Philosophy

I.Q. -- Interesting Quote

Editorial Staff

Physician, Prescribe Thyself

"A (medical) physician who treats himself has a fool for a patient." -- Jason Christie, MD, commenting on his study that found 52 percent of medical residents at a university medical center self-prescribed.

Reference

Christie J, Rosen I, Bellini L et al. Prescription drug use and self-prescription among resident physicians. JAMA 1998;280:1253-55.

The study was conducted at the University of Pennsylvania Medical Center. Forty-two percent of the prescription medications were obtained from the hospital sample closet. Eleven percent of the residents got the drugs directly from pharmaceutical company representatives.

November 1998