The story of the pot-smoking neurosurgeon is more complicated than you think

[groovedaddy]

A brief article recently posted the name and picture of a neurosurgery resident accused of smoking marijuana on the job. Dr. Gunjan Goel, MD is a neurosurgery resident at University of California, San Diego, and the list of her awards and publications alone is almost as long as my entire CV. The article is brief, and rather uninformative. The only facts that are known are this: The Medical Board of California investigator demanded a hair sample, and in response Dr. Goel acknowledged smoking 3 to 4 occasions over a six-month period, on her days off. This incident touches on a lot of complicated issues- intoxication on the job, surgeon quality and competence, and not least of all anti-drug enforcement efforts.

http://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2015/09/the-story-of-the-pot-smoking-neurosurgeon-is-more-complicated-than-you-think.html

[NV Whino]

1. It doesn't say why they were investigating her in the first place

If it was obvious that her cognitive ability was impaired, then she shouldn't be practicing. If she only partook of the weed occasionally and while she was off duty, would that affect her cognitive ability to the point where she needed to be investigated.

That said, give me a pot smoking surgeon rather than a drinking surgeon any day.

[valerief]

2. I was almost certain this was going to be about Ben Carson. I mean, really, if that

guy isn't eternally high, I don't know who is.