Invited Commentary

Prevalence of Criminal Behaviors in an Internal-Medicine-Resident Clinic Population

Authors: Qasim Khalil, MD

Abstract

While reading the study "Prevalence of Criminal Behaviors in an Internal-Medicine-Resident Clinic Population1" I reminisced about my days of residency. I recall how unexciting the clinic was during the first year. At that time, it seemed like the majority of my clinic patients were non-compliant and/or had substance abuse issues. These patients usually had lost their primary care providers because of loss of insurance or other problems. I do not recall ever specifically thinking about my patients' involvement in criminal activity, but now as I think back, I am sure a handful probably had a police record. By my third year in residency, I felt more comfortable dealing with "difficult" patients who seemed more interested in getting refills on their "pain medications" than in talking about actual health issues such as how to lower their blood pressure or HbA1c (hemoglobin A1c) toward the goal.

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References

1. Sansone RA, Lam C, Wiedermann MW. Prevalence of criminal behaviors in an internal-medicine-resident clinic population. South Med J 2011;104:695-698.
 
2. US Department of Justice. Substance abuse and crime. Available at: http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/programs/substance.htm. Accessed June 15, 2011.
 
3. NCVRW Resource guide. Available at: http://www.mass.gov/Eeops/docs/doc/substance_abuse_and_victimization.pdf. Accessed June 15, 2011.
 
4. James D, Glaze L. Mental health problems of prison and jail inmates. Bureau of Justice Statistics Special Report. US Department of Justice. Available at: http://bjs.ojp.usdoj.gov/content/pub/pdf/mhppji.pdf. Accessed June 15, 2011.