title: Substance use and attitudes on professional conduct among medical students: a single-institution study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study sought to examine how specific substance-use behavior, including nonmedical prescription stimulant (NPS) use, among U.S. medical students correlates with their attitudes and beliefs toward professionalism.
  
  
  METHODS
  An anonymous survey was distributed to all medical students at a private medical university (46% response rate). Participants were asked to report alcohol and marijuana use patterns, NPS use, stress levels, and history of suicidal ideation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Over one-third of medical students reported excessive drinking during the past month, and 5% reported NPS use during the past year. Students who endorsed such behavior were significantly less likely to view it as unprofessional and warranting intervention. A large number of students seemed unfamiliar with how to help a classmate with an NPS use problem.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Medical students' substance use behaviors appear to influence attitudes and beliefs toward professional issues regarding substance use.
authors: Dept. of Emergency Medicine, Georgetown University Hospital/Washington Hospital Center, Washington, DC, USA. daisichoi@gmail.com
authors: Daisi
authors: D
authors: Choi
authors: Vera
authors: V
authors: Tolova
authors: Edward
authors: E
authors: Socha
authors: Charles P
authors: CP
authors: Samenow
mesh_terms: D004992:Ethics, Medical; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013337:Students, Medical / Q000523:psychology*; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States