Providing Equitable Access to Health Care for Individuals with Disabilities: An Important Challenge for Medical Education.

Abstract

In a recent national survey, over 50% of physicians reported not feeling confident in their ability to provide care to individuals with disabilities. This finding is troubling as physicians are required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (1990) to ensure their practice is accessible to individuals with disabilities. This commentary addresses the need for including disability in medical education and to provide inclusive and quality care for individuals with disabilities. We offer four recommendations to enhance medical school curricula that would educate medical students to provide equitable health services to individuals with disabilities: 1) embed disability training throughout medical education; 2) educate medical students to recognize multiple models of disability; 3) include education and experience with universal design and supported decision-making; and 4) include individuals with all types of disabilities in medical education. Including disability education for medical students should better prepare future physicians for feeling confident in their ability to provide care to individuals with disabilities.