Encouraging Workforce Diversity- Supporting Medical Students With Mobility and Sensory Disabilities

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

5-2024

Publication Title

Disability and Rehabilitation

Abstract

PURPOSE: This article is prepared by the Association of Professors of Gynecology and Obstetrics Undergraduate Medical Education Committee and provides educators recommendations for optimizing inclusive education for our students with disabilities. Medical educators are increasingly encountering students with disabilities and have the responsibility of ensuring requirements are met.

METHOD: Medical education committee members from the US and Canada reviewed the literature on disabilities in medical student education to identify best practices and key discussion points. An iterative review process was used to determine the contents of an informative paper.

RESULTS: Medical schools are required to develop technical standards for admission, retention, and graduation of their students to practice medicine safely and effectively with reasonable accommodation. A review of the literature and obstetrics and gynecology expert opinion formed a practical list of accommodation strategies and administrative steps to assist educators and students.

CONCLUSION: Medical schools must support the inclusion of students with disabilities. We recommend a collaborative approach to the interactive process of determining reasonable and effective accommodations that includes the students, a disability resource professional and faculty as needed. Recruiting and supporting medical students with a disability strengthens the diversity commitment and creates a more inclusive workforce.

Volume

46

Issue

9

First Page

1916

Last Page

1920

DOI

10.1080/09638288.2023.2201511

ISSN

1464-5165

PubMed ID

37073781

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