title: Prevalence of stimulant use in a sample of US medical students.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Stimulant use for academic performance is widespread among college students, but less is known about use among students obtaining advanced degrees.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this cross-sectional survey, we measured the prevalence and demographic correlates of prescription stimulant use among a sample of US medical students.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The lifetime prevalence of stimulant use in this sample of 144 medical students was 20%, and prevalence of use during medical school was 15%. More white students (32%) than Asian students (7%) had used stimulants. Nine percent of respondents reported an attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) diagnosis, and those diagnosed were more than 30 times more likely to have used stimulants compared with those without a diagnosis. Of those who had taken stimulants, 83% reported using them specifically for cognitive performance enhancement such as studying better and staying awake longer while on clinical duties.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study suggests a high prevalence of stimulant use among medical students compared with the general population. Personal experience with these medications as medical students could impact physician attitudes and prescribing patterns toward patients seeking help for ADHD-related symptoms.
authors: Yale Child Study Center, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA. jadon.webb@yale.edu
authors: Jadon R
authors: JR
authors: Webb
authors: Mark A
authors: MA
authors: Valasek
authors: Carol S
authors: CS
authors: North
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003710:Demography; D055030:Drug Users / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009042:Motivation; D018697:Nootropic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D058573:Performance-Enhancing Substances / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D055553:Prescription Drugs / Q000008:administration & dosage; D015995:Prevalence; D013337:Students, Medical / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants; D018697:Nootropic Agents; D058573:Performance-Enhancing Substances; D055553:Prescription Drugs