STUDENT HEALTH POLICIES OF US MEDICAL-SCHOOLS

Background. Medical students are at risk of exposure to bloodborne pat hogens, yet few data are available about U.S. medical schools' policie s to protect students. Method. A cross-sectional survey of tile studen t affairs deans at the 126 U.S. medical schools was conducted in May 1 994. A confidential questionnaire inquired about policies regarding va ccination for hepatitis B virus (HBV), blood and body-fluid exposures, universal precautions training, and health and disability insurance f or students. Results. A total of 108 (86%) of the schools participated in the survey. Most (99, 92%) required either HBV vaccination, eviden ce of immunity, or a signed waiver refusing vaccination. Nearly all (9 4, 87%) required health insurance, and almost all (101, 94%) offered a plan (at a mean cost of $690 annually), but fewer schools (69, 64%) o ffered disability insurance. The schools frequently held students resp onsible for the costs of HBV vaccination (73, 68%), postexposure serol ogic resting (22, 20%), and treatment of training-related medical prob lems (43, 40%). Conclusion. Most medical schools comply with current r ecommendations for preventing training-related exposures to bloodborne pathogens, illness, and injury, but students face a substantial finan cial responsibility for these services at a time when many have large debts. Many schools do not have disability insurance readily available for students. Medical schools should review their student health poli cies to protect students adequately.