Assistance for the Impaired Medical Student (AIMS)
Mark Singer, M.D.
Tel: (914) 493-1909
Physicians and medical students are at risk for the development of alcohol and substance abuse problems. Studies of alcohol and substance abuse by physicians indicate that the average age of detection is over 40. The problem may not be recognized until substantial damage has been done to physicians, their patients and their families. Through increased awareness of the tremendous social and medical problems from alcohol and substance abuse at an early time in their careers, and through the establishment of clear guidelines, it is hoped that students and physicians can get help and reduce the prevalence of these disorders. The AIMS program is designed to help achieve these goals.
1. AIMS is an acronym for Assistance for the Impaired Medical Student.
The program has four goals:
- To provide compassionate assistance to impaired students before they are irreversibly harmed.
- To provide help in a way that fully protects the rights of impaired students to receive treatment in strictest confidence.
- To assure that recovered students are able to continue their medical education without stigma or penalty.
- To protect patients and others from the harm that impaired students may cause.
2. Confidentiality
The issue of confidentiality is of utmost importance. The success of the AIMS program depends on student and faculty trust and confidence. Any breach of confidentiality would compromise these attitudes, thereby mitigating the program’s effectiveness. With this in mind, AIMS is designed to protect both the impaired student and those students who find it necessary to report an impaired colleague. At no time during the identification, evaluation or treatment process will any uninvolved individuals know the identity of the impaired student or the person who reported him/her.
AIMS Program
Why AIMS?
Physician impairment, often due to alcohol or other substances, has been increasingly recognized as a significant problem nationwide. Research suggests that 12-14 percent of all practicing physicians are or will become impaired during their careers. Of critical importance is the fact that a large percentage of these impaired physicians report that impairment began during their undergraduate or graduate years of medical training. The primary purpose of the AIMS program is to identify, prevent and treat impairments related to alcohol or other substance abuse.
Why Students May Become Impaired
The stresses of medical education due to tremendous workload, financial pressures and changes in lifestyle may seriously strain the normal development of healthy coping mechanisms of the medical student. Occasionally, however, a student may be unable to adapt successfully to these stresses and engage in harmful coping mechanisms such as use of alcohol or drugs. The impaired medical student is one whose behavior usually violates the regulations of New York Medical College and the accepted standards of the medical profession. Fortunately, drug and alcohol abuse are among the causes of impairment amenable to treatment. The earlier the problem is recognized the more quickly and easily it can be corrected.
Organization of the AIMS Program at New York Medical College
Mark C. Singer, M.D. ‘89, Director of Student Mental Health Services, serves as the overall supervisor of this program which is designed to ensure confidentiality and yet refer and evaluate an impaired student. Dr. Singer will field the initial referrals to the AIMS program and arrange for an evaluation by an addiction specialist when appropriate. If treatment is recommended by the specialist, Dr. Singer will monitor the treatment course in conjunction with the specialist.
Essential Elements of the AIMS Program
Prevention
It is ideal if students can recognize that they are developing an alcohol or drug abuse problem and seek assistance before they become seriously impaired. Dr. Singer is available for referral and educational resources to provide information and assistance to students seeking appropriate help when stresses are complicated by abuse of alcohol and substances. Students are encouraged to contact Dr. Singer if they have any problems. An Example of Prevention Linda, a married second-year student, has been finding it increasingly difficult to juggle the demands of marriage and medical school. She has been relying on alcohol to fall asleep. She has read about the AIMS program at the school and contacts Dr. Singer. At this point, Dr. Singer is able to direct Linda and her husband to the appropriate service to deal with their problem. After several sessions, Linda and her husband are better able to deal with each other’s needs. In the meantime, Linda has successfully completed her second year.
Identification of Impaired Students
Most likely, the impaired student will not voluntarily seek help and impairment will be detected by classmates, friends or family. The reporting person should relate the details of the situation to Dr. Singer. A concerned individual should contact Dr. Singer in the case of a potentially impaired student. If Dr. Singer feels the referral requires evaluation, the student will immediately be contacted to determine the accuracy of the information. Based upon the review, Dr. Singer will decide either that further steps are unnecessary or that it is appropriate to perform a full evaluation. At no time will the identity of the reporting individual be released without specific permission.
Page updated: May 11, 2012