PRESCRIPTION DRUG-USE AND SELF-PRESCRIPTION AMONG RESIDENT PHYSICIANS

Context.-Self-prescription is common among practicing physicians, but little is known about the practice among resident physicians. Objectiv e.-To determine prescription drug use and self-prescription among US r esident physicians. Design and Setting.-Anonymous mail survey of all r esident physicians in 4 US categorical internal medicine training prog rams in February 1997. Main Outcome Measures.-Self-reported use of hea lth care services and prescription medications and how they were obtai ned. Results.-A total of 316 (83%) of 381 residents responded; 244 res idents (78%) reported using at least 1 prescription medicine and 162 r esidents (52%) reported self-prescribing medications. Twenty-five perc ent of all medications and 42% of self-prescribed medications were obt ained from a sample cabinet; 7% of all medications and 11% of self-pre scribed medications were obtained directly from a pharmaceutical compa ny representative. Conclusions.-Self-prescription is common among resi dent physicians. Although self-prescription is difficult to evaluate, the source of these medications and the lack of oversight of medicatio n use raise questions about the practice.