Medical Questionnaire

[Beefheart 31]

Hi folks, just filling in the questionnaire ahead of my medical next week and am a little unsure on a few of the questions due to their vagueness...

1. Have you ever been hospitalized (including psychiatric admission)?

I've never spent any serious length of time in hospital, no. I once had a cyst removed from the side of my face as a teen or young twenty-something, but I didn't have to stay overnight or anything. I'm guessing I answer this 'NO', correct?

2. Have you ever misused or abused drugs?

Like the majority of adults (who are honest enough to admit it) I have smoked something a little stronger than cigarettes in my distant youth, but by no means do I do that kind of thing now, nor am I a drug-addict.
Just put 'NO' again?

3. Have you ever had an addiction to or abused alcohol?

Similarly, I've never been an alcoholic. But, according to recent medical opinion and standards, I have abused alcohol on a number of occasions during my lifetime. I'm guessing I'm just being over-analytical - 'No' again, right?

Sorry if this seems like a redundant post, but I was always brought up on the old adage that honesty is the best policy, and the questions are a little unclear to me.

Best

[Boiler 45,559]

More like Yes to all of them.

[Beefheart 31]

Are you being serious, or joking/being sarcastic?

[Boiler 45,559]

The questions are very straightforward, not sure where your confusion is.

[Soapies 18]

I'm actually really curious about this too. I had been in the hospital for a hour or so and hooked up to IVs for severe mono back in college... but surely they don't care about that? Or do they? I've never been taken by ambulance, I've never been there over night or full time ... Am I wasting their time by saying "yes" ?

And to the other questions as well... What do they mean by misused or abused drugs? Because I don't think I've ever "misused" any, nor did I ever abuse them... But in college, I did experiment a very very very little?

I'm also an honesty is the best policy kind of gal, but I don't know how to answer these questions either.

Edited July 16, 2014 by Soapies

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

Here's a real life example from the UK medical exam

Drugs - sorry, too late for the earlier poster, but I was asked specifically if I had ever taken drugs. I said "no, apart from a bit of experimentation at university", which given that that was 20 years ago, I thought would be the end of it. No! Apparently the US are really strict on this. So I had to explain my drugs taking - "um, tried dope at parties a few times over about a 6 month period and then didn't try it again after that as I really didn't like it". AND I had to have a drugs test (an extra £38). The doctor explained that they had to do it now, but that having the drugs test would prevent problems later, as these questions would be asked again when applying for AOS. Seemed somewhat OTT but if I can get it sorted now, I guess it makes things easier later.

I'm not sure about the doctor's adjustment of status remark since you won't be doing another medical exam for that. The question on the application says--

Have you EVER

Illicitly trafficked in any controlled substance, or knowingly assisted, abetted, or colluded in the illicit trafficking of any controlled substance?

[Beefheart 31]

The questions are very straightforward, not sure where your confusion is.

The definitions are clearly not that straightforward, and it seems your response offered little-to-no help whatsoever.

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

The definitions are clearly not that straightforward, and it seems your response offered little-to-no help whatsoever.

He offered that his opinion is YES to all three. Take or leave it. I would go with NO on hospital if I never spent the night. It's your form and interpretation to decide what you think.

You are going to fill out another questionnaire when you get there is worded slightly different. And furthermore you will likely be asked by the doctor if you ever tried drugs as well as how much you might typically drink in an evening. The questionnaire is to open the door for them to discuss things more in depth with you. People have been grilled who said they drank a bottle of wine on an evening out. It is possible they will give you a drug test if you admit experimental drug use. You might have a psychiatrist evaluate you if they perceive you drink too much. They might want a doctor report about the cyst if you tell them about it. That's just how it goes at some exams depending on the doctor you get. In general, anything you say yes to means they need to dig a little deeper into the subject to gather more information. It may delay your medical results if you need further evaluation, but probably won't get you denied for a visa.

[Boiler 45,559]

Simplistically I took Question one as being treated as an in patient in UK terms. I put it down, not sure why they ask, but there are lots of odd questions they ask that seem to have no logic.

Drugs is pretty simple, both the terms misuse or abuse. Would include for example prescription drugs.

There is a clinical definition of alcoholism, abuse is more subjective and varies from person to person.

[hamstersad 0]

Here's a real life example from the UK medical exam

I'm not sure about the doctor's adjustment of status remark since you won't be doing another medical exam for that. The question on the application says--

Have you EVER

Illicitly trafficked in any controlled substance, or knowingly assisted, abetted, or colluded in the illicit trafficking of any controlled substance?

Did the "real life example" guy get his visa? or was he put on a 1 year ban?

[Berty 74]

If everyone began ticking 'yes' to being in hospital for something like cyst-removal (as opposed to, say, psychological issues or self-harm) it would be a colossal waste of time for the medical staff as much as those going through the medical. Nous is key, here; it's an all-encompassing and thus rather lazy question ultimately seeking clarity on more serious issues. Of course, if you want to take it at complete face value then there's your answer too.

Whilst people can try and play down alcohol addictions (or outright lie to themselves), in a general sense I would be amazed if many people ticked 'yes' to abusing alcohol because of an occasional night out - "abuse" as a word is hazy regardless. That that how you will.

Edited August 22, 2014 by Berty

[Ketsuban 1,034]

I would think being hospitalised means being admitted to hospital for at least one night. You'd know if you were admitted, because you'd be given a wristband and taken to a ward or a medical assessment unit pending a place on a ward.

If you went to A&E and went back home after being seen to, that in my opinion doesn't count as hospitalisation. Being seen as an outpatient also wouldn't count.

Edited August 23, 2014 by Ketsuban

[Sheri&Rich 25]

Hi All,

I might be able to offer another perspective on this. As far as being hospitalised, I went to my Doctor and asked her to review my medical records for any admission lasting 1 night or longer and came up with three. One for dental abscess, one for gastroenteritis leading to dehydration and one for a tonsillectomy. All were years ago but I will be answering yes to the question and I am taking copies of the exact entries in my medical records given to me by my Doctor.

As far as drugs.....never have......never will.

Alcohol.........I am sure nearly all of us have all been drunk in our lives, propping up a bar or trying to chat up a prospective partner but I think the question is more directed to alcoholism and not part of growing up.....

Regards to you all.

Richard