Medical info sheet

[sb_MD]

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In my packet of residency information that included my contract, there was a medical information sheet that we have to fill out. Part of it was the typical immunization stuff that you would expect, but the other part asked about medical history stuff that I feel is kind of personal. Like they want to know if you take any medications and then they want you to list them. I feel that this is none of their business and any medical condition that I may or may not have is private and I should not be forced to tell anyone. I was just wondering how other people felt about this......

 

[GeneGoddess]

I got something like that, too. CAGE alcohol questions, drug used, etc. It didn't ask about prescriptions, though. It's hard to say how I feel, because none of the prescriptions I take are controversial (except maybe OCPs, but I'm married).

 

[southerndoc]

This information is most likely is being sent to your employee health office.

 

[sb_MD]

it is being sent to the employee health office. My question is: why do they need to know this information? If it is just medical prescriptions, not substances or anything.... WHY?? I am just really bothered by this. I like my privacy. I feel like my employer does not need to know these things.

 

[southerndoc]

Some employee health office's do more than others. A lot of times they want to know this info because they will be administering your physicals, vaccinations, etc. However, I'm not aware of any medicine-vaccination reactions, but I'm sure some exist. I don't think they've used my information at all.

What you can do is contact your PD and asking if you can bring the information directly to the employee health office. That will at least keep your PD from knowing your health problems.

Are you at UConn or Yale?

 

[docB]

I can tell you guys that every hospital priveledge app and re app that I fill out asks if I have any conditions that could affect my ability to practice and ask if I use drugs or drink to excess. One asked for a list of conditions for which I might be under treatment and what meds I take. Hospitals view it as a liability thing. They feel that if they allow you to work there and you turn out to be drunk or have seizures or whatever they might be liable. If they ask and you deny then the liability is on you. I'm not saying it's right. I'm just saying that it's the way that it is.

 

[Winged Scapula]

Beyond the work liability issues, think about sharing the information with your employee health office as a matter of YOUR safety.

Consider the situation if you became seriously ill at work and were unable to provide your medical history. In addition, many young people and residents do not have a PCP. With access to your medical history in the employee health office, your caregivers/ED physicians would be better able to diagnose and care for you.

Frankly, I don't care if a co-worker takes Lithium, other psychoactive drugs or a Beta Blocker as long as it takes care of the problem. But I would want someone to know abotu these medications and conditions, in the unfortunate event that you become unable to speka for yourself in a medical emergency.

 

[DunkinDOnut]

Hmmm...What about Hipaa? I would think you could refuse to disclose some of the more sensitive information on grounds similar to hipaa reasoning.

If you're taking Lipitor that's not so bad, but I would be hesitant to tell them you're on Haloperidol.

 

[Gimlet]

Welcome to the working world, folks. People in all sorts of fields have to relinquish this type of information to their employers...most likely it's just a company policy just like any other corporation, and has nothing to do with how good a doctor they think you will be if you are on certain meds. It's nothing special.