Assessment of Alcohol and Other Drug Use Behaviors in Health Professions Students

Abstract

Alcohol and other drug (AOD) use behaviors of health professions students (HPS) were assessed by surveying both university-based HPS and other nursing programs in a Midwestern state in 1999. Response was 2,646 (56.4%) of surveyed students. Family history of alcohol-related and drug-related problems were reported by 39.8% and 13.9%, respectively, with 42.6% of respondents reporting one or both. Among nursing respondents, 48.1%, 19.2% and 51.1%, respectively, reported family problems with alcohol, drugs, or one or both. Past-year alcohol use was comparable to undergraduate college students (UCS) nationally (83%); heavy drinking, tobacco and recreational drug use by HPS were lower. Past year drug use was highest among medical students. Marijuana was the predominant illicit drug; medical students and males most often reported use. Health professions educational systems should proactively address student AOD prevention, education and assistance needs.

Alcohol Use Behaviors Among Pharmacy Students

“…Topics to be discussed in the alcohol educational programs should include, but are not limited to, drinking norms among pharmacy students, alcohol abuse among healthcare professionals, and consequences of binge drinking. 9,[20][21][22] Programs that offer information tailored to an individual student are more effective than general educational seminars and programs. 23,24 Strategies for delivering alcohol education have been identified and garnered empirical support when used with college students.…”

“…5,9 Because drinking motives have not been primary study objectives or assessed with validated measures, additional research examining drinking motives is still needed. Studies in other student populations have yielded promising data to inform prevention and intervention efforts.…”

A cross-sectional study of drinking patterns, prelicensure nursing education, and professional identity formation

“…Specifically, alcohol and other drug abuse often begins during undergraduate education (Baldwin, Barteck, Scott, Davis-Hall, & DeSimone, 2009;Chaname, Cunningham, Brands, Strike, & Miotto Wright, 2009). Though alcohol use among nursing students has been found to be comparable to other undergraduate college students, it is of concern that perhaps four percent of nursing students engage in patient care while under the influence (Baldwin et al, 2006;. Some pre-licensure educational programs have been found to increase knowledge and the confidence to address substance abuse, but nursing students frequently perceive their education on this topic as being inadequate (Baldwin et al, 2009;Rassool, & Rawaf, 2008).…”

Attitudes of Matriculating First-Year Pharmacy Students Toward a Mandatory, Random Drug-Screening Program

“…[1][2][3] Unfortunately, the extensive knowledge that pharmacy students possess about addicting substances does not confer protection against use of these agents. 4 Published studies concerning the extent of alcohol and drug use among pharmacy students have accumulated over the years, [5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12] revealing some disturbing findings. McAuliffe and colleagues discovered that about two-thirds of pharmacy students had used a controlled substance without a prescription at some point in their lives, while approximately 40% had done so within the past year.…”

“…11 Even more concerning are findings that pharmacy students exhibited troubling behaviors as a consequence of alcohol and drug use, such as going to class or work under the influence, providing patient care while under the influence, missing class or work, and stealing drugs from an employer or practice site. 7,8,10 In part because of such concerns, many experiential training sites, including community pharmacies, hospitals, and other health-system settings, have started to require drug testing for pharmacy students. The response of colleges and schools of pharmacy to this requirement has been quite varied.…”