title: Training and proficiency in the medical review of job applicant drug screens.
abstract: A survey was performed to examine the proficiency of urine drug screen medical review officers (MROs) and the effect of training upon their performance. One hundred thirty-nine attendees of the ACOEM basic MRO training course, and 82 attendees of the advanced course completed both pre- and postcourse surveys. The questionnaires included 10 vignettes with positive analytical results; of which only half should be reported as positive to management. The mean number of correct responses among the 10 cases presented were: basic pre-test--4.91; basic post-test--7.45; advanced pre-test--6.68; advanced post-test--7.33. Differences between all four groups were significant (P < .001 to P = .003), except for the basic post-test versus the advanced post-test, for which there was no significant difference. It is concluded that 1) inadequate knowledge and skill in the medical review of drug screens may contribute to errors in reports to management, 2) physician's performance can be improved with training, and 3) certification of MROs in both the private and public sectors should be considered.
authors: Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI.
authors: M J
authors: MJ
authors: Upfal
authors: B
authors: B
authors: Markell
mesh_terms: D002983:Clinical Competence; D006801:Humans; D007586:Job Application; D016272:Occupational Health; D009787:Occupational Medicine / Q000193:education; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care; D015813:Substance Abuse Detection