Meeks and her colleagues, including senior author Bonnielin K. Swenor, Ph.D., M.P.H., of the Johns Hopkins Universitys Wilmer Eye Institute, note that their results arent necessarily representative of all medical schools, because of lower participation in the survey by schools in the south and the studys focus on allopathic schools.

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However, the schools that participated represent more than 41,000 medical students in 2018.

Doctors with disabilities have a valuable perspective that can uniquely drive scientific innovation and improve patient care," says Swenor. "While our results signal a promising increase in representation of persons with disabilities in medicine, further work is needed to determine if representation translates to inclusion, which is critical to achieving diversity in medicine."

The new study comes at a time of increased attention to the issue of disability and health among medical trainees.

The AAMC is committed to working with leaders at the nations medical schools and teaching hospitals to shape the culture, establishing accountability and allocating necessary resources to enhance access and inclusion for individuals with disabilities, said Geoffrey Young, Ph.D., senior director of student affairs and programs at the AAMC.

The 2018 report, Accessibility, Inclusion, and Action in Medical Education: Lived Experiences of Learners and Physicians With Disabilities, served as the first comprehensive examination of the experiences of medical learners with disabilities and gave a voice to medical students, residents and physicians with physical, psychological, sensory, learning or chronic health disabilities, he says. Since the publication of this report, we have begun collecting data on the percentage of students who self-identify as having a disability and whether they requested and received accommodations. We are using this data to provide enhanced support to students.

Meeks own institution has made a commitment to accommodating admitted students with disabilities.

SEE ALSO: A Seat at the Table: Why U-Ms Medical School Wants More Students with Disabilities

At Michigan, we are committed to a more inclusive learning environment in the fullest sense of the word, says Rajesh Mangrulkar, M.D., the associate dean for medical student education at the U-M Medical School. The crucial, ongoing research that Dr. Meeks and her team are doing show that we are beginning to move the needle on understanding the lived experience for our medical students who have both apparent and non-apparent disabilities. And while we are making progress, far more work is required for us to build the culture for these students to thrive and develop; all for the betterment of their future patients.

"Students with disabilities who have been admitted to medical school have already shown academic excellence to a significant enough extent to make them attractive candidates for admission," adds Steven Gay, M.D., M.S., assistant dean for admissions at the U-M Medical School. "A better understanding of their needs and potential accommodations they may require works to not only to insure their success, but to insure better healthcare to all of the diverse populations we hope to serve."

The authors are already conducting further research that will go beyond documenting the current rates of disability disclosure and accommodation. Theyre seeking to better understand issues such as the career trajectories and experiences of medical students with disabilities, and the potential benefit to patients of having a doctor who has a disability.

In addition to Meeks and Swenor, the papers authors include Ben Case, M.P.H., and Melissa Plegue, M.A., of U-M, and Kurt Herzer, M.D., Ph.D., M.Sc., of Johns Hopkins.

Paper cited: Change in Prevalence of Disabilities and Accommodation Practices Among US Medical Schools, 2016 vs 2019, JAMA. DOI: 10.1001/jama.2019.15372

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More Medical Students Are Disclosing Their Disabilities, and Schools Are Responding, Study Finds - Michigan Medicine