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

Background: The number of medical students disclosing a disability is lower than the number of disabled doctors. Aims: 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. Methods: This was a cross-sectional questionnaire study of all medical students registered at the University of Aberdeen in October 2007 (n=944). Results: 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. Conclusions: 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.