These guidelines are intended to assist medical schools in the development of policies and programs to insure appropriate care for any medical students who are impaired due to chemical abuse.
The AAMC and its Group on Student Affairs encourage all medical schools to:
- Promote student wellness through professional educational and prevention programs concerning chemical dependency and alcohol use.
- Recognize that chemical dependency (including alcoholism) is a treatable disease that affects all of society.
- Develop an appropriate program to assist students who are impaired due to chemical abuse and publicize it on a yearly basis to all students.
- Facilitate the potential for recovery for students who are impaired due to chemical abuse and provide support for students in seeking assistance in handling co-dependent relationships.
- Insure appropriate levels of confidentiality for individuals seeking information, referral and treatment.
- Provide an environment in which recovering impaired students are able to continue their medical education without stigma, and where possible, facilitate transition to licensure.
Developed by the AAMC Group on Student Affairs, July 1992 Approved: AAMC Executive Council, September 1992