The Process of Creative Resilience: Experiences of Medical Students with Disabilities and Accessibility

Abstract

In light of Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005, medical schools witnessed increased number of students with disabilities matriculating in their program. However, the administrators face challenges because ensuring accessibility in dynamic clinical settings may not always be feasible or ideal while considering the resource implication and patient safety. There is little consensus and established guidance on how to provide responsible accommodations for otherwise-qualified medical students with disabilities. To understand the development of resilience in medical students with disabilities as they confront potential institutional barriers and social or self-imposed stigma, we asked: how do medical students with disabilities identify and communicate their learning needs to negotiate necessary accommodations with the Student Accessibility Services and/or the MD program? The Constructivist Grounded Theory approach by Charmaz (2006) served as the methodological guide. In-depth individual interviews were conducted capturing the students’ perspective on accommodations arranged by the program, inclusion challenges in medical education and their recommendations on how to enhance program accessibility. Three major themes emerged: 1) creating a dialogue to devise learner-centered accommodation strategies, 2) recognizing available extrinsic and intrinsic resources, and 3) optimizing available extrinsic and intrinsic resources. Self-reflection was the key underlying ingredient driving students’ resilience development in partnership with inclusive learning environment and supportive faculty. Student diversity present in the medical schools merits further research. Diminishing stigma towards health professionals with disabilities is imperative. Endorsement of cross-departmental and institutional collaboration that enables dissemination of cost-effective and comprehensive accommodation strategies is recommended.