According to a Journal of the American Medical Association study published in December 2016, 3 percent of medical school students have disabilities — although this may be an underestimation, since in my experience many students with mental illnesses don’t report their condition. Students’ disabilities most commonly are attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, learning and psychological disabilities and less commonly sensory and mobility disabilities.
[Learn more about applying to medical school.]
By disclosing a disability, students may receive reasonable accommodations during their studies. But, not surprising, prospective students may fear negative consequences with disclosing their disability on their application, even though it is illegal for schools to discriminate. Before you avoid this altogether, consider these tips.
1. Think about the benefits: If you benefited from accommodations as an undergraduate, it makes sense to at least report your disability to the medical school’s disability officer after matriculation.
Once you speak to the disability officer, the school is required to explore what you need and how to provide reasonable accommodations. The school can also review your rights, describe available accommodations and give you advice when you apply for board examinations.
The school will consider questions such as why you are requesting accommodations, how challenging it will be to provide them, whether there are valid reasons to deny your request and whether there are effective alternatives. These questions may sound discouraging, but in my experience school officials want students to succeed.
One young man, for example, could no longer walk following an accident. The school provided significant accommodations for him, including an expensive device that allowed him to be upright and learn surgical procedures.
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Once you report your disability, you may request accommodations, such as more time for a test or the ability to test in a room without distraction. If you have impaired motor skills, speaking skills or sensory ability, you are entitled to receive accommodations.
For example, some students may require a special stethoscope to hear cardiac changes. Others may need enlarged print or braille text. Still others may require sign language interpreters, tutors or special classroom equipment.
If you approach the disability officer early, you will have time to gather any required documentation. Your records are important for determining accommodations early in medical school and may be necessary when applying for your board examination.
2. Be aware that re-evaluation may be necessary: Understand that you may be required to undergo a re-evaluation — this may be required, for example, when your documentation is inadequate, old or doesn’t state the accommodations needed.
This may also be the case if your documentation doesn’t fulfill the criteria of an ADHD diagnosis and prescription for stimulants. If this is the case, you won’t be able to get your medications until you undergo a re-evaluation, which could take several months and possibly extend into the school year.
3. Consider the pitfalls of not reporting: Although you may be tempted not to disclose a disability — or not report one early enough — that decision carries several potential consequences.
If a need arises during medical school and you haven’t disclosed your disability, accommodations may not be available for you quickly enough. The school is also only obligated to accommodate you after you have reported the disability. If you wait until after you’ve failed an important exam, for instance, accommodations cannot be applied retrospectively.
Finally, keep in mind that your accommodations may be delayed if you are referred for re-evaluation.
4. Choose a school that’s best for your needs: As you consider whether to disclose your disability, be sure that you have also chosen a medical school that will best meet your needs.
First, be sure to review each school’s technical standards that you will be required to meet, with or without accommodations. Keep in mind that these vary by institution and can change each year; schools are required to notify students of the changes.
[Discover six signs of a compassionate medical school.]
Second, review accommodation limits. Schools are not required to offer accommodations that fundamentally change their curriculum, especially with respect to clinical care.
Schools also are not mandated to permit part-time attendance when full time is required. That is not to say that a student needs to attend school if they have a viral infection, but it is less likely a school would allow a student to participate on a part-time basis over a prolonged time.
According to the JAMA study, testing accommodations are most common during basic science training. Receiving accommodations during the clinical years is more challenging, and fewer medical schools reported offering these.
If you dream of becoming a doctor, don’t let a disability dissuade you from applying to medical school. The Association of American Medical Colleges website offers a wealth of information, including case law decisions, and is worth reviewing to see how students have benefited from the Americans with Disabilities Act, Section 504.
The AAMC describes all the steps, from application to graduation, and explains important details about decisions. Do your homework and connect with other students in similar circumstances — and you’ll be well prepared to make a decision that’s right for you.
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4 Tips for Medical School Applicants With Disabilities originally appeared on usnews.com
