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Physical disability among physicians: an analysis of 259 cases
1Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, St. Luke's/Roosevelt Hospital Center, New York, N.Y. 10019.
International Disability Studies
|January 1, 1987
Summary
Physically disabled physicians are actively practicing medicine, often in internal medicine, family practice, or psychiatry. These findings highlight the significant capabilities of disabled doctors across various medical specialties.
Area of Science:
- Medical Education
- Disability Studies
- Physician Workforce
Background:
- Limited data exists on the prevalence and practice patterns of physicians with physical disabilities.
- Previous literature may underestimate the number of physicians with disabilities and their professional capabilities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present data on physicians and medical students with physical disabilities.
- To explore the specialties and practice status of disabled physicians.
Main Methods:
- Data collected from 259 physicians and medical students with diverse physical disabilities.
- Analysis of specialty training and current medical practice.
Main Results:
- Approximately 75% of disabled physicians were in active medical practice.
- Internal medicine, family practice, and psychiatry were the most common specialties.
- Neurological disorders (spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis, stroke, post-polio weakness) comprised over half the sample.
Conclusions:
- Physically disabled physicians are more numerous than previously suggested.
- Disabled physicians are capable of practicing effectively in a wide range of medical specialties.
- These findings challenge previous assumptions about the limitations faced by disabled medical professionals.
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