Assessing Medical Student Perceptions Regarding People With Disabilities: A Cross-Sectional Two-Site Survey Study

Abstract

People with disabilities (PWDs) experience disproportionate negative health outcomes, partially stemming from compromised healthcare linked to limited disability education and training in medical school. This research aimed to inform efforts to bolster disability-related medical education with the long-term aim of improving healthcare access for PWD. This cross-sectional study featured an anonymous Qualtrics survey completed by 277 medical students at two large U.S. medical schools in Winter 2023 (School 1: n = 793; School 2: n = 850). The survey development process featured a collaboration among seven faculty- and doctoral-level researchers, physicians, residents, and medical students with and without lived disability experience across both institutions. This process culminated in an original survey assessing 1) training and confidence regarding PWDs; 2) perceptions of disability health-related quality of life (HRQL); 3) stigma and bias regarding PWDs; and 4) disability-related knowledge. More than 80% of students reported that they would benefit from additional disability education as future physicians, that understanding PWDs is valuable, that they would welcome PWDs into their practice, and that PWDs are often treated unfairly in the healthcare system. Although more than 80% reported that they had received sufficient training and would be comfortable navigating a clinical encounter for a patient with hypertension, less than half reported the same for patients with spinal cord injury, autism, or low vision. Respondents rated PWDs to have significantly lower Health-related quality of life (HRQL) relative to individuals without disabilities, and some endorsed perspectives that reflected negative perceptions of disabilities. Approximately one-third responded incorrectly to test questions about the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Findings underscore the need for increased focus on disabilities in medical school curricula, particularly related to addressing stigma, ableism, and readiness for clinical encounters with PWDs. Future studies should feature larger samples and identify opportunities for enhancing standardized medical curricula.