Student health policies of U.S. medical schools

Daniel J Diekema; Mark A Albanese; Peter Densen; Bradley N Doebbeling

doi:10.1097/00001888-199610000-00016

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Student health policies of U.S. medical schools

Journal article

Open access

Peer reviewed

Student health policies of U.S. medical schools

Daniel J Diekema, Mark A Albanese, Peter Densen and Bradley N Doebbeling

Academic medicine, Vol.71(10), pp.1090-1092

10/1996

DOI: 10.1097/00001888-199610000-00016

PMID: 9177643

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https://doi.org/10.1097/00001888-199610000-00016View

Published (Version of record) Open Access

Abstract

Medical students are at risk of exposure to bloodborne pathogens, yet few data are available about U.S. medical schools' policies to protect students. A cross-sectional survey of the student affairs deans at the 126 U.S. medical schools was conducted in May 1994. A confidential questionnaire inquired about policies regarding vaccination for hepatitis B virus (HBV), blood and body-fluid exposures, universal precautions training, and health and disability insurance for students. A total of 108 (86%) of the schools participated in the survey. Most (99, 92%) required either HBV vaccination, evidence of immunity, or a signed waiver refusing vaccination. Nearly all (94, 87%) required health insurance, and almost all (101, 94%) offered a plan (at a mean cost of $690 annually), but fewer schools (69, 64%) offered disability insurance. The schools frequently held students responsible for the costs of HBV vaccination (73, 68%), postexposure serologic testing (22, 20%), and treatment of training-related medical problems (43, 40%). Most medical schools comply with current recommendations for preventing training-related exposures to bloodborne pathogens, illness, and injury, but students face a substantial financial responsibility for these services at a time when many have large debts. Many schools do not have disability insurance readily available for students. Medical schools should review their student health policies to protect students adequately.

United States

Blood-Borne Pathogens

Student Health Services - statistics & numerical data

Cross-Sectional Studies

Humans

Surveys and Questionnaires

Organizational Policy

Schools, Medical

Disease Transmission, Infectious - prevention & control

Details

Title: Subtitle: Student health policies of U.S. medical schools
Creators: Daniel J Diekema - Maine Medical Center, Portland, USA
Mark A Albanese
Peter Densen
Bradley N Doebbeling
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Academic medicine, Vol.71(10), pp.1090-1092
Publisher: United States
DOI: 10.1097/00001888-199610000-00016
PMID: 9177643
ISSN: 1040-2446
eISSN: 1938-808X
Grant note: T32 AIO7374 / NIAID NIH HHS 1 KO1 OH00131-03 / NIOSH CDC HHS
Language: English
Date published: 10/1996
Academic Unit: Infectious Diseases; Pathology; Internal Medicine
Record Identifier: 9983986369102771

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