the temazipam for himself. The patient got seriously ill and filed a $3,000,000 (worth in pounds) law suit. Many other similer incidents similer to that have happened in the US and cost the jobs of good doctors from high malpractice insurence rates. Although I am against drug testing in most cases (like for office jobs or store clerks were drugs pose no danger), but a clinical field is deffinatly an exception. If they don't drug test doctors, then they should start doing it. Also doctors should be good role modles for their patients too so they can encourage healthy habits.
2007-09-12 23:49:07 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
In over a quarter century I never have, and there are very few places that seem to require routine or random testing. It isn't at all uncommon, though, to have doctors tested for cause (on suspicion), and when that happens, there's usually a pretty extensive panel done. In large part, this is not reflective of their status in society so much as their status in practice relationships. They usually aren't employees, so they don't have an employer to require the things.
2007-09-13 00:58:32 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Not usually. It depends on where you work and their requirements but I have never really heard of it. BUT......they can give you a drug test if they have a proper case for suspicion. Even then it isn't all that easy legally. Dr's abide to a strict code of ethics that should keep them straight if they follow them properly.
2007-09-13 06:22:35 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I never have.
I know of some physicians who had to take random drug tests to comply with licensing regulations after being caught abusing drugs. That's one beeper you don't want to carry!
As part of our re-licensing, we have to sign statements that we don't abuse drugs, so if you ARE using and get caught, they also get you on lying on your application, and can pull your license for that.
2007-09-13 15:28:01 · answer #5 · answered by Pangolin 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
hmmm, as far as im concerned..i dont remember any mandatory drug exams for those in the medical field..aside from the basics (such as blood test,vaccinations)
this all based from experience since i'm from the medical field (MD)
2007-09-12 23:48:56 · answer #6 · answered by fairlady 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No, well at least I didn't. We had to have a criminal background check and a physical exam as well as labs to confirm immunities from vaccinations and a TB test.
2007-09-12 23:56:10 · answer #7 · answered by Troy 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Pharmacists take drug tests.
2007-09-12 23:45:40 · answer #8 · answered by Big Brother 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
usually you will see background checks and tests to get hired, get raises, for on the job injury, etc...
cheers!
2007-09-12 23:46:19 · answer #9 · answered by michael 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, of course, they need to be healthy,
2007-09-12 23:46:22 · answer #10 · answered by monalyn t 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋