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Barriers to USMLE Step-1 accommodations: Students with Type 1 Diabetes
Emily L Serata1, Emily J Noonan2, Kristina H Petersen3
1Cooper Medical School of Rowan University, Camden, NJ, United States of America.
Plos One
|June 18, 2024
Summary
Students with Type-1 Diabetes experienced significant barriers during the United States Medical Licensing Exam (USMLE) Step-1 accommodations process. Many faced diabetes-related obstacles on exam day, regardless of receiving accommodations.
Area of Science:
- Medical Education
- Disability Studies
- Endocrinology
Background:
- The United States Medical Licensing Exam (USMLE) Step-1 is a critical examination for medical doctorate (MD) students.
- Students with disabilities often face challenges navigating the accommodations application process.
- Type-1 Diabetes (T1D) presents unique management needs that may impact exam performance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the experiences of medical students with T1D who applied for USMLE Step-1 accommodations.
- To identify barriers and inequities within the accommodations application process for students with T1D.
- To understand the impact of accommodations on exam day experiences for students with T1D.
Main Methods:
- A survey was distributed to MD students with a T1D diagnosis enrolled in LCME-accredited programs.
- Data collection included basic counts and qualitative inductive analysis of survey responses.
- Participants reported on their experiences with the Step-1 accommodations process and exam day.
Main Results:
- 16 participants responded to the survey; 11 applied for accommodations, 5 did not.
- Of those who applied, 7 received accommodations, while 4 did not.
- A majority of students (68.8%) experienced diabetes-related barriers on exam day, irrespective of accommodation status.
- Qualitative themes included frustration, anger, and stress related to the accommodations process.
Conclusions:
- The USMLE Step-1 accommodations process presents significant barriers for students with T1D.
- Students with T1D encountered obstacles on exam day, even when accommodations were granted.
- There is a need to address inequities and improve the accommodations process for students with chronic health conditions.
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