Background Checks For Medical School Applicants

By Dr. Brian McDonough, Medical Editor

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - It can be very difficult to get into medical school. Students have to take standardized tests, undergo personal interviews, a careful review of extra-curricular activities, and of course, detailed analysis of grades obtained in college. These are all very important, because it takes a tremendous amount of work, intelligence, and motivation to make it through medical school. But in recent years there has been another hoop to go through -- background checks for legal problems.

Clearly, physicians are placed in a role of tremendous trust, and it's essential that every attempt is made to try and root out problems as early as possible. At the present time, the biggest concerns are domestic abuse, child abuse and sexual misconduct.