Establishing a Deaf and American Sign Language Inclusive Residency Program

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Inclusivity in Medicine
• Disability Studies

Background:

• Diversity in medical residency programs is crucial for addressing disparities.
• Physicians with disabilities are underrepresented in medical training.
• No established strategies exist for training Deaf physicians using American Sign Language (ASL).

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and implement a model for an inclusive residency program for Deaf trainees.
• To create an adaptable framework for medical institutions seeking to train physicians with disabilities.
• To share strategies for integrating Deaf physicians into existing residency structures.

Main Methods:

• A 5-step transition process was developed and implemented for a radiation oncology residency program.
• Key stakeholders, including the Deaf trainee, interpreters, leadership, faculty, and staff, were engaged.
• A training consultant was contracted, and accessible training materials were developed.
• Workspace accommodations were optimized for the Deaf resident.

Main Results:

• A Deaf, ASL-signing resident was successfully integrated into the radiation oncology residency program.
• The 5-step process facilitated a collaborative and effective transition.
• The program established a replicable model for inclusivity.

Conclusions:

• The developed 5-step transition process provides an effective model for creating inclusive residency programs for Deaf physicians.
• This initiative can be adapted for trainees with other disabilities.
• Institutions can utilize this model to enhance diversity and accessibility in medical training.