Medical students' attitudes towards disability and support for disability in medicine

The number of medical students disclosing a disability is lower than the number of disabled doctors.

This study aimed to examine rates and types of disability in medical students, whether students disclosed this disability and their support needs, and, if not, possible reasons for non-disclosure.

This was a cross-sectional questionnaire study of all medical students registered at the University of Aberdeen in October 2007 (n = 944).

Six percent of respondents considered they had a disability on application to medical school, but only 4% had disclosed this on admission. After reading the legal definition of disability, the percentage of respondents considering themselves as having a disability increased to 13%. Disabilities included: specific learning difficulties; mental health issues; sensory impairment; chronic illness; and mobility problems. Challenges to their studies due to disability were reported by nearly half of the disabled respondents but two-thirds had not sought support. Twelve percent reported experiencing discrimination due to their disability. Broader attitudes to disability indicated that many (75%) respondents believed some disabilities would prevent the study of medicine.

Non-disclosure of disability in medical students may be due to several factors including narrow definitions of disability and negative attitudes towards disability from the wider student body.