Tuberculosis screening in medical students.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The Liaison Committee on Medical Education and the Association of American Medical Colleges have issued recommendations for screening medical students for tuberculosis. This report describes the initiation of a tuberculosis screening program at the F. Edward Hébert School of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USUHS).

METHODS: A screening program was instituted in 1993 that included intradermal purified protein derivative, the "booster phenomenon," inter-reader variability, risk factor analysis, and administrative policy to improve compliance.

RESULTS: There were 501 students screened (classes of 1996-1998). Initially, 19 (3.8%) students' tests were classified as positive, and 14 additional students tested positive when tested again 2 months later, due to the booster phenomenon. The subsequent conversion rate was 2.5% for those students who were followed for the next 3 years of medical school. All these students were placed on prevention therapy with isoniazid. No active cases of tuberculosis have been identified since the inception of the screening program.

DISCUSSION: Only recently has the importance of screening medical students been emphasized. The USUHS program was designed to address the factors for a successful screening program, such as increased compliance, standardization, and documentation. With modifications according to resources, medical schools can offer an efficient tuberculosis screening program to students, faculty, and staff.