12 Tips for Improving Disability Education in Undergraduate Medical Education

Background and/or Objectives: Persons with disabilities (PWD) make up the largest minority group in the United States. However, they face substantial healthcare disparities due to complex medical needs and barriers in accessing care, further exacerbating the situation. Medical educators can play a critical role in addressing these gaps by integrating disability awareness into medical training programs.

Design: This research draws from experience in both undergraduate and graduate medical education to present 12 comprehensive tips for medical educators to incorporate disability awareness effectively.

Setting : These tips are rooted in interprofessional learning, using PWD as educators and are based on a recent and successful disability curriculum implemented at the undergraduate medical education level.

Participants : N/A

Interventions: N/A

Main Outcome Measures: Strategies include identifying knowledge gaps, using PWD in curriculum planning and implementation, utilizing diverse clinicians experienced with disability care, incorporating interprofessional education, and promoting diversity and inclusion.

Results: These tips advocate for experiential learning, access to appropriate equipment and facilities, introducing students to disability policies and proper communication, fostering open dialogue, embedding reflection, and creating longitudinal experiences throughout medical training.

Conclusions: By embracing these tips, medical educators can equip future physicians with the skills and mindset needed to provide both compassionate and effective care for PWD, which ultimately reduces healthcare disparities and improves outcomes for this large population.